- The Allure of WordPress
- The Reality Check
- Custom Coding and Open Source: The Lost Treasures
- Decoupling the Shop: A Step Towards Decentralization
- Reverting to S3: Embracing Simplicity and Control
- Parting words
In the realm of web hosting, we often find ourselves at crossroads, balancing between simplicity, cost, and control. As the Cloud Architect and DevOps Manager for a mid-sized digital firm, I’ve recently navigated through such a crossroad. Our initial switch from AWS S3 static hosting to WordPress was aimed at leveraging the flexibility and out-of-the-box features WordPress provides. However, this transition soon spiraled into a series of unforeseen challenges, nudging us back to the simplicity and control of S3 static hosting.
The Allure of WordPress
WordPress, with its vast repository of plugins and themes, seemed like a cost-effective and resourceful solution for hosting our sites. The idea was to streamline content management and e-commerce capabilities without getting entangled in hefty server management or coding from scratch. This decision was primarily driven by the requirement of an integrated shop for our sites.
The Reality Check
Despite its promises, WordPress quickly turned into a quagmire of plugin dependencies and constant maintenance. Every minor update or customization started requiring an unanticipated amount of time and resources. Moreover, the “cheap” hosting became a facade as the costs accumulated, both in terms of finances and the manpower required to manage the setup.
Custom Coding and Open Source: The Lost Treasures
With custom-coded sites on S3, we had previously enjoyed a good deal of control and were able to leverage a variety of open-source solutions. This not only kept the costs low but also allowed us to tailor the sites precisely according to our needs. The shift to WordPress felt like trading off a sleek, custom-tailored suit for an ill-fitting, off-the-rack outfit.
Decoupling the Shop: A Step Towards Decentralization
The primary trigger for moving to WordPress was the integrated shop feature. However, with advancements in cloud services, we realized the potential of decoupling the shop from the servers using AWS CloudFront. This decentralization is a game-changer, reducing server load and enhancing site performance.
Reverting to S3: Embracing Simplicity and Control
The journey back to S3 static hosting has begun. Of the seven sites I manage, all are transitioning back to S3, while one is moving to Shopify for its e-commerce needs. This transition symbolizes a step back towards simplicity, control, and cost-effectiveness.
Parting words
The expedition from S3 to WordPress and back to S3 has been enlightening. It reinforced the notion that while chasing modernity and out-of-the-box solutions, we shouldn’t overlook the essence of control and simplicity that comes with custom-coded sites and static hosting. As we move forward, the focus is on harnessing cloud technologies like AWS CloudFront to decentralize e-commerce operations, thus streamlining our hosting setup and reclaiming the reins of control.