What is cloud-based hosting?  

Many growing companies have now turned to more flexible and cost-effective hosting services, like cloud hosting. 

Compared to traditional hosting, cloud-based hosting is more reliable and can offer better performance and scalability. But what exactly is cloud hosting? How does it work, and how can it help your thriving business?  

How does cloud hosting work? 

With cloud hosting, website data is stored across multiple data centers (‘cloud’) around the world instead of just inside one physical server. This setup is made possible by virtualization. Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of something — be it storage, applications, or servers.  

Through virtualization, service providers can create multiple virtual servers in a single physical server. They can then replicate these virtual servers on other physical servers in their cloud network across the world. These virtual servers are rented out to end users using a public cloud deployment model. 

This system ensures minimal downtime because if one server fails, other servers in other regions can take over. And since setting up virtual servers is relatively easy, scaling (i.e., resources such as storage, CPU, and RAM are adjusted according to demand) is instantaneous, so website speed and performance are maintained despite spikes in traffic. 

Cloud hosting versus other hosting types 

To better understand how cloud hosting works, let’s look at how it differs from other website hosting types: 

Cloud hosting vs shared hosting 

In shared hosting, websites or applications are stored in a single physical server. These websites share resources with other sites on the server, so each site is limited to how much RAM or CPU they can use. This is great for businesses that are still building their customer base, having sites with less demand. But it’s less beneficial for expanding enterprises that need more resources as their website grows. 

With cloud hosting, websites have their own virtual servers where users have the freedom to configure the server’s settings. You can allocate resources according to usage, so it is more cost-efficient for growing websites than shared hosting. 

Cloud hosting vs Virtual Private Server (VPS)  

VPS hosting has a single physical server divided into multiple virtual servers, each acting as an isolated environment with dedicated resources. It differs from cloud hosting in that each VPS is pre-set, so you have a fixed amount of CPU, RAM, and storage dedicated solely to your environment. You’re limited to these resources unless you upgrade to a higher plan.  

Most businesses typically use VPS hosting as an upgrade from a shared hosting environment to increase the resources needed for their growing website.  

Cloud hosting vs dedicated hosting 

Dedicated hosting provides a single physical server dedicated entirely to one client. This means all the server’s resources are reserved for that client’s use, offering maximum control, performance, and security.  

It’s different from a cloud hosting service as dedicated hosting clients have their own dedicated server, giving them total control over their server and hosting specifications while cloud users have a shared virtualized environment. 

Dedicated hosting is most beneficial for firms that need custom website hosting and server specifications to deal with consistent high website traffic, storage demands, and data security. 

Types of cloud hosting 

Different approaches are used to set up cloud hosting services, which are called cloud deployment models. The most common are public, private, and hybrid clouds. Let’s discuss these types in the section below: 

1. Public Cloud 

This is the most widely used deployment type. For this type of could hosting, a service provider rents out cloud infrastructure to the public over the Internet. Like public transportation, the public cloud aims to serve multiple customers and is a good option for small to medium-scale businesses with minimal upfront investment. 

2. Private Cloud 

Still using the transportation analogy, private cloud is like a privately owned vehicle. It only caters to or is managed by a single entity. All the resources and infrastructure are only dedicated to and accessible by one customer. For this type, you gain better control over the service integration, data management, user behavior, and more. 

3. Hybrid Cloud 

A hybrid cloud is a combination of the facilities and functionalities of both private and public clouds. This offers the best of both worlds, where customers can benefit from the two cloud deployment types. However, setting up and managing such an environment requires a high level of technical expertise. 

Cloud-based hosting pros and cons  

Pros 

Cloud hosting offers several advantages that can benefit expanding businesses because it is not dependent on a single physical server to perform. It includes: 

Scalability 

Cloud hosting is flexible in terms of the resources it provides to its customers. Depending on the demand, users can adjust the amount of server space used for easy upscaling or downscaling without downtime. 

Reliability 

Since data is redundantly saved in other cloud servers, you can be confident that downtimes are minimal. If one server fails, another one can immediately take over. You are also reassured that all your data are safe in cases of malware and DDoS attacks. 

