Deploying a serverless static website is an efficient way to host your site without managing servers or worrying about scaling. With AWS services like S3 and CloudFront, you can create a robust and highly available static website. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to deploy your static website using AWS services.
1. Set Up Your AWS S3 Bucket
The first step in deploying your static website is to set up an Amazon S3 bucket. S3 is a scalable storage service that can host your static files, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Follow these steps:
- Log in to the AWS Management Console and navigate to S3.
- Click on "Create bucket" and enter a unique name for your bucket.
- Select the appropriate AWS region for your bucket.
- Under "Bucket settings for Block Public Access," uncheck "Block all public access" and confirm the changes. This allows your static website to be publicly accessible.
- Click "Create bucket" to finish the setup.
2. Upload Your Website Files
Once your S3 bucket is set up, you need to upload your static website files. Here's how:
- Open the S3 bucket you created and click on "Upload."
- Select the files and folders of your static website and click "Next."
- Configure permissions if needed, then click "Upload."
3. Configure S3 Bucket for Website Hosting
Next, configure your S3 bucket to serve as a static website:
- In the S3 Management Console, go to the "Properties" tab of your bucket.
- Scroll down to the "Static website hosting" section and click "Edit."
- Select "Enable" and enter the names of your index and error documents (e.g.,
index.htmlanderror.html). - Click "Save changes" to apply the settings.
4. Set Up CloudFront for Content Delivery
To improve the performance and availability of your static website, set up Amazon CloudFront, a content delivery network (CDN) service:
- Go to the CloudFront Management Console and click "Create Distribution."
- Select "Web" as the delivery method.
- Under "Origin Settings," select your S3 bucket as the origin.
- Configure the default cache behavior and distribution settings as needed.
- Click "Create Distribution" to finalize the setup.
CloudFront will now distribute your content globally, reducing latency and improving load times.
5. Update Your Domain Name System (DNS)
If you have a custom domain, update your DNS settings to point to your CloudFront distribution. This involves configuring a CNAME record or setting up an alias:
- In your domain registrar's DNS management console, add a CNAME record pointing to your CloudFront distribution's domain name.
- If using Route 53, you can create an alias record pointing directly to your CloudFront distribution.
Conclusion
Deploying a serverless static website on AWS is a powerful way to leverage cloud technologies while minimizing server management. By following these steps, you can efficiently host your static site with S3 and CloudFront. For more insights, explore our TechCloudUp blog.