How to Make a Website Live on AWS
To make a website live on Amazon Web Services (AWS), you can use one of three popular methods:
S3 for Static Websites (HTML, CSS, JS only)
EC2 for Dynamic Websites (PHP, Node.js, etc.)
Lightsail for WordPress & Full Hosting
Method 1: Host a Static Website on AWS S3
Ideal For: Simple sites with HTML/CSS/JS (e.g., portfolio, landing page)
Steps:
- Create an AWS Account → aws.amazon.com
- Go to S3 Console → Create a new bucket
- Enable Static Website Hosting in bucket properties
- Upload Website Files (like index.html)
- Make Files Public using a bucket policy
- Access Your Website via S3 endpoint
Method 2: Host a Dynamic Website on AWS EC2
Ideal For: PHP, Python, Node.js, or full-stack web applications
Steps:
1.Launch EC2 Instance
Open EC2 Dashboard
- Select Ubuntu or Amazon Linux
- Choose t2.micro (free tier eligible)
2. SSH into Instance
- Use terminal or AWS CloudShell
- ssh -i "your-key.pem" ec2-user@your-ec2-ip
3. Install Web Server
Example (Ubuntu):
- sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2 -y
4. Upload Your Website Files
- Use scp or an FTP tool like FileZilla
- Upload files to /var/www/html/
5. Open Website in Browser
- Visit your EC2 Public IP Address
6. Update Security Group
- Allow inbound traffic for HTTP (port 80)
Optional: Set up HTTPS with SSL, and use Elastic IP for a static public IP.
Method 3: Use AWS Lightsail (Simplified Hosting)
Ideal For: WordPress, Laravel, or quick full-stack setup
1.Go to AWS Lightsail
Visit Lightsail
2. Create an Instance
- Choose OS (Ubuntu, WordPress, etc.)
- Choose Mumbai region
- Select plan (starts at $3.5/month or free trial)
3. Launch and Access Instance
- Use browser-based SSH to install software
- Or use built-in WordPress if pre-installed
4. Point Domain Name (Optional)
- Add your domain via Lightsail DNS
- Or use Route 53
Real Example: Hosting a Startup Website from India
A startup in Pune launched a full Node.js app using AWS EC2 in the Mumbai region. They scaled easily during Diwali sales using Elastic Load Balancers and Auto Scaling, all within budget and with 99.99% uptime.
FAQs
Q1. How much does AWS website hosting cost?
AWS offers a Free Tier for 12 months. Hosting can start at ₹0/month if you stay within limits.
Q2. Can I host my WordPress site on AWS?
Yes. Use AWS Lightsail for a simple WordPress deployment.
Q3. Is AWS hosting better than GoDaddy or Bluehost?
AWS offers better performance, scalability, and security, especially for developers and startups.
Q4. Does AWS work in India?
Yes! AWS has data centers in Mumbai with INR billing, low latency, and local customer support.
Why Choose AWS for Website Hosting?
Whether you’re building a simple portfolio or launching a scalable app, AWS provides tools for every level — from beginners to enterprise. With India's growing cloud ecosystem, AWS gives you global infrastructure with local power.
Learn More or Get Started
🔗 AWS Free Tier – Start Hosting
🔗 AWS S3 Static Hosting Docs
🔗 EC2 Tutorial for Web Hosting
🔗 Route 53 Domain Management
Summary
How to Host a Website on AWS (3 Easy Methods):
S3 (Static Sites) – Best for HTML/CSS/JS portfolios or landing pages.
→ Upload files to S3, enable static hosting, make files public.
EC2 (Dynamic Sites) – For PHP, Node.js, Python apps.
→ Launch instance, install web server, upload files, update security rules.
Lightsail (Simplified Hosting) – Ideal for WordPress or full-stack apps.
→ Easy setup with pre-configured options, browser SSH access, and DNS tools.
Real Example:
A Pune startup hosted a Node.js app on EC2 with scaling for Diwali sales — 99.99% uptime!
FAQs:
Cost? Free tier available
WordPress? Yes, via Lightsail
Better than GoDaddy? Yes, for performance & scalability
Available in India? Yes, with Mumbai servers and INR billing
Resources: AWS Free Tier, S3 Docs, EC2 Setup, Route 53 Domains