✅ SETUP CHECKLIST

✅ SETUP CHECKLIST

Simple step-by-step checklist to get your website live

Print this out or keep it open while you work through the setup!

📦 PART 1: GitHub Repository Setup

  • Create GitHub account (if you don’t have one) → Go to github.com and sign up

  • Create new repository → Click “+” icon → “New repository” → Name: belltorres.com → Make it Public → Don’t initialize with README → Click “Create repository”

  • Upload all website files → Click “uploading an existing file” → Drag ALL folders and files → Commit message: “Initial website setup” → Click “Commit changes” → ⏱️ Wait for upload to complete

🌐 PART 2: Enable GitHub Pages

  • Go to repository Settings → Click “Settings” tab at top

  • Navigate to Pages section → Click “Pages” in left sidebar

  • Configure source → Source: “Deploy from a branch” → Branch: “main” → Folder: “/ (root)” → Click “Save”

  • Wait for deployment → Refresh page after 1-2 minutes → Look for “Your site is live at…” message

  • Test your site → Click the URL (https://yourusername.github.io) → Verify homepage loads → Check all pages work → Test on mobile device

✅ YOUR SITE IS LIVE! (even before custom domain)

🎨 PART 3: Initial Customization

Update Site Configuration

  • Edit _config.yml → Update site title and description → Add your email → Add social media handles → Change colors (optional)

Update Family Information

  • Edit _data/family.yml → Update family member bios → Update interests and hobbies → Update family story

Replace Photos

  • Upload your photos to assets/images/ folders → Hero image: assets/images/hero-family.jpg → Family portraits: assets/images/family/ → Gallery photos: assets/images/gallery/

  • Update photo references → Edit _data/gallery.yml with your photo info → Edit _data/travels.yml with your travel photos

Update Content

  • Update travel destinations in _data/travels.yml
  • Update hobbies information in _data/hobbies.yml
  • Delete example blog posts (optional)
  • Write your first blog post (optional)

⏱️ After each change, wait 1-2 minutes for site to rebuild

🌍 PART 4: Connect Custom Domain (belltorres.com)

At Your Domain Registrar

  • Log in to your domain registrar → Where you bought belltorres.com → Find DNS settings

  • Add A records → Add 4 A records pointing to: → 185.199.108.153 → 185.199.109.153 → 185.199.110.153 → 185.199.111.153

  • Add CNAME record → Type: CNAME → Host: www → Points to: yourusername.github.io

  • Save DNS changes → ⏱️ Wait 24-48 hours for propagation

In GitHub

  • Add custom domain → Go to Settings → Pages → Custom domain: belltorres.com → Click “Save” → Wait for DNS check to pass

  • Enable HTTPS (after DNS works) → Check “Enforce HTTPS” → May need to wait a few hours for this option

Verify Domain Works

  • Test all URLs: - [ ] http://belltorres.com - [ ] https://belltorres.com - [ ] http://www.belltorres.com - [ ] https://www.belltorres.com

✅ YOUR CUSTOM DOMAIN IS LIVE!

🔍 PART 5: Testing & Verification

Desktop Testing

  • Test on Chrome/Safari/Firefox
  • Click all navigation links
  • Test gallery filtering
  • Read a blog post
  • Check images load

Mobile Testing

  • Test on your phone
  • Open mobile menu
  • Scroll through pages
  • Check image galleries
  • Verify responsiveness

SEO & Performance

  • Check site appears in Google (takes a few days)
  • Test with Google PageSpeed Insights
  • Verify social media preview works

📝 PART 6: Optional Enhancements

  • Add Google Analytics → Get tracking ID → Add to _config.yml

  • Set up RSS feed reader → Your blog has an automatic RSS feed → Located at /feed.xml

  • Share with family and friends → Send them the link!

  • Create posting schedule → Plan monthly blog updates → Schedule photo uploads

  • Backup your content → GitHub is your backup! → Download local copy occasionally

🎯 30-Day Maintenance Plan

Week 1: Initial Setup

  • Complete Parts 1-4 above
  • Upload core family photos
  • Write first blog post

Week 2: Content Addition

  • Add more gallery photos
  • Update hobby details
  • Add travel stories

Week 3: Refinement

  • Adjust colors/styling if needed
  • Add more blog posts
  • Get feedback from family

Week 4: Promotion

  • Share on social media
  • Email friends and family
  • Consider SEO optimization

🆘 Quick Troubleshooting

Site not loading?

  • Wait 3 minutes and refresh
  • Clear browser cache
  • Check GitHub Actions tab for errors

Images not showing?

  • Check file paths in YAML files
  • Verify filenames match exactly
  • Ensure images are uploaded

Domain not working?

  • Wait 24-48 hours for DNS
  • Check DNS with dnschecker.org
  • Verify DNS records are correct

Need help?

  • Check README.md for detailed instructions
  • Review DEPLOYMENT.md for setup steps
  • Check GitHub Pages documentation

📅 Ongoing Maintenance Checklist

Monthly:

  • Write 1-2 blog posts
  • Add new photos to gallery
  • Update any changed family info
  • Check all links still work

Quarterly:

  • Review and update About page
  • Add new travel destinations
  • Backup website files
  • Check site performance

Yearly:

  • Update family photos
  • Review and refresh design
  • Add year in review post
  • Clean up old/outdated content

✅ Success Criteria

You’ll know you’re done when:

  • [✓] Site loads at yourusername.github.io
  • [✓] Site loads at belltorres.com
  • [✓] All pages are accessible
  • [✓] Images display correctly
  • [✓] Mobile version works well
  • [✓] Blog posts are readable
  • [✓] Gallery filtering works
  • [✓] Family is excited about it!

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS!

When you’ve checked all these boxes, your family website is complete and live!

Now the real fun begins - sharing your stories, adding photos, and keeping your family and friends updated on your adventures!

Need detailed instructions? See README.md and DEPLOYMENT.md

Questions during setup? Refer to the Troubleshooting sections in the documentation

Ready to start? Begin with Part 1 above!

Built with ❤️ for the Bell-Torres Family