Cost-effectiveness 

“You only pay for what you use” is the defining characteristic of cloud-based hosting. Most cloud hosting providers use the pay-as-you-go model, sparing businesses to spend valuable resources on services or functionalities they do not need. 

Cons 

Cloud-based web hosting services offer many advantages but also have some potential downsides.  

High cost 

Because it offers a lot of benefits, cloud hosting is pricier than shared hosting services. The potential for increased costs. A significant increase may also apply when the demand for more resources and specialized services increases, for instance, due to traffic spikes. 

Limited control and customization 

With cloud hosting, especially on public cloud platforms, users may need more control over the server environment than dedicated hosting. Providers often restrict specific configurations to maintain security and performance, which can limit customization and flexibility for more advanced users or applications with unique needs.  

Dependence on Internet connectivity 

Cloud hosting relies heavily on stable, high-speed internet connectivity. Any disruption in internet service can lead to downtime or performance issues for users trying to access the cloud-hosted site or application. Additionally, latency issues can arise, particularly for users in remote areas far from the cloud provider’s data centers.  

Who cloud hosting is best for 

eCommerce websites  

eCommerce sites often experience fluctuating traffic, especially during the holidays. Cloud hosting’s flexibility and scalability handles traffic surges well, ensuring the site’s performance is consistent with minimal downtime. 

High-traffic websites and blogs  

Growing blogs or websites can benefit from cloud hosting’s scalability. Because adjusting hosting resources is easy, you are assured of consistent uptime and performance on your site during high-traffic periods. 

Media and streaming services  

Media and streaming platforms like Netflix require extensive bandwidth, storage, and processing power to deliver high-quality video or audio content to users worldwide. Cloud hosting allows these platforms to deliver content efficiently by distributing resources and using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).  

Software as a Service (SaaS) applications  

SaaS providers need hosting solutions that can handle a continuous user load, regular updates, and secure data storage. Cloud hosting allows SaaS applications to scale based on user demand and provides a robust infrastructure for application performance. 

Tips on choosing the right cloud hosting provider 

Data storage 

Look for a provider where it is easy to scale your storage depending on your needs. Some providers offer unlimited storage even on a low-tier plan while others provide the option to easily extend the capacity when the allocated storage amount on your current plan is expended. The provider should also allow you to conveniently scale down in case there is less need for storage space.   

Speed and performance 

How a website performs can have a significant impact on a business. In any web host, you are assured that cloud hosting can deliver in this area. However, it doesn’t hurt if you can dig deeper into each prospective service provider to ensure which one can give you the best cloud hosting performance. Look for a provider that is CDN-focused. They can give you optimized website speed and performance globally, so you are confident that your site delivers well anywhere around the world. 

Security 

It’s essential to pick a provider that has advanced security features and provides DDoS protection, multi-layered data encryption, automatic updates, backups, and managed firewall. Prioritizing these security features ensures that your businesses can leverage the benefits of the cloud while minimizing risks and safeguarding your valuable assets. 

Pricing 

Cloud hosting is known for its pay-as-you-go model. This is a system that allows you to pay for services based on actual usage. Almost all providers use this model for their cloud hosting services but look for one that gives you the best price for your current needs. 

Support 

Technical problems are always inevitable when you are dealing with tech products. Because of this, there will always come a time when you need assistance from someone with more knowledge, like your web hosting provider. Look for a cloud hosting company that is always ready to support you in time of need. The best service providers offer 24/7 assistance either via chat, phone, or email.   

Grow your business with cloud hosting 

Cloud hosting is a powerful hosting type that can help businesses grow in the digital space. Aside from being flexible, it is also more reliable and cost-effective because of how it’s set up. It uses the power of cloud computing to distribute data to multiple virtual servers, reducing the risk of downtime while increasing site performance. 

If you’re looking to scale your business, cloud hosting is perfect for you. Just make sure to choose the provider that has scalable data storage, a system optimized for performance, robust security features, reasonable pricing, and 24/7 customer support.  

Not sure cloud hosting is the right choice for you? Domain.com offers affordable shared hosting and WordPress hosting for your website needs. Get started today with one of our plans.  

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