Which AWS service is ideal for storing static assets from a website instead of using an Amazon EC2 instance?

Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) is the ideal service for storing static assets from a website due to several factors that enhance performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Firstly, S3 is designed specifically for high availability and durability, allowing you to store large amounts of data reliably. With S3, you can easily upload, manage, and retrieve your static assets such as images, videos, and documents. It also provides a simple web interface and API, enabling seamless integration into various applications and ease of access.

S3 is highly scalable, meaning it can automatically handle growing amounts of traffic without the need for provisioning additional infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial for websites that may experience unpredictable spikes in traffic, as S3 can accommodate the data requirements without manual intervention.

Furthermore, the pricing model of S3 is based on the amount of data stored and the number of requests, making it a cost-effective solution for static asset storage. This is typically much more economical compared to using EC2 instances, which would require you to manage servers, operating systems, and ensure availability yourself.

Another advantage is the built-in support for content delivery through Amazon CloudFront, which allows you to distribute static content globally with low latency. This enhances the performance of your website significantly.