What is AWS (Amazon Web Services) hosting?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is Amazon's cloud computing platform and the world's largest cloud provider. AWS hosting refers to running websites, applications, or databases on AWS infrastructure, using services like EC2 (virtual servers), S3 (file storage), and RDS (managed databases).
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AWS is not traditional web hosting with a simple control panel. It is a collection of over 200 cloud services that you combine to build and run applications. Using AWS effectively requires technical knowledge of cloud infrastructure, networking, and security.
The advantages of AWS are enormous scale, global reach, and a service for almost every computing need. AWS has data centres in dozens of regions worldwide. Large websites, streaming platforms, and enterprise applications commonly run on AWS.
For a simple WordPress site or small business website, AWS is generally overkill and harder to manage than shared hosting from SiteGround or Hostinger. Services like Amazon Lightsail offer a simpler entry point to AWS, providing managed virtual servers at predictable monthly prices.
AWS pricing is consumption-based: you pay for exactly the resources you use. This is cost-efficient at scale but can be hard to predict. Setting billing alerts is essential to avoid unexpected charges. Many AWS services offer a free tier for 12 months, which is useful for testing and development.
Common questions
Is AWS a web hosting company?
AWS is a cloud infrastructure provider rather than a traditional web hosting company. It offers the building blocks to host any application, but you assemble and manage them yourself.
Can I host a WordPress site on AWS?
Yes. Amazon Lightsail offers a managed WordPress option on AWS at predictable monthly prices, starting around $5 per month. Alternatively you can set up WordPress manually on an EC2 instance.
Is AWS expensive?
AWS costs depend heavily on usage. Small projects on Lightsail or the free tier are affordable. Complex deployments with high traffic can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. Always set budget alerts.