21 Factors to consider when opting for a Cloud Hosting Service
Cloud hosting services come with a bulk chunk of various effective benefits and features. Cloud can help you have good storage, good security, and efficient networking by allowing you to access your services from different locations. Especially for small businesses online presence, web hosting and cloud hosting are the new modes of saving major costs and getting decent performance.
Coming across the best cloud computing service will help you to set a strong base of cloud hosting platforms for websites. Your website will consume less and deliver more with the reliable infrastructure platform of the Cloud.
Though your million-dollar cloud hosting dream can be possible only if you choose the most reliable Cloud hosting provider that ensures you quality results. Sometimes, choosing a cloud service provider could be a difficult decision, but we here at Ideastack have brought you some of the most influential factors in the article below that will help you choose the best cloud computing service provider in the eye!
Why Cloud is an attractive solution?
The most highlighting ability of cloud is that you get a lot at very little investment. You have to make for minimal cloud services requirements. You won’t have to set any infrastructure, applications, resources, hardware, or any other physical assets.
All you need is the internet and a device from which you are going to access the cloud’s resources. The compelling features of cloud hosting make it shine brighter among small businesses and startups today. It comes at a very less cost and gives businesses the power of hosting their own website.
Compared to in-house hosting, cloud-based hosting saves all your applications, data, files, and resources in a group of interconnected servers. With access to multiple servers, you can have unlimited processing power to scale your business high. Though cloud hosting does possess a few of the limitations its pros of lower requirements and lower costs make up for it!
All you have to make sure is to get acquainted with the best cloud service providers in Cloud computing. Ideastack is one of them surely!
What is Cloud Hosting?
Simply put, cloud hosting meaning web hosting based on the efficient grounds of cloud technologies. It eradicates all the use of physical infrastructures and resources to run a website as it runs completely on the virtual networking abilities of cloud technology.
In a cloud technology hosting plan, one server is divided, managed, and shared among multiple users and is powered with equal resources separately. The server is taken care of by the host and sometimes, the performance is also guaranteed by choosing a web server from a probable cloud provider.
Web hosting to cloud hosting has been a massive buzz recently and the advantages of cloud hosting over traditional hosting have been sought by many businesses today.
Type of Cloud hosting Solution
Cloud hosting could mainly be of two different types – Private and Public! In private cloud hosting, you can have multiple servers to accommodate and facilitate all the storage requirements that have complete control under you. You get the flexibility and authority to manage your own servers, making it to top the cloud storage evaluation effectiveness. This could get you a feel of dedicated hosting.
Whereas in public cloud hosting, multiple virtual server resources are shared with multiple other users. It kinda sets the feel of shared web hosting. Public cloud hosting plans could be cheaper, but can also compromise performance.
You can take your decision considering the best Public cloud and private cloud providers that fit under your requirement lists.
How to select the right cloud hosting service?
More and more IT systems are externalizing with each passing day, hence it is becoming crucial to be well aware of the factors to consider when choosing a web host. Considering and understanding these factors will help you choose one of the best cloud providers in the long run!
So what should be the pre-steps that should be taken while choosing a cloud platform? The solution for this is a determined preference and process aptly curated for your set of requirements.
While selecting a cloud provider from different cloud providers, the necessities you possess and the evaluation criteria for cloud services concerning your usage will be distinctive according to your business. Nonetheless, there are some general regions of focus while assessing an appropriate cloud hosting service provider.
Let’s take note of these common areas which can aid the comparison between various cloud service providers and enhance your business growth according to your cloud service expectations.
1. Reliable Web Host
Even though cloud hosting is still developing you require a web hosting expert who has years of understanding of this field and can successfully regulate your business. There are many methods where you can analyze the reliability of a service provider or a cloud vendor.
1. You can examine their execution for the last six to twelve months against their SLAs.
2. Check whether the cloud servers can manage the robust traffic and data interchange in uptime consistently.
3. Ensure that your web hosting service provider is reliable enough to manage almost every circumstance of a cloud-based environment.
4. Make sure that the selected provider has created, cataloged, and has substantiated methods for scheduled and unanticipated downtime.
