How to Host a WordPress Site on AWS Lightsail

AWS Lightsail makes it easy to deploy a WordPress website with a few clicks. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

🛠 Step 1: Create a WordPress Instance on Lightsail

Log in to AWS Lightsail:
👉 Lightsail Console
Click "Create Instance"
Choose the Region (select a region close to your target audience).
Choose a Platform:
- Select Linux/Unix.
Select a Blueprint:
- Choose WordPress from the Apps + OS section.
Select an Instance Plan:
- For a basic WordPress site, start with the $5/month plan.
- Upgrade as needed based on traffic.
Enter a Name for Your Instance (e.g., my-wordpress-site).
Click "Create Instance"
- It will take a few minutes to deploy.

Go to "Instances" in Lightsail
Click on Your WordPress Instance
Scroll down and click "Connect using SSH"
Run the following command to get the admin password:
```
 cat bitnami_application_password
```
- Copy this password.
Go to Your WordPress Login Page:
- Visit: http://<Your-Lightsail-Public-IP>/wp-admin
- Username: user
- Password: (Paste the password you copied)

By default, your WordPress instance has a dynamic IP that changes when restarted. Assign a static IP to avoid issues.

Go to "Networking" in Lightsail
Click "Create Static IP"
Attach it to Your WordPress Instance
Update Your Domain DNS (Optional)
- If using a custom domain, update the A record in your domain provider with this static IP.

For secure access, enable Let's Encrypt SSL:

Connect to Your Instance via SSH
Run the following command to install Let’s Encrypt:
```
 sudo /opt/bitnami/bncert-tool
```
Enter Your Domain Name when prompted.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete SSL setup.

If you have a domain (e.g., example.com):

Go to Your Domain Provider (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Route 53, etc.)
Edit the DNS settings:
- Set the A record to point to your Lightsail static IP.
- Example:
```
  Type: A
  Name: @
  Value: <Your Lightsail Static IP>
  TTL: 300
```
Save Changes and wait for DNS propagation.