Hosting a Static Website on AWS S3 with HTTPS Support

Static websites are lightweight, fast, and ideal for hosting portfolios, blogs, or documentation. In this post, I’ll explain how to host a static website on Amazon S3 and secure it with HTTPS using CloudFront. This method is both affordable and reliable, making it perfect for developers and small businesses.

What You’ll Learn:

How to configure Amazon S3 for static website hosting.

How to use Amazon CloudFront to enable HTTPS for your website.

Basic tips to optimize your website for better performance.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Setting Up the S3 Bucket:
   Guide readers on creating an S3 bucket and uploading their website files.
   Explain the importance of enabling “Static Website Hosting” and setting up index and error documents.

2. Configuring Bucket Policies:
   Demonstrate how to make the bucket publicly accessible for website hosting.
   Include a sample JSON policy for clarity.

3. Adding HTTPS with CloudFront:
   Explain how to create a CloudFront distribution and link it to the S3 bucket.
   Describe the steps to configure an SSL certificate using AWS Certificate Manager.

4. Testing and Optimization:
   Provide steps to verify that the website is live and secure.
   Share quick tips to enhance website performance, such as enabling cache and compressing files.

5. Conclusion:
   Emphasize the cost-effectiveness of this solution and encourage readers to explore other AWS services for scaling their website.