5. Web hosting companies have their liability constraints and solutions when service issues arise. Make sure you are aware of it.
2. Easy-to-use control panel
It is very crucial to have an effective and user-friendly host control panel. An easy-to-use control panel is a must, irrespective of if it is a Plesk, third party, or a cPanel control panel. Because if you do not have it, you will lose lots of time in cracking things out with the tech support, which can otherwise be used on the focal points of your business.
3. Scalable environment
Business growth is directly proportional to cloud storage. So with consistent growth in your business choosing the right cloud hosting plan becomes very necessary to fulfill the cloud storage requirements. Hence find out how much extra storage capacity and additional services will be delivered by the cloud hosting service provider.
Ensure that the selected service provider can ramp up the required cloud resources in no time. Along with no service interruptions, downtime, data migrations, or reboots. If your website faces a huge amount of traffic, make sure that the scalability or plan upgrade solutions provided by the cloud hosting provider should come in handy.
4. Server Hosting Location
Page load speed is the duration a web page requires for the audience to completely load the website. Google has acknowledged that site loading speed is a ranking factor which indicates that the web pages that load quickly receive a higher rank. Possessing a faster loading website can hence enhance your site rankings and boost the organic traffic on the site as well.
A server’s location is directly proportional to the site speed. Hence ensure the server hosting locations are nearer to your customers.
5. Application Hosting features
The limit of bandwidth, hard disk storage, and numerous domains enabled are some of the basic cloud capabilities and platform features. Do check for these features before choosing a cloud hosting service provider.
Presently, several Shared Hosting providers offer limitless storage on the hard disk for cloud storage. This simply means that they will offer you additional storage which a normal website is incapable of. If you own an e-commerce website need this cloud feature. However, also look for some backup features to lower down the risk factor.
6. Add-Ons Provided with hosting.
Some characteristics that you should speculate concerning the objectives of your business website. If you are scheduling to own more than one domain you should find a web hosting service provider who can provide unlimited add-on domains.
Besides that, you must look if a web hosting company offers a money-back guarantee or free trial as well. Many web hosting providers may fail to provide all such features nevertheless choose reliable hosting services which can aid your business goals.
7. Cron Jobs, Auto Script Installers, etc.
Some basic hosting features are very essential for uncomplicated web installations and updates. For instance,
• For page redirecting and security objectives .htaccess is essential.
• For easy file transfers, FTP access is crucial.
• Cron is vital for repetitive operations.
• Auto Script Installers are also very important.
• Server Side Include designated for easily retaining the website.
Hence choose a web hosting provider who offers all these basic features without any additional charges.
8. Website Security & Backups
Hacking is pretty evident in this digitally paced generation. It may also cause a huge loss to your company. Hence choosing while selecting an appropriate cloud hosting provider your top-most priority should be security.
It is very important to enquire precise and clear questions about cloud hosting plans that link to the distinctive concerns you may possess. Do not overlook the important security measures required for functioning in the cloud.
Ensure that the provider offers security measures that assure Multi-Layer Security for your business. For example, multi-factor verification, encryption of data, firewalls, intervention disclosure, and precautionary operations and admittance handling systems.
You must also know about the security of the data centers and also if the service offers the latest secured software version and SSL certificates. For additional security, you can opt for add-on features of the paid cloud services. For which, you may have to pay an extra amount.
9. Uptime Guarantee & SLA
The uptime of a website is one of the most significant factors of a website’s performance. You require a web hosting company that renders powerful servers and steady web connections. You must opt for a cloud service provider who offers high uptime so that you can access your business at any given time. Choose a web host that can give you a guaranteed uptime of 99.5%.
10. Hosting Hardware
The regulation of hosting executions that enhances the loading speed of a web page purely depends on the hardware of the hosting provider. Enquire everything right from what kind of hardware they use to whether their data center is well equipped with cutting-edge technology before choosing a web hosting service provider.
11. Pricing Policy and Renewals
You must choose affordable web hosting which should also be appropriate for your business. In terms of pricing, you should look for Upfront pricing. It is an ideal type of pricing as unlike postpaid billing, assures you a payment of a fixed amount.
