Creating WordPress Staging AWS: How to Do that?

Setting up a WordPress staging environment is crucial for testing updates, plugins, or changes before pushing them live. AWS offers a robust platform for hosting, but creating a staging environment on AWS can be daunting and time-consuming. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to create a staging site using AWS and why InstaWP offers a simpler, faster alternative.

Creating WordPress Staging on AWS: Step-by-Step

While AWS provides powerful tools like Amazon Lightsail, setting up staging involves several complex steps, including configuring servers and managing DNS settings. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Create an Amazon Lightsail Account

Start by signing up for Amazon Lightsail, which is the most straightforward AWS service for WordPress hosting.

Step 2: Launch an Instance

• Choose a region that’s closer to your target audience.
• Under the operating system, select Linux/Unix and pick WordPress as the application.
• Choose a plan based on your needs; the $7 plan is often a good start for testing, and it’s free for 90 days.
• Name your instance and click Create Instance.

Step 3: Connect to Your WordPress Instance

• Use the browser-based terminal by clicking the SSH quick connect icon.
• Retrieve your WordPress admin password using the command:

bash
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cat $HOME/bitnami_application_password

Step 4: Access WordPress Dashboard

• Open http://<PublicIP>/wp-login.php, replace <PublicIP> with your instance’s IP address.
• Log in using “user” and the password you retrieved earlier.

Step 5: Assign a Static IP

This prevents losing your public IP every time you restart your instance. In the Lightsail dashboard:

• Go to Networking and click Attach Static IP.

Step 6: Set Up DNS for Custom Domain

If you want to use a custom domain:

• Create a DNS zone in Lightsail and point your domain’s name servers to the provided ones.

You’ve now created a staging environment on AWS! However, as you can see, the process involves multiple technical steps that can be overwhelming. That’s where InstaWP makes things easier.

How InstaWP Simplifies WordPress Staging

InstaWP streamlines the staging process, letting you create a staging environment in just a few clicks—no server management required.

Step 1: Create an InstaWP Account

Sign up for InstaWP. Once logged in, you can immediately start creating staging environments.

Step 2: Install the InstaWP Connect Plugin

To create a staging site for your existing website:

• Log in to your live site.
• Install and activate the InstaWP Connect plugin.

Step 3: Set Up a Staging Environment

• In your WordPress dashboard, connect your InstaWP account.
• Click Create Staging Site and customize your environment, choosing which files or tables to exclude if necessary.

Step 4: Access Your Staging Site

Once your site is set up, InstaWP provides a Magic Login link, so you can access the staging site without credentials.

Why InstaWP Is Easier Than AWS

1. No Complex Setup: No need to manage servers, IP addresses, or DNS.
2. Instant Setup: Create staging environments in minutes, compared to hours with AWS.
3. Pre-configured: InstaWP comes with pre-configured environments, including WordPress and PHP settings.
4. Cost Efficiency: InstaWP has simple, transparent pricing, avoiding the complexity of AWS billing.
5. Magic Login: Access your staging site instantly—no SSH or password retrieval required.

Conclusion

While AWS is a powerful platform for creating WordPress staging environments, it’s not always the easiest option. InstaWP, on the other hand, offers a user-friendly, fast solution that lets you create fully functional staging sites in seconds. Skip the technical headaches and give InstaWP a try!