Building a Portfolio Website on AWS: A High-Level Guide



Building a Portfolio Website on AWS: A High-Level Guide


Introduction

Creating a portfolio website on AWS allows for high reliability, scalability, and security, making it ideal for projects that might eventually grow in traffic or complexity. Here’s a streamlined look at how you can set up a static site on AWS without getting lost in too many details.


1. Domain and DNS Setup

Start by registering a domain through AWS Route 53 or transfer an existing one. Route 53 lets you manage DNS, create hosted zones, and set up records to route traffic to your website seamlessly. This setup is a one-time configuration to connect your domain to AWS.


2. Storage with S3

Store your static website files—HTML, CSS, JavaScript—in an Amazon S3 bucket. Enable “Static Website Hosting” within the S3 settings, and configure the bucket policy to allow public read access. This setup lets S3 serve your files directly to users, providing a basic, cost-effective web hosting solution.


3. Security and Speed with CloudFront

Attach a CloudFront distribution in front of your S3 bucket for enhanced speed and security. CloudFront caches your content at edge locations worldwide, reducing load times for users globally. Use AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) to enable HTTPS, boosting security and user trust.


4. Optional Automation with CI/CD

If you expect frequent updates, configure a CI/CD pipeline with CodePipeline and CodeBuild. This setup automates deployments directly from your GitHub repository, keeping your site current with each code push. It’s ideal for those who want continuous delivery but can be skipped for simpler, static setups.


5. Route Traffic with Route 53

Finish by creating DNS records in Route 53 to point your domain to your CloudFront distribution. This step ensures that both www and non-www requests reach your site over HTTPS, completing the full loop from setup to launch.


Final Thoughts

This AWS stack provides a robust, scalable hosting environment for a portfolio website. Though it takes some upfront configuration, it’s highly customizable and capable of handling future growth. For a leaner approach or smaller projects, platforms like Cloudflare can offer similar benefits with simpler setup.


And there you have it—a streamlined AWS website deployment in under five steps! 😊



Image: Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

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