build a retro-style blog with neocities

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Build a Retro-Style Blog with Neocities

Neocities is a web hosting platform that brings back the spirit of the old internet — particularly the hand-coded, DIY culture popularized by GeoCities in the late 1990s. It's perfect for users who love coding in HTML and CSS and want full creative control over their blog or website without relying on modern CMS platforms.

What Is Neocities?

Launched in 2013, Neocities offers free static web hosting with an old-school flair. Each user gets a subdomain (like yourname.neocities.org) and a web interface for uploading HTML, CSS, and JS files. There’s no CMS or database involved — you write your pages directly, like in the early days of the web.

Why Neocities Appeals to Indie Web Enthusiasts

  • 100% hand-coded: Emphasis on HTML, CSS, and JS
  • Free static hosting: No backend needed
  • Custom domains available: With a paid plan
  • Focus on creativity: Encourages experimentation and personal expression

Getting Started with Neocities

Step 1: Create an Account

Sign up at neocities.org. You’ll get 1 GB of free storage and a subdomain. No credit card is required.

Step 2: Build or Upload Your Site

You can upload your HTML files through:

  • The Neocities web file manager
  • Drag-and-drop upload
  • Using their command-line tool (for developers)

Step 3: Style Your Blog

Use standard CSS to design your site. You can either code from scratch or use retro-inspired free templates. There's no templating language — just classic web development.

Why Use Neocities for Blogging?

Absolute Creative Freedom

Unlike modern platforms that restrict design through themes and plugins, Neocities gives you full creative freedom. You decide every line of code, every pixel of design.

No Ads, No Tracking

Neocities doesn’t inject ads or analytics into your site. You control what gets added — whether it’s your own tracking scripts or none at all.

Focus on Craft and Simplicity

By avoiding CMSs, you focus on writing and design. Your content lives in simple HTML files, load fast, and work offline.

Neocities vs Other Free Platforms

Compared to Blogger

  • Customization: Neocities offers full control; Blogger relies on templates
  • Technical skill: Neocities requires coding skills
  • Simplicity: Blogger is easier to start; Neocities is more rewarding creatively

Compared to WordPress.com

  • Speed: Neocities loads faster due to static files
  • Maintenance: No updates, plugins, or security patches
  • Learning curve: WordPress is easier for beginners

Who Should Use Neocities?

Coding Enthusiasts

It’s ideal for those who enjoy writing HTML/CSS and don’t mind crafting pages by hand. If you’re learning web development, it’s also a great sandbox.

Digital Gardeners

Neocities supports the “digital garden” format where users create interconnected notes and ideas with backlinks. Its flexible, structure-less nature fits well with this mindset.

Writers with a Retro Aesthetic

Many users build blogs that resemble old GeoCities or early web zines. If you’re nostalgic or into vaporwave aesthetics, this is your playground.

Key Features of Neocities

Free Plan Includes:

  • 1 GB storage
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • HTTPS support
  • Free .neocities.org subdomain

Paid Plan Benefits ($5/month):

  • Custom domain support
  • More storage
  • WebDAV access
  • Site backups

Tips for Blogging on Neocities

  • Use Markdown locally: Write in Markdown, convert to HTML using Pandoc
  • Create a consistent layout: Use HTML includes or JS for headers/footers
  • Back up your site: Keep a local copy of all files
  • Design for mobile: Many retro layouts aren't responsive — add media queries

Example Blogs on Neocities

Some great examples include:

Common Challenges

Neocities can be intimidating for non-coders. There’s no drag-and-drop editor or post scheduling. You need to manually update files and structure your blog navigation with HTML.

Conclusion

If you love hand-coding websites, want a blog that reflects your personality, and enjoy the aesthetics of the old web, Neocities is a gem. It teaches you to own your content, your code, and your creativity — with no ads, no lock-ins, and no distractions. For the indie web movement, Neocities is more than just a platform — it's a philosophy.