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Beginner's Guide to Deploying a Dynamic Web App on AWS

Deploy a dynamic web application on AWS with this comprehensive beginner's guide. Step-by-step instructions simplify the process using core AWS services.

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Kevin Liu

February 21, 2026

Beginner's Guide to Deploying a Dynamic Web App on AWS

Introduction: How Can You Deploy a Dynamic Web Application on AWS?

Deploying a dynamic web application on AWS can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. With numerous services to navigate, it’s easy to get lost. This comprehensive guide simplifies the process into manageable steps, making it accessible for newcomers to cloud computing and DevOps.

Dynamic web applications differ significantly from static websites. They process user input, connect to databases, and generate content in real-time. Common examples include login systems, dashboards, and e-commerce sites. If you're building a web app with PHP, this guide will help you deploy it seamlessly on AWS.

Which AWS Services Will We Use?

To deploy a dynamic web application, we will leverage several core AWS services:

  • Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
  • Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)
  • Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
  • Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
  • IAM (Identity and Access Management)
  • Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)

How Do You Deploy Your Application? A Step-by-Step Guide

1. How to Select the Appropriate Region

Start by selecting an AWS region for your application. Choose one closest to your target audience to reduce latency.

2. How to Create a VPC and Enable DNS Hostname

Next, create a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and enable DNS hostname support. This step is crucial for routing traffic to your application.

3. How to Create Security Groups

Create several security groups to manage access:

  • EC2 Instance Connect Endpoint (EICE): No inbound rules; use SSH limited to VPC CIDR.
  • Application Load Balancer (ALB-SG): Select VPC; allow HTTP and HTTPS from anywhere.
  • Webserver Security Group (WEB-SG): Select VPC; allow HTTP and HTTPS, limit to ALB-SG, and allow SSH limited to EICE.
  • Database Security Group (DB-SG): Select VPC; allow MySQL, limit to WEB-SG.
  • Data Migration Security Group (DMS): Select VPC; allow SSH, limited to EICE.

4. How to Create an Instance Connect Endpoint in a Private Subnet

Create an EC2 instance connect endpoint in a private subnet. Select the VPC and use the EICE security group.

5. How to Create an S3 Bucket

Set up an S3 bucket to upload your application code. This storage solution is vital for serving static files and application data.

6. How to Create an IAM Policy

Create an IAM policy for S3, granting permissions for S3:GetObject and S3:ListBucket. You can limit resources using the ARN, but for practice, select all.

7. How to Create a Role

Select EC2 as the use case for your IAM Role. Attach the policy you created and name your role.

8. How to Create a Subnet Group

Create a subnet group within your VPC. Ensure you select two Availability Zones (AZs) and the two private subnets for redundancy.

9. How to Create a Database RDS

  • Select Standard Create.
  • Choose MySQL and the latest version.
  • Opt for the free tier and provide a DB instance identifier.
  • Enable AWS Secrets Manager for credential management.
  • Select the instance type and security group, then provide the initial database name.

10. How to Migrate Data into the RDS Database

Create an EC2 instance without a key pair in the private subnet. Attach the DMS security group and role. Connect to this EC2 instance using the management console, then use the provided migration script to transfer your data. For scripts, check out this GitHub repository.

11. How to Terminate the EC2 Instance

After successfully migrating the data, terminate the EC2 instance to avoid unnecessary costs.

12. How to Create Another EC2 Instance for the Webserver

Create another EC2 instance in the private subnet for your web server. Select the WEB-SG security group and attach the S3 role.

13. How to Use the Deployment Script

Follow the deployment script available in the same GitHub repository to configure your application.

14. How to Create a Target Group

Create a target group for your web server. Select the instance and configure the health checks.

15. How to Create an Application Load Balancer

Set up an Application Load Balancer (ALB) within your VPC. Select two AZs and public subnets. Configure listeners for HTTP and HTTPS, including SSL certificates.

16. How to Create a Domain Record

Using your domain name, create a record with an alias pointing to your ALB. This step is essential for making your application accessible online.

17. How to Prepare for Traffic with Auto-Scaling

How to Create an AMI

Go to your running EC2 instance, select actions, and create an image (AMI). Tag the image for easier identification.

How to Create a Launch Template

You can now terminate the EC2 instance if needed.

How to Create an Auto Scaling Group

Select your VPC and the private subnets. Attach to the existing load balancer and configure the desired scaling policies.

What Are the Final Thoughts on Deploying a Dynamic Web Application on AWS?

Deploying a dynamic web application on AWS is an excellent way to learn about cloud services and their interactions. By following this beginner-friendly guide, you gain hands-on experience that will serve you well in your cloud journey. I encourage you to try this project and explore more AWS, Docker, and cloud learning resources.

With practice, mastering AWS becomes much more manageable. Stay tuned for more practical guides and insights into cloud computing and development tools.

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