CASE STUDY

How I Built, Optimized, Secured and Deployed a Production-Ready WordPress Website on AWS

From a fresh Red Hat Enterprise Linux server to a fully optimized production-ready WordPress platform with SSL, DNS, Apache, PHP, MariaDB and complete security hardening.

Overview

Modern businesses rely heavily on their websites to generate leads, educate customers, and build trust. Even a few seconds of delay in loading a webpage can increase bounce rates and reduce conversions.

To demonstrate the complete deployment process of a production-ready WordPress website, I built a cloud-focused blogging platform named CloudTech Insights.

This project was designed to simulate how a professional Managed AWS Hosting Provider deploys, secures, optimizes, and maintains customer infrastructure from initial deployment to production readiness.

Every layer of the infrastructure was configured manually including Linux administration, Apache, MariaDB, PHP, SSL, DNS, WordPress optimization, firewall configuration, and security hardening.

Project Objective

The objective was to deploy a secure, scalable and production-ready WordPress website on AWS while following industry best practices.

Linux Server Administration
Apache Web Server Configuration
MariaDB Database Setup
PHP 8.x Configuration
WordPress Installation
DNS Configuration
SSL Certificate Installation
Security Hardening
Website Optimization
Performance Testing

Architecture

High-level deployment architecture used for CloudTech Insights.

Internet
↓
DuckDNS Domain
↓
AWS Elastic IP
↓
Apache HTTP Server
↓
PHP 8.x
↓
WordPress CMS
↓
MariaDB Database

Initial Challenges

The deployment started from a completely fresh Red Hat Enterprise Linux EC2 server.

Apache Configuration

Installed Apache, configured Virtual Hosts, enabled .htaccess and optimized the web server.

MariaDB Setup

Configured database, secure users, privileges and verified WordPress connectivity.

PHP Compatibility

Installed required PHP modules and resolved dependency issues.

DNS Propagation

Configured DuckDNS domain and mapped it to AWS Elastic IP.

SSL Certificate

Generated Let's Encrypt SSL certificate and configured HTTPS.

Security

Configured firewall rules, file permissions and Apache hardening.

Technology Stack

Category Technology
Cloud AWS EC2
Operating System Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Web Server Apache HTTP Server
Database MariaDB
CMS WordPress
PHP PHP 8.x
DNS DuckDNS
SSL Let's Encrypt
Security firewalld
Monitoring Linux CLI

Deployment Process

Complete deployment workflow from launching AWS EC2 to securing the production-ready WordPress website.

Step 1 — Provisioning the AWS Cloud Server

AWS EC2 Screenshot

Provisioning the Cloud Server

A new Amazon EC2 instance running Red Hat Enterprise Linux was launched to host the website.

  • Created EC2 Instance
  • Allocated Elastic IP
  • Configured Security Groups
  • Enabled SSH Access
  • Allowed HTTP (80)
  • Allowed HTTPS (443)

Step 2 — Installing Apache HTTP Server

Apache Installation

Apache HTTP Server was installed and configured as the primary web server.

  • Installed Apache
  • Started httpd Service
  • Enabled Auto Start
  • Configured Virtual Hosts
  • Enabled .htaccess Support

Step 3 — Installing MariaDB

MariaDB Configuration

MariaDB was configured to securely store WordPress content.

  • Created Database
  • Created Database User
  • Assigned Privileges
  • Secured MariaDB Installation

Step 4 — Installing PHP 8.x

PHP Installation

Installed all required PHP packages for WordPress compatibility.

  • php
  • php-mysqlnd
  • php-gd
  • php-xml
  • php-json
  • php-mbstring
  • php-cli

Step 5 — Deploying WordPress

WordPress Installation

Downloaded WordPress from wordpress.org and configured it with MariaDB.

  • Downloaded Latest WordPress
  • Configured wp-config.php
  • Database Connection
  • Configured Upload Permissions
  • Enabled Pretty Permalinks

Step 6 — DNS Configuration

DuckDNS Configuration

Configured DuckDNS and mapped the domain with AWS Elastic IP.

  • Registered DuckDNS Domain
  • Updated DNS Record
  • Verified DNS Propagation
  • Website Accessible via Domain

Step 7 — SSL Certificate Installation

HTTPS Configuration

Generated a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate using Certbot.

  • Installed Certbot
  • Generated SSL Certificate
  • Configured Apache SSL
  • Enabled Auto Renewal
  • HTTP Redirect to HTTPS

Step 8 — Security Hardening

Server Security

The server was secured following production best practices.

  • Configured firewalld
  • Enabled HTTPS
  • Restricted File Permissions
  • Secured Database User
  • Hidden Apache Server Information
  • Disabled Root Login (Optional)

Performance Testing

After deployment, the website was tested to verify performance, security and functionality.

Website Verification

  • ✔ Website Accessibility
  • ✔ DNS Resolution
  • ✔ HTTPS Working
  • ✔ Blog Rendering
  • ✔ Navigation Testing
  • ✔ SSL Validation
  • ✔ Apache Running

Optimization Completed

  • Apache Optimized
  • PHP Optimized
  • Database Optimized
  • Image Compression
  • Browser Caching
  • Security Hardening
  • Production Ready

Before vs After Deployment

Before

  • No Website
  • No Domain
  • No SSL
  • No Database
  • No CMS
  • No Web Server
  • Fresh Linux Server

After

  • Live WordPress Website
  • Cloud Hosted
  • HTTPS Enabled
  • Apache Configured
  • MariaDB Working
  • PHP 8.x Installed
  • Production Ready

Key Learnings

Skills gained throughout this deployment project.

Linux System Administration
AWS Cloud Infrastructure
Apache Configuration
MariaDB Administration
PHP Configuration
WordPress Deployment
DNS Management
Let's Encrypt SSL
Website Security
Performance Optimization
Troubleshooting
Production Deployment

Business Value

This project demonstrates the complete workflow of deploying a production-ready WordPress website on AWS. Instead of relying on automated hosting panels, every infrastructure component was manually configured including Apache, MariaDB, PHP, DNS, SSL, firewall rules, permissions and security settings.

The deployment closely simulates the daily responsibilities of a Managed AWS Hosting Provider and highlights the technical expertise required to deliver secure, scalable and high-performance hosting solutions for business websites and blogs.

Project Outcome

By the end of this deployment, a completely fresh Red Hat Enterprise Linux server was transformed into a secure and production-ready WordPress hosting environment running on AWS Cloud Infrastructure.

Final Deliverables

  • AWS EC2 Infrastructure
  • Apache HTTP Server
  • MariaDB Database
  • PHP Runtime
  • Production WordPress Website
  • DuckDNS Domain
  • HTTPS Enabled
  • Optimized Performance
  • Secure Configuration
  • Fully Functional Blogging Platform

About ScaleHost

This infrastructure project was built as part of the ScaleHost practical cloud portfolio, demonstrating real-world experience in AWS hosting, Linux administration, website optimization and managed cloud infrastructure.

Managed AWS Hosting
WordPress Hosting
Linux Server Management
Website Migration
SSL Configuration
DNS Management
Performance Optimization
Security Hardening
Infrastructure Monitoring