Nevertheless, just a hefty pricing structure is not going to be the ultimate solution. You must go for the pricing options which satisfy all your business requirements. And if you choose the right pricing plan it can just benefit your business result into the best business model.
Although you must never fall for the free cloud hosting platforms. As they are less secure and high risk prevails with it. You must also look for a refund policy or free trial offers to avoid any type of mishaps or even for choosing the best cloud service.
12. Refund policy
While choosing a cloud hosting plan it is essential to know how the service provider manages refunds of the customer. Therefore before purchasing any plan lookout for cancellation charges if there are along with the correct customer refunds policy. Including this step in your cloud hosting purchase will keep you on a safer side in the case, cloud service is inappropriate for your business.
13. Backup Plans
Every service provider is going to render data backup plans. Nevertheless, the fact that within what hour/day span and how quick the backup process takes place will help you select the best service providers.
Data restoration is one of the essential factors when it comes to any type or size of a business. Hence while choosing a cloud hosting service consider all these crucial factors to benefit the best out of your business.
14. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Disasters are spontaneous and they cannot be stopped. This doesn’t mean that you should not be with Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)management ready beforehand.
Ensure that disaster recovery provisions and skills of the selected cloud hosting service meets your business expectations. Clear documentation of duties and functions, who is maintaining the accountability of proofs and escalation processes should be made. This is one of the essential features of the cloud service hence no need to make any additional payment for acquiring this feature.
15. Hosting architecture
While selecting a cloud service provider, you must consider how the architecture will be included in your workflows immediately and in the future. You can also include cloud storage architectures when taking appropriate decisions. Every service concerning the architecture offers several storing and retrieving data options like hot vs cool storage. Generally, cool storages cost more but are delivered with many restrictions.
16. Support Services
While using cloud services technical glitches are pretty much evident. In such times you need a good support service who can solve your problems out.
While looking for support services, check if the service provider is well equipped with dedicated customer care executives, dedicated resources, etc. Many times, the chat service or call center is available for only a few hours, but don’t settle for anything less than 24 x 7 support. Choose a cloud provider wisely who offers all the essential support services without any additional charges.
17. SLA
SLA or Service Level Agreements relates to a document that includes the service criteria, terms, and conditions. If you are selecting a nonexclusive plan, you get a conventional SLA that is contracted between you and the service provider. If you want to possess custom cloud solutions, you will then have to ask the provider to make an exclusive SLA including the terms of the service.
Cloud SLAs are an essential component to contemplate when determining a reliable cloud provider. Appropriate attention should also be given to the legal provisions for the protection of data hosted in the cloud service, especially in GDPR regulations.
18. Help in Migration to Cloud
How will the data transition take place? Is one of the essential questions but most of the time it is a neglected feature of choosing a cloud hosting platform. Data migration is important to assure there is no loss when you are switching to such a hosting platform. Analyze and examine the service provider’s plan before you finalize it. Setup of the applications and data migration to the cloud are basic features that won’t cost you any extra charges.
19. Compliance
Further, you should select a cloud architecture platform that can aid you to meet acquiescence patterns that pertain to your business and company. If you are obligated to HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, SOC 2, or any quality frameworks, be sure that you recognize what it requires to achieve acquiescence.
Every infrastructure vendor presents claims concerning the safety and the acquiescence of their platform, normally with the best of purposes. Nevertheless, it is difficult for a cloud customer to be specific about the kind of platform without any third-party verification irrespective of paid or premium cloud service.
20. Client Reviews
Hosting reviews are one of the best information resources. Many cloud hosting providers demand the opinion of customers/clients about them. Many of the clients share their opinions, hence you should go through their reviews concerning the hosting company. Then only you must make the judgment of choosing an appropriate web hosting provider.
21. Manageability
You will need to spend time discovering what are the various cloud platforms that will demand from you to manage. Each of the services maintains different support tools and integrates with several additional services. If you own services that are specifically vital to your business, ensure that the cloud provider you select provides an accessible way to integrate with them.
