How can cloud hosting benefit your small business?
Web Hosting Blog
In today’s digital world, cloud hosting is utilised by almost every business, and most don’t even realise it. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are great examples of cloud storage providers, specifically known as Tier 1 providers, that countless businesses utilise on a daily basis.
So, what is cloud hosting?
A cloud platform is provisioned on fully redundant physical hardware and network, meaning there is no single point of failure, hence the word “Cloud”. It allows individuals and organisations to make their applications, data, and websites accessible over the internet. The cloud platform is virtualized with software such as hypervisors, such as Hyper-V, VMware, KVM, Red Hat Virtualisation. This software has a Graphical User Interface (GUI), which is used for cloud server provisioning, where individual resources such as vCPU, RAM and Storage can be configured to meet the exact needs of the end user. There are 2 main types of Cloud hosting, Cloud Servers and Private Cloud Hosting.
Cloud servers are provisioned on a multi-tenant cloud platform, sometimes known as “public cloud servers”, which is managed and maintained by the hosting provider, and access to the hardware and virtualization software is restricted.
Private Cloud Hosting is dedicated specifically to one customer, with full access to the hardware and virtualization software giving greater flexibility, control, and access to the platform.
Let’s dive into the top 5 benefits of cloud hosting!
Scalability
Given the nature of cloud hosting, server resources can easily scale to meet the demands of a website or application by simply increasing the resources of the servers on demand. If resource is required for the overall platform, more servers can be added to the cluster to increase the resource pool. This means that as your business grows you can efficiently manage resources without overinvesting or experiencing shortages.
Cost-efficiency
Cloud hosting works on different payment terms: a pay-as-you-go model, or monthly/annual payments. Either option allows resources to be scaled up or down depending on usage. To provide context, the pay-as-you-go model is used by cloud providers such as Azure and AWS, however you will find that they are generally more expensive and trying to budget for the hosting requirement can be quite tricky, given the various charges that are added. At CWCS we adopt the pay monthly/annual model, as we find this best for our customers as there are no hidden fees and what is agreed in the contract is what will be invoiced. If you were to utilise CWCS’s cloud solutions, a member of our team would work with you to scope out the solution and create a product plan unique to your business needs; ensuring you’re paying for exactly what you require.
Security
Cloud providers implement physical and virtual security of servers on their network, protecting website and application data from potential attacks. Examples of this are encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits. Here at CWCS, we prioritise data security; amongst numerous security efforts, we are ISO 27001 accredited, and UK Government G-Cloud approved.
Reliability and performance
A company not utilising cloud hosting can experience drastic data loss at any time due to hardware failures, power surges, or even natural disasters. When an organisation stores data, files, and applications in the cloud, this information remains safe and accessible.
How does this work? Cloud hosting takes advantage of many servers spread across the cloud network, meaning that if one server on the network fails, another server can fill in and still provide service.
Alongside this, cloud providers may have different support packages to further support with your cloud servers. Here at CWCS, our support team are available 24/7/365 to be on hand for any questions or queries from clients.
Now that you know the top benefits, if you were interested in investing in cloud hosting, how would you get started?
Easy!
1. Choose a Cloud Provider:
Research and select a cloud hosting provider that fits your business needs and budget. There are many out there that offer various solutions and services, CWCS for example have a focus on SME’s and helping aspiring businesses achieve more.
2. Select a Hosting Plan:
Once you have decided on a cloud hosting provider you will choose a plan that aligns with your current needs and allows for future growth. We would suggest looking for options that offer scalability, security features, and support services.
3. Migration:
Plan and execute the migration of your data and applications to the cloud. Like CWCS, many providers offer migration services or tools to assist with this process.
4. Optimise and Manage:
You are now utilising cloud hosting, making your small business more efficient. Whilst the bulk of your work is done, we suggest monitoring your usage, and taking advantage of the tools provided by your cloud host to manage your services efficiently.
If you are interested in exploring cloud hosting for your small business, our team are available to talk through your options and outline the best plan for your business goals. Fill out a short form and you will hear from us soon: https://www.cwcs.co.uk/contact/
To learn more about CWCS, check out our latest YouTube video: Fast, Secure & Reliable UK Managed Hosting