Can we deploy WordPress website on AWS Lambda?
Can you run WordPress on AWS Lambda? Well, it’s complicated…
Technically, you could squeeze parts of a WordPress site onto AWS Lambda. But honestly, it’s not the best way to build your blog. Here’s the thing:
- It gets messy fast: WordPress loves a classic web server setup (think Apache, PHP, MySQL database). Forcing it entirely into Lambda functions is like trying to stuff an elephant into a shoebox – awkward and complex.
- Performance hiccups: Lambda functions are meant for quick bursts of activity. WordPress is a dynamic system that constantly chats with its database and files. This can lead to slowdowns on Lambda.
- The dreaded “cold starts”: Lambda functions can be sleepy. If no one’s visited your site for a while, the first load can be painfully slow. Not the user experience you want!
- Cost surprises: Managing all the bits and pieces you need to make this work on Lambda can get surprisingly expensive.
Smoother alternatives for your WordPress blog on AWS
- Keep it classic with EC2: Spin up an EC2 instance (a virtual server) and install your usual web stack. This is the most familiar and flexible way to run WordPress on AWS.
- Lightsail to the rescue: If your blog is on the smaller side, Lightsail makes managing WordPress on AWS a breeze.
- Let AWS do the heavy lifting:
- Lightsail offers ready-to-go WordPress instances. Super easy!
- Use Amazon RDS to manage your database without the headache.
- Elastic Beanstalk can automate a lot of the setup and scaling for your WordPress environment.
Okay, but what if I really want to try Lambda? (Not ideal, but here’s the gist)
- Build a custom PHP runtime: Lambda needs instructions on how to handle PHP.
- S3 for storage: Your files will live on Amazon S3.
- Database goes serverless: Look into Amazon Aurora Serverless.
- API Gateway is the front door: Lets users access your Lambda function.
- Frameworks help: Consider Bref to simplify this wild ride.
Important Extras:
- Caching is your friend: Store frequently used data temporarily to speed things up.
- Static stuff goes fast: Images, CSS, and JavaScript files are happier living directly on S3 and using a CDN like CloudFront for lightning-fast delivery around the world.
Heads up: Even with tricks, WordPress on Lambda might still struggle with heavy traffic or fancy features.
Want to explore the easier EC2, Lightsail, or Elastic Beanstalk options? Let me know!