These were the 21 various factors that will help you compare among various cloud providers. Choose wisely and let your business reach new heights.
How to pick a cloud service provider?
Choosing the aptest cloud service provider business model for your organization depends solely upon your business requirements. However, we can point out a few common areas to work out before deciding on the cloud vendor suitable for you.
We have named eight different areas of focus to help you with your cloud service provider decision:
1. Technologies & Service Roadmap:
Your service provider’s platform and the technologies they are using should match and work perfectly with your business’ already functioning software. Ask questions to cloud hosting providers about the service roadmap they have planned for your organization.
2. Business health & Company profile:
Keeping the technical factors aside, checking your shortlisted providers for their financial health and profile is important too. It may reflect their standing in the service industry and may simplify and describe the cloud vendor selection for you.
3. Certifications & Standards:
Look for standards and quality framework in the cloud service provider. Accredited certifications like ISO 27001 or the Cyber Essential Scheme by the government with the provider can shortlist a few names.
4. Contracts, Commercials & SLAs:
A lot of service providers work with contracts and commercials full of jargon. It is important to understand the provisions of the contract before entering one.
5. Reliability & Performance:
Another factor to scale up the reliability and performance of your service provider is by checking out the information of their performance and conduct they publish. You can contact their ex-clients and know about the same. Knowing about their disaster recovery plan is a must as well.
6. Data Security, Data Governance, and Business policies:
Understand the data security and Governance policies your provider has to offer. The various steps and notifications they are ready to provide in case of any data breach.
7. Migration Support, Vendor Lock-in & Exit Planning:
Avoid vendor-lock situations that may restrict your migration or exit planning. Make sure your provider uses minimal proprietary technology.
8. Service Dependencies & Partnerships:
The Cloud service provider can have various partnerships as well as service dependencies. You need to know all of them and the role they play in the service provided by the cloud company.
Conclusion:
Your decision to choose the one among the many cloud solution provider companies must depend upon a combination of hard as well as soft factors. Standards and certifications along with several testimonies by ex and current clients can give you a clear understanding of the services and their quality provided by the cloud solution company.
After considering the above-mentioned eight key points, you can have a granular assessment of your organization’s technical needs. This will prove to be very helpful in determining the top among the best cloud computing service providers. This will not only take care of the technical aspects but also support the operational, compliance goals, and security among the other areas of focus in your business.
FAQ
What is a private server?
If your business hosting requirement is to have efficient and quick processing with custom cloud solutions that handle all your confidential and bulk data then you should choose the service provider- private server. You will get to experience using a dedicated server but without any possible interruptions from other users.
What factors to consider for Infrastructure Design?
Many factors come under consideration while choosing the accurate infrastructure, from networking components and hardware to operating systems and software and virus, etc. However, there are three important factors you should always keep a note of:
• High-performance Computing a.k.a HPC. It helps you to recover your time lost in maintaining heavy applications or numerous users. Hence, to get maximum and efficient performance, make sure you get HPC deployed in your server.
• No business can afford the poor security whether it’s at the host layer or physical setup. Always go for advanced features of multi-layer security from your service like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection as well as its prevention, etc.
• To avoid any latency in work caused due to network issues, it’s advisable to opt for a Data Center Setup separate from the other data centers so there’s no discontinuity in work.
Why opt for Container Capabilities?
Many applications require different software libraries for easy deployment and efficiency. Your virtual server workload can be transitioned to different containers to provide an isolated and predictable environment. By evaluating your CSP container capabilities you can get a gist of your container requirement.
When to select a cloud provider?
Before you choose your cloud service provider, you must analyze your cloud migration candidates and the workload for your migration. This will give you clarity on every aspect, right from technical and data governance to security and service. So choose your providers when you are crystal clear about your business potential needs.
What makes Cloud Hosting best?
• No other services can provide dynamic hosting requirements other than cloud hosting.
• Its instant growth in traffic and expansion not only makes it the perfect cloud hosting solution but also one of the most preferred web hosting service providers among various businesses.
• Many companies are providing the best cloud hosting services which you should approach only if you are clear with your business requirements and affordability.
