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Fix Simply Static 403 Errors on Your Host Easily

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever tried to make your static site available online, only to be met with a frustrating 403 error? You’re not alone. Many site owners hit this roadblock when hosting static files, unsure why access is denied.

Understanding and resolving these 403 errors is crucial—it means your intended audience can finally see your site. In this article, we’ll explain why you see this error and walk you through simple, practical steps to fix it, so your static site goes live without a hitch.

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Understanding Simply Static and the 403 Forbidden Error

If you’ve decided to convert your WordPress site into a static website using the Simply Static plugin, it’s likely for speed and security benefits. However, after deploying your static site, stumbling upon a 403 Forbidden error can be frustrating and confusing. This article will unravel why this happens, how to fix it, and best practices for a smooth static site experience.

What Does a 403 Forbidden Error Mean?

A 403 Forbidden error is a server response telling the visitor, “You don’t have permission to access this resource.” When it happens with a Simply Static-generated site, it usually indicates a permissions or configuration issue—either on your server, in your static files, or with your hosting setup.

Why Does Simply Static Produce a 403 Error on Some Hosts?

Several factors can trigger a 403 error after deploying a static WordPress site:

  • File or Folder Permissions: If permissions are too strict, your web server cannot serve the static files.
  • Incorrect .htaccess Rules: Rules carried over from WordPress or added by security plugins might block access.
  • Server Configuration Issues: Hosting environments like AWS S3 require correct bucket policies; shared hosts may have their own quirks.
  • Mismatched User Ownership: Sometimes, files are uploaded by different users, causing ownership mismatches.
  • Disabled Directory Browsing: If an index file (like index.html) is missing, and directory listing is off, the server may block access.

Step-by-Step Guide: Fixing Simply Static 403 Errors

1. Check File and Directory Permissions

  • For most static site hosts, folders should have permissions set to 755 and files to 644.
  • On AWS S3, ensure the bucket policy allows public read access, especially to index.html.
  • Using an FTP client, right-click files/folders and adjust permissions as needed.

2. Review and Edit .htaccess Files

  • Static WordPress exports may include .htaccess rules designed for the dynamic site.
  • Open your exported static .htaccess file. Remove or comment out WordPress, plugin, or rewrite rules that cause authentication or redirect errors.
  • For static hosting, you typically need only minimal rules—often none.

3. Inspect Hosting Settings (AWS S3, Netlify, etc.)

  • On AWS S3:
  • Ensure your bucket is set up for ‘Static Website Hosting’.
  • Set index.html as the default root document.
  • Update the bucket policy to permit public reads, if desired.
  • Check for any blocked files or MIME type restrictions.
  • On Netlify, Vercel, or others:
  • Ensure your build output points to the proper directory.
  • Review redirects or rewrite rules for conflicts.

4. Confirm Correct File Upload and Paths

  • Make sure all your static site files are uploaded to your server’s root or designated directory.
  • Case sensitivity matters. If your index file is called Index.html but your server looks for index.html, you’ll get a 403.
  • Double-check file names, especially on Linux-based hosts.

5. Clear Cache and Propagation Delays

  • Sometimes, changes take a few minutes to propagate, especially on CDNs or cloud hosts.
  • Clear your browser cache and, if using a CDN (like Cloudflare), purge the cache there too.

Benefits of Using Simply Static for WordPress

  • Improved Security: No PHP or database for hackers to target.
  • Speed: Pure HTML/CSS/JS loads much faster.
  • Lower Hosting Costs: Static files can be served by inexpensive hosts or object storage (like S3).
  • Easy Scalability: Static hosting handles traffic spikes well.

Common Challenges and Tips

Directory and File Ownership

  • FTP/SFTP Mistakes: Uploading files as root then serving them as www-data (or vice versa) causes permission errors.
  • Solution: Ensure all files belong to the web server user—usually www-data or apache.

.htaccess and Server Rules

  • Overzealous Restrictions: Security plugins, firewalls, or old site rules may block static file types.
  • Solution: Start with a fresh, minimal .htaccess. Add rules only as needed.

Hosting-Specific Gotchas

  • S3 Policy Issues: Even with correct permissions, misconfigured S3 bucket policies cause 403 errors.
  • Shared Hosting: Some shared hosts block public file access by default in new folders. Adjust folder permissions as needed.

Practical Tips and Best Practices

Use the Right Export Directory

  • Always point Simply Static to a clean, empty export directory.
  • Remove any old WordPress-specific files before deployment.

Keep File Structure Simple

  • Avoid deep folder nesting unless necessary.
  • Keep filenames and paths all lowercase to avoid case sensitivity mishaps.

Test Locally First

  • Before uploading, run a static server on your local machine to test links and permissions.

Enable Error Logging

  • Where possible, enable server or host error logs to pinpoint the problem.
  • Look for messages specifying permission denied or forbidden file access.

Secure Sensitive Files

  • Never include WordPress config files or backups in your static export directory.

Cost Considerations for Hosting and Shipping Static Sites

When moving from dynamic WordPress hosting to static hosting, cost savings can be significant:

  • Static Hosting: Services like AWS S3 + CloudFront, Netlify, or Vercel can serve static sites for pennies or even free for small sites.
  • Shipping Costs: There are no “shipping” fees like there can be in e-commerce, but consider:
  • Egress Bandwidth: On some cloud providers, outgoing traffic (to visitors) may have a cost after the free tier.
  • Storage: Hosting thousands of images or large files may increase storage fees, though rates are typically low.
  • Pro-Tip: Analyze your monthly traffic and file size to pick the most cost-effective static host.

Troubleshooting Checklist for Simply Static 403 Errors

  1. Check Permissions: Folders (755), files (644), or follow your host’s specifics.
  2. .htaccess: Clean up or remove non-essential rules.
  3. Hosting Configuration: Set public read access on S3 or equivalent settings elsewhere.
  4. File/Directory Names: Watch out for case sensitivity.
  5. Ownership: Files should be owned by the web server user.
  6. Access Logs: Review logs to track the exact denial reason.
  7. Redirections: Ensure your static home page is named/indexed correctly.

Conclusion

Deploying a static WordPress site using Simply Static is a fantastic way to improve speed and security. A 403 Forbidden error is common but usually straightforward to resolve—most often a matter of permissions, server configuration, or leftover dynamic site rules. With careful exporting, correct file permissions, and minimal server rules, your static site should run smoothly on any host.

Remember: test locally, keep permissions relaxed (but not reckless), and use the right configuration for your host.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do I see a 403 Forbidden error after using Simply Static to deploy my site?

Most commonly, the error happens due to incorrect file or folder permissions, restrictive .htaccess rules, or server configurations not allowing public access to your static files. Checking each of these areas usually resolves the issue quickly.

2. What permissions should my static site files and folders have?

For most web hosts, folders should be set to 755 and files to 644. If you’re using a service like AWS S3, ensure appropriate bucket policies are set to allow public read access to your website files.

3. How do I fix .htaccess problems causing 403 errors?

Open your static export’s .htaccess file. Remove or comment out any WordPress-specific or restrictive rules that aren’t needed for static hosting. Static sites typically don’t require complex .htaccess files unless you need custom redirects.

4. Can I keep my site secure if I have to allow public read access?

Yes. With a static site, giving public read access just means allowing visitors to view your site files—there’s no underlying PHP or database for attackers. Just ensure sensitive files like backups and configuration files are never included in your public export.

5. What should I check if the 403 error only happens for certain pages or files?

Make sure those specific files were exported by Simply Static and uploaded to your server. Also, check for case sensitivity in file names and confirm that no host firewall or security setting blocks those particular files.

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