Why Host in Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud is a popular cloud computing platform that provides a variety of cloud-based services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). One of the most significant benefits of hosting your website in Oracle Cloud is its robust infrastructure, which ensures high availability and scalability. Moreover, Oracle Cloud offers a free-tier account that allows users to host their websites for free for up to 12 months.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of hosting your website in Oracle Cloud for free. We will cover the prerequisites, creating and configuring your instance, uploading your website, and best practices for security and networking.

===Prerequisites: Setting up Oracle Cloud Account

Before you can host your website in Oracle Cloud, you need to create an account. Oracle offers a free-tier account that provides you with a $300 credit to use for 30 days and additional free services that last up to 12 months. To create your account, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Oracle Cloud website (https://www.oracle.com/cloud/free/) and click on the “Start for free” button.
2. Sign up for an account by entering your email address and creating a password.
3. Verify your email address and provide your contact and billing information.
4. Once you have completed the signup process, you can log in to the Oracle Cloud Console.

===Creating Your Instance: Step-by-Step Guide

After you have created your Oracle Cloud account, the next step is to create your instance. An instance is a virtual machine that runs in the cloud and hosts your website. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create your instance:

1. Log in to the Oracle Cloud Console.
2. Click on the “Create a VM instance” button.
3. Select the “Oracle Linux” image, which is available for free in the Oracle Cloud Marketplace.
4. Choose the “Free Tier” shape, which provides you with 1 OCPU and 1 GB of RAM.
5. Configure your networking settings, such as your subnet and security list.
6. Click on the “Create” button to create your instance.

===Configuring Your Instance: Security and Networking

Once you have created your instance, the next step is to configure your security and networking settings. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Create a security list that allows HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
2. Configure your firewall to allow incoming traffic on port 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS).
3. Assign a public IP address to your instance.
4. Configure your DNS settings to point to your public IP address.
5. Install an SSL certificate to secure your website.

===Uploading Your Website: Best Practices

Now that you have created and configured your instance, the final step is to upload your website. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Use a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client to upload your website files to your instance.
2. Create a separate user account for your FTP client with limited permissions.
3. Use a version control system, such as Git, to manage your code changes.
4. Test your website thoroughly before making it live.
5. Monitor your website’s performance using tools, such as Oracle Management Cloud.

Benefits of Hosting in Oracle Cloud

Hosting your website in Oracle Cloud provides you with several benefits, including high availability, scalability, and security. Moreover, the free-tier account allows you to host your website for free for up to 12 months. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create and configure your instance, upload your website, and ensure the security and high performance of your website.