How to host a React app on WordPress
You built a React app. It runs perfectly on localhost. Now the question: where do you host it — without signing up for yet another monthly plan? If you already pay for WordPress hosting, the cleanest answer is to host your React app on WordPress.
Yes, really. WordPress is perfectly capable of serving a built React app — it's just a folder of static files. The only thing traditional WordPress hosting lacks is a modern git push → build → deploy pipeline. That's the gap Parkstatic closes.
Can you run a React app on WordPress?
Yes. A production React build is static — HTML, JavaScript, and CSS in a dist/ or build/ folder. Any web server that can serve files can host it, including the Apache or nginx instance already running your WordPress site. You don't need Node.js on the server, and you don't need a separate React host.
The catch is purely operational: dragging a fresh build/ folder over FTP every time you change a component gets old fast. Parkstatic replaces that with automatic deploys on every git push.
What you'll need
- A React or Vite app that builds to a static folder.
- A GitHub repository with your project pushed to it.
- A self-hosted WordPress site you already pay for.
- A Parkstatic Premium license ($29.99/year or $89.99 lifetime, per site).
Host your React app on WordPress, step by step
- Build your React app. Run
npm run buildand confirm it produces adist/orbuild/folder. Vite, Create React App, and Next.js static exports all qualify. - Push to GitHub. Put your project in a GitHub repo — public or private.
- Install Parkstatic. Add the plugin to your WordPress site and activate your license. The onboarding wizard walks you through connecting GitHub.
- Add your PARKSTATIC_SECRET. Copy the per-site token from the plugin into your repo under Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions.
- Add the GitHub Action. Drop in a
.github/workflows/deploy.ymlthat usesParkStatic/action. The onboarding hands you the exact snippet. - Push and go live. Commit the workflow to
main. GitHub Actions builds your app, Parkstatic pre-renders every page, and the build appears in your plugin dashboard. Click Activate to serve it from your WordPress domain.
Every future push to main builds and deploys automatically. No FTP, no zip uploads, no second hosting bill.
React on WordPress vs. Vercel or Netlify
Vercel and Netlify are excellent for React, and their free tiers are generous for personal projects. The trade-off is that they're a separate subscription and a separate dashboard, and the paid tiers add up — typically $20+/month once you outgrow the free plan.
| Approach | Typical cost | CI/CD on push | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vercel / Netlify paid | $20+/mo | Yes | Separate subscription, usage limits |
| Manual FTP upload | Free (already paid) | No | Drag-and-drop every change |
| Parkstatic + WordPress | $29.99/yr or $89.99 once | Yes | Reuses hosting you already pay for |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Node.js on my WordPress server?
No. The build runs in GitHub Actions, not on your WordPress server. WordPress only serves the finished static files.
Does it work with Next.js?
Yes — Next.js output: export produces a static build that Parkstatic deploys the same way as a Vite or CRA app. For SSR, see the get-started guide for prerendering details.
Will my React app keep its SEO?
Yes. Parkstatic pre-renders every page to real HTML on each deploy, so search engines index full content instead of a blank loading screen.
Ready to host your React app on WordPress?
Grab a Parkstatic Premium license, follow the get started guide, and your React app will be live on your WordPress domain in about ten minutes. For the broader hosting picture, see our guide to static site hosting on WordPress.