To host a static website on Amazon S3 with optional enhancements such as a custom domain via Route 53, global content delivery through CloudFront, and HTTPS security using AWS Certificate Manager.

AWS Services Used to host website

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)

• Purpose: Stores and serves static files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images).
  
• Key Features:
  
  • Highly durable and scalable object storage.
  • Static website hosting with a public endpoint.
  • Access management through Bucket Policies and IAM.
    
    
• Usage:
  
  • Hosts your static website content.
  • Configured for public read access.
  • Can be integrated with CloudFront for better performance and cost optimization.

Amazon Route 53 (Optional - For Custom Domain Setup)

• Purpose: Domain Name System (DNS) service to map domain names to AWS resources.
  
• Key Features:
  
  • Scalable and reliable DNS with support for custom domains.
  • Alias Records to route traffic to S3 or CloudFront.
  • Domain registration and DNS management.
    
• Usage:
  
  • Points a domain like www.example.com to your website hosted in S3 or CloudFront.

Amazon CloudFront (Optional - For Performance & Security)

• Purpose: Global CDN to cache and distribute content closer to users.
  
• Key Features:
  
  • Low-latency content delivery using AWS edge locations.
  • SSL/TLS encryption (HTTPS support).
  • DDoS protection and origin shielding.
    
• Usage:
  
  • Speeds up website access globally.
  • Enables HTTPS and security headers.
  • Reduces S3 bandwidth and cost by caching assets.

AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management)

• Purpose: Controls access to AWS services and resources.
  
• Key Features:
  
  • Policy-based access control.
  • Fine-grained permissions.
  • Supports roles, users, and groups.
    
• Usage:
  
  • Manages who can access the S3 bucket and what they can do.
  • Public read access is granted for website content.

AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) (Optional - For HTTPS)

• Purpose: Provides and manages SSL/TLS certificates.
  
• Key Features:
  
  • Free public certificates.
  • Automatic renewal.
  • Integrates with CloudFront and Elastic Load Balancing.
    
• Usage:
  
  • Issues HTTPS certificate for your custom domain.
  • Enables secure browsing via HTTPS.

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Step-by-Step Implementation on Static Website Hosting on Amazon S3

Step 1: Create an S3 Bucket and Upload Website Files

1. Navigate to the S3 console.
2. Click Create Bucket.
3. Set a unique name (e.g., my-static-website) and choose a region.
4. Uncheck "Block all public access" in the permissions section.
5. Create the bucket.
6. Upload your website files (index.html, styles.css, etc.) to the bucket.
   
   

Step 2: Enable Static Website Hosting

1. In your S3 bucket, go to the Properties tab.
2. Scroll to Static website hosting and click Edit.
3. Select Enable, choose “Host a static website”.
4. Specify the entry point file (e.g., index.html) and error page if needed (e.g., error.html).
5. Save changes.
6. Copy the website endpoint URL—you'll use this to access your site.

Step 3: Set Bucket Policy for Public Read Access

1. Go to the Permissions tab > Bucket Policy.
2. Add the following policy, replacing <your-bucket-name>:

Code

    {  
        "Version": "2012-10-17",  
        "Statement": [    
        {      
            "Effect": "Allow",      
            "Principal": "*",      
            "Action": "s3:GetObject",      
            "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::<your-bucket-name>/*"
            }
        ]
    } 
    

✅ This allows the public to read all files in your bucket, necessary for static hosting.

🔒 Security Note: Only use this for non-sensitive, public content. Don’t store private files here.

Step 4: Map a Custom Domain Using Route 53 (Optional)

1. Navigate to Route 53.
2. Create a Hosted Zone for your domain (e.g., example.com).
3. Create a Record Set (Type: A, Alias: Yes) pointing to your S3 Website Endpoint.
4. If using www.example.com, create a CNAME pointing to example.com or the appropriate alias.
   

Step 5: Configure CloudFront for CDN Delivery (Optional)

1. Go to CloudFront > Create Distribution.
2. Choose Web and set:
   
   • Origin Domain: Your S3 bucket.
   • Viewer Protocol Policy: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
   • Default Root Object: index.html.
3. (Optional) Enable Caching, Geo Restrictions, or WAF.
4. Choose your ACM SSL Certificate if HTTPS is required.
5. Create the distribution and wait for it to deploy.
6. Update your Route 53 record to point to the CloudFront distribution.
   

Step 6: Set Up HTTPS with AWS Certificate Manager (Optional)

1. Navigate to AWS Certificate Manager (ACM).
2. Click Request Certificate > Public Certificate.
3. Enter your domain (e.g., www.example.com).
4. Choose DNS Validation.
5. Validate your domain through Route 53.
6. Attach this certificate to your CloudFront distribution for secure HTTPS access.
   
   

Step 7: Test and Verify Your Website

• Access the site using:
  
  • S3 website endpoint (e.g., http://my-static-website.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com)
  • Or custom domain (e.g., https://www.example.com) if configured.
    
• Verify:
  
  • All static assets (CSS, JS, images) load correctly.
  • HTTPS is working (if enabled).

Performance via Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse.

Security Tips

• Use S3 Object Ownership settings to manage access via ACL or bucket policies.
• Never store sensitive data in publicly accessible buckets.
• Use AWS WAF + CloudFront for DDoS protection.
• Monitor with CloudWatch and AWS Config for audit trails.