How to Run A Webserver From Your Computer

Co-authored by Richard Marczewski Jr.

Last Updated: December 2, 2024

If you have a website too big for a commercial web host or you want to be able to quickly make changes on your website, you may want to try to run your own web server on the computer you are viewing this page from. This guide will tell you home web server basics and not tell you how to work with a particular software.

1

Choose a computer that's suitable to be a web server.

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The processor is not very important. If you have a router, the computer should be directly connected to that router and not wireless to minimize server downtime.

2

Get good web server software.

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If possible, find a program that can run in the background without making your computer unusable. One of the more popular web servers is Apache.

3

Configure your web server.

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Normally the web server program has a guide on how to do this.

4

Create a basic main page to test the server.

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Give the file a name that ends with the ".html" extension.

5

Check that you can see the website from http://127.0.0.1/.

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If you see the site continue to the next step. If your server does not run on port 80 then test your site on http://127.0.0.1:portnumber/. You may need to reconfigure your web server if you can't see this site at all.

6

Get a friend to test your site on http://yourWANip/.

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If not, check some of the tips.

7

Purchase a domain and set it to your WAN IP.

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If you have a dynamic IP, make sure that the domain registrar has dynamic DNS services.

8

Create your website.

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If you want to use server-side scripting you will need to install those applications and configure them in your server.

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Question

What are the advantages of having a web server?

Richard Marczewski Jr.
Full Stack Marketer
Richard Marczewski Jr. is a Full Stack Marketer and owner of Creativity Scientist in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in marketing, digital media, and content creation. He works with businesses as their outsourced storytelling partner and offers website development, videography, and e-commerce solutions. He started the hipster mustache trend in 2006 and is a classic Nintendo expert. Richard has an MBA in Management from Fitchburg State University.

Richard Marczewski Jr.

Full Stack Marketer

Expert Answer

There are several advantages, like it might also save you money, as you won't incur fees from hosting providers. Hosting at home can also give you an added layer of privacy and security since your data will stay under your control and at home. This is why many companies host their sensitive information on local or internal servers. However, you will need a strong internet connection and a steady power supply. You also have to know how to keep your server secure from threats. This means managing security measures to protect your data. Additionally, you'll handle any technical problems that come up, like server outages. Unlike paid hosting services, where experts take care of these issues, you will be responsible for fixing them yourself.

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Can I work on my PC after turning my PC into a web server?

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It is possible to do so, however, using your computer while it is a server means that you are opening your computer up to unnecessary vulnerabilities. Server = Server PC/Mac/Computer = Computer. Yes, you can do what you're asking, however it is very much urged against doing so.

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Can I use a Windows server instead of Apache?

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Yes, but for Windows, you need to learn IIS first, then use the Apache plugin if you need it. Otherwise IIS will work just fine. If you want to move to a free OS like a Linux Distro, then Apache is the way to go.

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Tips

Keep your computer running all the time. You can turn off the monitor or if the web server program runs in the background, you can put your computer "to sleep".

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If anybody outside your network can't see your website at http://yourWANip/ and you are behind a router you will need to port forward. Since routers vary there are different ways to do this. Consult the manual that came with your router or search your router on Google.

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You probably won't be able to see your own website using the domain you bought. You should see it from http://127.0.0.1/ or http://yourLANip/.

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Warnings

Check with your ISP to make sure you are allowed to have a home server. Some request that you use another port other then port 80. If so you will need to configure your webserver to listen on another port.

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Do not put large files up for download, this will make your computer run a lot slower on the internet.

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