AWS Instance Types: Which is Best for a WordPress Site?
Amazon Web Services is a fantastic option for hosting different types of sites, including WordPress sites. While it has the potential to be quite valuable, those who are just starting out with websites, and even those who have been in the business for a while, might find it somewhat intimidating to use AWS. However, it doesn’t have to be so daunting.
Before you consider the best instance for your WordPress site, though, you want to make sure that AWS is truly the best solution for your needs. Those who will be using WordPress for a commercial site will find that AWS is a good option. However, if you are only developing a small, personal site, or a site that is not going to be getting massive amounts of traffic, you probably do not need to use something this powerful.
Getting Set Up
If you believe that AWS will be the best solution for your business, then it’s time that you started to get it all set up and configured properly. One of the first things that you will need to think about are instances. An instance is simply the term used for a virtual server. It is possible to choose from different instances, and you will want to know which option is the best choice for a WordPress site.
The answer is not as simple and straightforward as you might have hoped, and it can change based on the size of your site and your specific needs. When you are choosing an instance, or provisioning an instance, you will log into the AWS console and then choose EC2 from the list of services.
Typically, the best option when you are choosing and setting up your instance will be t2.micro. The t2 is a general purpose instance, and the micro indicates that the resources for the instances in this case are low. Even large WordPress sites should be fine with this type of instance. You should be fine with this option unless you have a massive WordPress site with a large store and a substantial amount of traffic.
You will then have to configure the instance details. Most of the time, you will not have to change the settings, as the defaults should work fine for you, at least for most sites. You can then finish setting it up by following the prompts. You might want to consider using CloudWatch, which does have a monthly fee, but it will let you have a better way of monitoring what’s happening with the AWS alternatives.
Once you have your WordPress site up and running, it is very important that you are monitoring it regularly. This will make it easier for you to see what’s happening with the site and if you have enough resources. After a short time, you should be able to see whether the instance you have chosen has worked well for you or if you might need another option.