How to Host a Website on AWS for Free (AWS Free Tier Step-by-Step)

Hosting a website on Amazon Web Services (AWS) can be done at no cost using the AWS Free Tier. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Step 1: Sign Up for AWS

1. Visit the AWS Free Tier Page: Go to the AWS Free Tier page.
2. Create an Account: Click on “Create a Free Account” and follow the prompts to set up your account.
3. Enter Payment Information: AWS requires a credit card for account verification, but you won’t be charged if you stay within the Free Tier limits.

Step 2: Launch an EC2 Instance

1. Go to the EC2 Dashboard:
   • Navigate to the AWS Management Console.
   • Search for “EC2” in the services menu and select it.
2. Launch an Instance:
   • Click on “Launch Instance.”
   • Choose an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). For a simple website, select the Amazon Linux 2 AMI.
   • Choose an Instance Type. Select the t2.micro instance, which is free tier eligible.
3. Configure Instance:
   • Click “Next: Configure Instance Details.” The default settings are usually fine for a basic website.
   • Click “Next: Add Storage” and proceed with the default settings.
4. Add Tags (Optional):
   • You can add tags to help identify your instance later. Click “Next: Configure Security Group.”
5. Configure Security Group:
   • Create a new security group.
   • Add rules to allow HTTP (port 80) and SSH (port 22) access. For HTTP, set the source to “Anywhere” (0.0.0.0/0) for public access.
6. Review and Launch:
   • Review your configuration, then click “Launch.”
   • You will be prompted to create a new key pair. Download the key pair (a .pem file) and keep it safe.

Step 3: Connect to Your EC2 Instance

1. Open a Terminal:
   • Navigate to the directory where your .pem file is stored.
2. Change Permissions:
   bash

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   chmod 400 your-key-file.pem
   

3. Connect to Your Instance:
   bash

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   ssh -i "your-key-file.pem" ec2-user@your-instance-public-dns
   

   Replace your-instance-public-dns with your EC2 instance’s public DNS address found in the EC2 dashboard.

Step 4: Install a Web Server

1. Update the Package Repository:
   bash

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   sudo yum update -y
   

2. Install Apache:
   bash

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   sudo yum install httpd -y
   

3. Start Apache:
   bash

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   sudo systemctl start httpd
   

4. Enable Apache to Start on Boot:
   bash

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   sudo systemctl enable httpd
   

Step 5: Upload Your Website Files

1. Transfer Files:
   Use scp to transfer files from your local machine to the EC2 instance:
   bash

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   scp -i "your-key-file.pem" local-file-path ec2-user@your-instance-public-dns:/var/www/html/
   

2. Access Your Website:
   Open a web browser and enter your EC2 instance’s public DNS. You should see your website!

Step 6: Configure Domain Name (Optional)

1. Register a Domain: Consider using a domain registrar to buy a domain name.
2. Point Domain to EC2: Update your domain settings to point to your EC2 instance’s public IP address.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully host a website on AWS for free using the Free Tier. Remember to monitor your usage in the AWS Management Console to avoid any unexpected charges!