Creating a Free WordPress Website on Amazon Web Services in 10 Simple Steps
Introduction
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. One of the most popular platforms for building websites is WordPress, known for its flexibility and user-friendliness. However, hosting a WordPress website can come with a cost. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a WordPress website for free using Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 10 straightforward steps. AWS offers a free tier that allows you to host your website without incurring any charges, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.
Step 1: Sign Up for an AWS Account
Before you can start using AWS, you need to create an AWS account. Go to the AWS website (https://aws.amazon.com/) and click on the “Sign Up” button. Follow the instructions to create your account, providing the necessary information and payment details. Don’t worry; AWS’s free tier won’t charge you unless you exceed the allocated resources.
Step 2: Launch a Virtual Private Server (EC2 Instance)
Once your AWS account is set up, you’ll need a virtual private server (EC2 instance) to host your WordPress website. AWS offers a variety of EC2 instance types, but for a simple WordPress site, a t2.micro instance from the free tier should suffice. Navigate to the AWS Management Console, click on “EC2,” and then click the “Launch Instance” button.
Step 3: Choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
In the EC2 instance creation process, you’ll be prompted to choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). Select a WordPress-compatible AMI to simplify the setup. AWS provides an official AMI that includes WordPress, such as “Amazon Linux 2 AMI (HVM), SSD Volume Type.” Choose this option or a similar one.
Step 4: Configure Your EC2 Instance
Follow the on-screen prompts to configure your EC2 instance. This includes selecting the instance type (t2.micro for the free tier), configuring instance details, adding storage, and configuring security groups. Make sure to open ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) in your security group settings to allow web traffic.
Step 5: Create a Key Pair
To securely access your EC2 instance, you’ll need to create a key pair. AWS will generate a private key file (PEM) for you to download. Keep this key file safe as you’ll use it to connect to your server.
Step 6: Launch the EC2 Instance
Review your configuration settings, and when everything looks good, click the “Launch” button. You’ll be prompted to select the key pair you created earlier. Once the instance is launched, you’ll see it listed in your EC2 dashboard.
Step 7: Connect to Your EC2 Instance
To connect to your EC2 instance, you’ll need an SSH client. If you’re using a Unix-like system (e.g., Linux or macOS), you can use the terminal. Windows users can use tools like PuTTY or the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Use the following command to connect via SSH, replacing “your-key.pem” with the path to your key pair file and “your-instance-ip” with your EC2 instance’s public IP address:
```
ssh -i “your-key.pem” ec2-user@your-instance-ip
```
Step 8: Install WordPress
Now that you’re connected to your EC2 instance, it’s time to install WordPress. Use the following commands to download and install WordPress:
```
sudo yum update -y
sudo yum install -y httpd mariadb-server php php-mysqlnd
sudo systemctl start httpd
sudo systemctl enable httpd
sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl enable mariadb
sudo mysql_secure_installation
```
Follow the prompts to secure your MariaDB installation.
Next, download and configure WordPress:
```
wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
tar -xzvf latest.tar.gz
sudo mv wordpress/* /var/www/html/
```
Create a WordPress configuration file:
```
cd /var/www/html/
sudo cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php
```
Edit the configuration file:
```
sudo nano wp-config.php
```
Update the database settings with your MariaDB credentials and save the file.
Step 9: Create a Database
Before you can use WordPress, you need to create a database. Access the MariaDB command line:
```
mysql -u root -p
```
Enter your root password and then create a new database and user for WordPress:
```
CREATE DATABASE wordpress;
CREATE USER ‘wp_user’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘your_password’;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO ‘wp_user’@’localhost’;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;
```
Step 10: Complete WordPress Setup
Open your web browser and enter your EC2 instance’s public IP address. You should see the WordPress setup page. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the WordPress installation. When prompted, enter the database details you created in the previous step.
Conclusion
In just 10 simple steps, you’ve successfully created a WordPress website for free on Amazon Web Services. AWS’s free tier allows you to host your website without incurring any costs, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence without breaking the bank. With your new WordPress site up and running, you can start customizing and adding content to share your message with the world.
