How to Use Apache Webserver to Host a Website?

Apache is a powerful and widely used web server across the industry to host websites efficiently. In this guide, we will understand the usage of Apache web servers for hosting a website.

Prerequisites

• Apache Web Server
• Administrative Access

Steps to use Apache webserver to host a website:

Step 1: Basic Configuration

Open the Apache Configuration File

• Locate the httpd.conf file in the Apache installation directory, typically C:\Apache24\conf\httpd.conf.
• Open this file with a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++.

Set the ServerName and DocumentRoot

• Find and set the ServerName directive to match your local machine's name or IP address:

ServerName localhost:80

• Set the DocumentRoot to the directory where your website files will be stored. Update the <Directory> block accordingly:

DocumentRoot "C:/Apache24/htdocs/mywebsite"
<Directory "C:/Apache24/htdocs/mywebsite">
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>

Restart Apache

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run:

httpd -k restart

• if apache is not started use following command:

httd -k start

Step 2: Configuring Virtual Hosts (Optional)

• If you plan to host multiple websites, configure virtual hosts to ensure website level easier efficient services from apache server.
• Open httpd-vhosts.conf located in C:\Apache24\conf\extra\httpd-vhosts.conf.
• Add your virtual host configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerAdmin [email protected]
    DocumentRoot "C:/Apache24/htdocs/mywebsite"
    ServerName mywebsite.com
    ErrorLog "logs/mywebsite.com-error.log"
    CustomLog "logs/mywebsite.com-access.log" common

    <Directory "C:/Apache24/htdocs/mywebsite">
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

• Save the file and restart Apache:

httpd.exe -k restart

Step 3: Deploy Your Website Files

• Create a directory for your website inside the Apache htdocs directory manually or use following cmd:

mkdir C:\Apache24\htdocs\mywebsite

• Copy your website files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) into the mywebsite directory.

Step 4: Testing Website

• Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:portnumeber.
• Ensure your website loads correctly and functions as expected.

Conclusion

Hosting a website using Apache on a Windows machine involves setting up the server, configuring basic settings, and deploying your website files. Optional steps include configuring virtual hosts, enabling .htaccess. Following these steps will help you get your website up and running efficiently.