Hugo Actually Explained (Websites, Themes, Layouts, and Intro to Scripting)

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Create Websites in Hugo

Step 1: Install Hugo

1. To install Hugo, visit the official Hugo website and follow the installation instructions suitable for your operating system.

Step 2: Set Up a New Site

1. Open your terminal and run the command hugo new site sitename to create a new Hugo site.
2. Navigate to the newly created site directory and access the config file to customize your site settings.
3. Download a theme by cloning a theme repository into the themes directory of your site.
4. Activate the theme by updating the config file with the chosen theme name.

Step 3: Customize Your Website

1. Copy the example CSS file from the theme to your website's directory for customization.
2. Organize your website content by placing markdown files in the content directory for pages and static directory for other files like images or documents.

Step 4: Preview Your Website

1. Run hugo in the terminal to generate the website files into the public directory.
2. Use hugo serve to view a live preview of your website and make real-time changes.

Step 5: Manage Content and Structure

1. Create new content by running hugo new contenttype/filename.md to generate markdown files.
2. Customize the content of each markdown file by adding text, lists, images, and links using markdown syntax.

Step 6: Enhance Website Features

1. Utilize shortcodes for adding functionalities like images with captions and links.
2. Modify layouts and partials in the theme directory to customize the appearance of your website, including headers, footers, and list displays.

Step 7: Compile and Deploy Your Website

1. Compile your website by running hugo to generate the static files in the public directory.
2. Upload the contents of the public directory to your web server to publish your Hugo website.

Step 8: Further Customizations and Scripting

1. Explore advanced features like creating custom layouts, using shortcodes, and scripting to add dynamic elements to your website.
2. Experiment with modifying templates, creating tag pages, and implementing next/previous article links for enhanced user experience.

Step 9: Continuous Improvement and Exploration

1. Continue to refine your website by experimenting with different layouts, styles, and functionalities in Hugo.
2. Stay updated with Hugo's documentation and community resources to learn more about advanced customization options.

By following these steps, you can create a dynamic and customizable website using Hugo, enabling you to showcase your content effectively and engage with your audience efficiently.