Build & Deploy Ecommerce Websites For Under $30 & Under 10 Minutes

Looking to start your own ecommerce business without spending a fortune? Well, you’re in luck because building and deploying an ecommerce website is now easier and more affordable than ever. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of building and launching your own ecommerce website in under $30 and 10 minutes. With our step-by-step instructions, you can have your business up and running in no time. So, let’s dive into the world of ecommerce and start building your dream website today!

Introduction

Are you looking to start an ecommerce website without breaking the bank? Look no further than Magento, a popular ecommerce platform with a wide range of features. In this article, we will explore how to build and deploy an ecommerce website using Magento for under $30 and under 10 minutes. We’ll cover everything from setup to launch, including creating an AWS Lightsail instance, adding Composer, configuring secure URLs on Magento backend, and installing a free theme using Composer.

Getting Started with Magento

Starting a Magento store from scratch is cost-effective compared to other CMS solutions like Shopify. First, we need to create an instance of AWS Lightsail. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Create an AWS account or log in to your existing account.
2. Click on ‘Services’ in the top left corner and search for ‘Lightsail.’
3. Choose ‘Create Instance’ and select ‘OS Only’ when prompted.
4. Select ‘Linux/Unix’ as the OS and ‘Magento with PHP7’ as the blueprint.
5. Choose the instance plan that works for your budget.
6. Click ‘Create Instance’ and wait for the instance to be created.

Adding Composer

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that allows you to easily install and update packages. To add Composer to your AWS Lightsail instance, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your instance using SSH.
2. Run the following command: curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | sudo php — –install-dir=/usr/local/bin –filename=composer
3. Confirm that Composer is installed by running the command: composer –version

Configuring Secure URLs on Magento Backend

Now that Composer is installed, we need to configure secure URLs on Magento backend. This is important for ensuring the security of your website. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to the Magento backend.
2. Go to ‘Store’ and then ‘Configuration.’
3. Click on ‘Web’ and expand ‘Base URLs (Secure).’
4. Change ‘Use Secure URLs on Storefront’ and ‘Use Secure URLs in Admin’ to ‘Yes.’
5. Save the changes.

Installing a Free Theme Using Composer

Now, it’s time to install a free theme using Composer. Here are the steps:

1. In your instance, navigate to the Magento root directory.
2. Run the following command: composer require magento/theme-frontend-luma
3. Wait for the theme to install.
4. Log in to the Magento backend.
5. Go to ‘Content’ and then ‘Design.’
6. Select ‘Theme’ and choose the ‘Magento Luma’ theme.
7. Save the changes.

Adding a Record in AWS DNS

To add a record in AWS DNS, use CNAME for www and put the base URL for root traffic. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the ‘Networking & Security’ section of your Lightsail instance.
2. Click on ‘Create DNS zone.’
3. Follow the prompts to enter the necessary information.
4. Once the DNS zone is created, you can add a record.
5. Choose ‘A’ record type for root domain and enter the corresponding IP address.
6. Choose ‘CNAME’ record type for www and enter the base URL.
7. Save the changes.

Disabling IP V6

Before using Magento on AWS, it’s important to turn off IP V6. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect to your instance using SSH.
2. Run the command: sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf
3. Add the following line to the file: net.ipv6.conf.all.disable_ipv6 = 1
4. Save and exit the file.
5. Run the command: sudo sysctl -p

Creating an Access Key in Magento

The process requires creating an access key in Magento, adding the public key to code, and creating the access key using touch Auth.json and nano Auth.json. Here are the steps:

1. Log in to the Magento backend.
2. Go to ‘System’ and then ‘Integrations.’
3. Click on ‘Add New Integration.’
4. Follow the prompts to create an integration.
5. Generate a new access token and take note of the public key and secret key.
6. Add the public key to your code at the appropriate location.
7. Create the access key using the command: touch Auth.json && nano Auth.json
8. Add the following code to the Auth.json file:

“http-basic”:
“repo.magento.com”:
“username”: ““,
“password”: “”

9. Save and exit the file.

Installing Prerequisites for the Theme

To install the prerequisites for the theme, use “composer require swissup/module-theme-editor-swissup-absolute 1.3.1” and “composer require swissup/absolute-metapackage”. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect to your instance using SSH.
2. Navigate to the Magento root directory.
3. Run the command: composer require swissup/module-theme-editor-swissup-absolute 1.3.1
4. Wait for the module to install.
5. Run the command: composer require swissup/absolute-metapackage
6. Wait for the metapackage to install.

Assigning a Domain and Static IP Address

A domain can be assigned and attached to a static IP address. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the ‘Networking & Security’ section of your Lightsail instance.
2. Click on ‘Create DNS zone.’
3. Follow the prompts to enter the necessary information.
4. Once the DNS zone is created, you can add a record.
5. Choose ‘A’ record type and enter the corresponding static IP address.
6. Choose the desired domain and save the changes.

Configuring SSL Certificates

Bitnami Bncert-tool can be used to configure SSL certificates. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect to your instance using SSH.
2. Install the tool: sudo /opt/bitnami/bncert-tool
3. Follow the prompts to configure SSL certificates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Magento is a great option for those looking to start an ecommerce website on a budget. By following these steps, you can build and deploy an ecommerce website for under $30 and under 10 minutes. From setting up an AWS Lightsail instance to configuring secure URLs on Magento backend, installing a free theme using Composer, and adding a record in AWS DNS, you’ll be on your way to launching your ecommerce website in no time.

FAQs

1. Can I use Magento in countries like China and Russia?
   Yes, Magento is not banned in those countries and can be used globally.

2. Is it difficult to set up an AWS Lightsail instance?
   No, it is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few clicks.

3. Can I install a theme using Composer for free?
   Yes, there are many free themes available that can be installed using Composer.

4. Do I need to configure SSL certificates for my ecommerce website?
   Yes, it’s important to ensure the security of your website by configuring SSL certificates.

5. Is it possible to turn off IP V6 on Magento?
   Yes, it can be turned off easily using SSH.