How to install Nginx and host your first site

Nginx is the most widely used web server for fast, modern sites. Here is how to install it and publish your first site.

1. Install

apt-get update -y
apt-get install -y nginx
systemctl enable --now nginx

Open the server IP in a browser: you should see the default Nginx page.

2. Add your site files

mkdir -p /var/www/mysite
echo "It works!" > /var/www/mysite/index.html

3. Configure a server block

Create /etc/nginx/sites-available/mysite:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com www.example.com;
    root /var/www/mysite;
    index index.html;
}

ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/mysite /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
nginx -t && systemctl reload nginx

Next steps

• Point your domain: see How to point a domain to your VPS.
• Add free HTTPS: see Free SSL certificate with Let's Encrypt.