I'm trying to publish a website for an old console that only supports HTTP links. This is my first time putting a website online, and I'm struggling to find accurate information. Is there a way to host a simple website as HTTP, especially using a free service?
7 Answers
You mentioned it's a simple site with just HTML and CSS, right? That means it should be straightforward. If you’re designing specifically for the DSi, keep that in mind since it doesn’t support HTTPS.
If you want to go with HTTP, just make sure not to use any SSL certificates. You’ll need to check your domain provider's settings to ensure there's nothing forcing your site to use HTTPS, such as Cloudflare settings or automatic redirects. Just serve your site as is without any self-signed certificates. That should help!
I haven't purchased a domain yet, I'm looking for free options. Do those force HTTP sites to be HTTPS?
It's important to clarify what you're trying to achieve. A quick Google search for 'how to deploy a website' might give you useful tips.
I want to create something specifically for the DSi, and its browser doesn’t support HTTPS, which is why I need to find a way to host my site as HTTP.
Finding hosts that allow non-HTTPS traffic is getting tough, but if you're in a bind, you could consider self-hosting. It might take some effort, though!
Self-hosting sounds great, but my PC can't run 24/7. I might have to wait until I finish school to set that up.
GitHub Pages typically defaults to HTTPS, but it’s worth checking if they let you use HTTP directly. If you’re just making a simple site, that could be an option for you.
Does that mean I can access my site directly via HTTP, or do I need to go through GitHub, which is HTTPS?
You might want to check out Surge.sh. It allows you to deploy websites for free but will handle HTTPS for you if you use their free domain. If you use your own domain, just set it up without an SSL certificate, and it should work fine!
You could give infinityfree.com a shot. They offer free hosting, and I believe they allow HTTP websites. Just be sure to confirm that!
Exactly! I only learned HTML and CSS in the last 11 days, and I'm targeting the DSi's browser.