How to deploy Django without mod_wsgi

Question

I'm relatively new to web development, but I have a couple years experience working with python, so I figured I would build my first production site using django.

I've spent the last few days learning the basics and building a test site running on my local machine. Today, I've been trying to deploy my site to production; however, I've hit a pretty large stumbling block.

The django documentation suggests using mod_wsgi for apache deployments. I followed the install instructions here , only to realize that I don't have access to make any changes to apache - I'm currently on a shared hosting plan.

Apparently, to perform the install, I would have to upgrade to a VPS plan, which costs a lot more.

Any advice for a new web developer trying to get a proof-of-concept web app together (preferably with feedback gathered from real users) on a budget?

I think I have two options:

1. Eat the cost on my current web hosting plan. Try to find a cheaper host that specializes in django hosting. I've been looking at the following (suggestions here would be wonderful):
   • Heroku
   • DigitalOcean
   • A2Hosting
2. Try some sort of manual deployment. Is this possible or has anybody ever made this work? I can't seem to find any resources about this.
   • I was able to install django on my web server and my site just seems like a collection of files at this point. Can I simply move this directory tree to my site using an ftp? And handle the database migration manually?
   • Can I just run django on my web server via ssh instead of from my local machine? Essentially just rebuild my site in production? I know this isn't a smart idea with a normal production site, but as a proof of concept, I don't mind some downtime if my code is buggy.

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are just starting Heroku is probably perfect for you. It's super easy to set up, you don't have to handle the server configuration yourself and it has a free tier to do some tests until you are ready to go.

If you are OK with doing some more advanced server/service configuration, you can use Google Cloud, Azure or AWS. This last one has a one year free tier . If you go this route, I suggest using gunicorn/uwsgi + nginx instead of Apache mod_wsgi.