Cloud-based hosting and computing expenditures are expected to exceed $200 billion by the end of 2019. This is a twenty percent increase from last year’s spending. Businesses are projected to increase their cloud services spending to over $350 billion by 2022.
Maybe you’ve heard about “cloud hosting” but aren’t sure what it means. Read further to find out more about the benefits of using a cloud-based server to see if it’s the right decision for you. 4D Data Centres is a UK-based colocation data centre provider with facilities in Gatwick, Surrey and Kent.
Cloud Hosting Defined
Cloud hosting refers to the way that you configure your computer’s server. Rather than rely on one, tangible server to support your website or keep your files, you can access a network of virtual servers that are up in the cloud. There’s strength in numbers when you can rely on the strength and security of multiple virtual server environments.
These virtual servers are hosted by other third-party providers. Some of these third-party servers include Dropbox or Google Drive.
Benefits of a Cloud-Based Server
There are ten benefits to using a cloud-based server. Read further and you’ll see if this hosting solution is right for you.
1. Affordable Alternative
One of the most notable benefits of cloud services is its affordable pricing structure.
Cloud hosting is referred to as an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) delivery model that delivers virtual services on demand. Business owners only pay for what remote resources they use and can avoid higher monthly rates that include services they’ll never need.
2. Easy Scalability
Scalability signifies an organization’s capacity to increase and manage any growth in their workload. Managing workload growth may mean hiring more staff to handle the increased demands on the business. Most cloud servers have easy to read site management dashboards that allow you to see if your increased staffing levels are creating an unforeseen traffic surge to your website.
One of the benefits of cloud computing and hosting is that you can scale server resources up or down instantly. Follow this link to read about how this company provides can help manage scalability with multiple IP resources.
3. Avoid Server Hardware Problems
Other cloud benefits include avoiding the same hardware problems that physical servers experience. These problems include system overloads, hacking or hardware breakdowns.
If your physical server experiences these problems, you can use the resources from your network of virtual servers and avoid delays or downtime.
4. Efficient Disaster Recovery
Hand in hand with hacking or other cybersecurity concerns, cloud-based servers offer quick disaster recovery services. Cloud service providers already protect their systems against hardware failure or cyber-attacks. They also routinely run backups of these systems so that you don’t have to create your own in-house backup plan.
5. Stores Data Securely
If one of your staff members loses their laptop or mobile device, your next worry is about how to retrieve that valuable data. Cloud hosting allows for redundant systems. That means there are multiple servers that contain the same data your team member lost.
Retrieving lost data is not only easy but secure as well. If your data is stored in virtual servers, it must be retrieved with a password and user name for you to be able to access the files. You can also remove data remotely from these lost devices so that it doesn’t fall into dishonest hands.
6. Updates Hardware Automatically
Cloud hosting servers are upgraded and services automatically by the service providers so you don’t have to be concerned with costly hardware upgrades. They also take care of any security updates for you. That means you can focus on what matters most — running your business!
7. Spares the Environment
One of the other benefits of cloud services is that it’s actually nicer on the environment. Less hardware requires less physical space and cooling obligations. Cloud hosting uses less energy than physical servers.
Some data centers now use alternative forms of energy to power their facilities. Examples of these alternative forms include solar energy and wind power. Companies can feel good knowing that they can stay in operation and save money on energy costs all at the same time because they’re using fewer data centers.
8. High Uptime and Availability
When it comes to cloud hosting, uptime is an important measurement. Uptime means the percentage of time that your website or server is active and correctly functioning during the year. If something happens to your physical server (i.e., crash, goes offline) so does your site.
With cloud hosting, you can maintain your uptime because your site is using multiple servers that can cover for each other. If one virtual server has technical problems, you’re simply transferred to another in the same network
9. Fast Website Performance and Speed
Most cloud servers allow you to balance the load between multiple server environments. This can increase your site’s capacity and load time and not strain a single server. Most cloud hosting sites have premium server hardware and multiple caching layers so that you can have lightning-fast speeds.
10. Keeps You Organized and Competitive
Other benefits of cloud computing include delivering performance analytics. This data helps companies find trends or patterns in customer habits. Companies can use this data to plan their next product or service campaign to optimize sales.
Cloud services also help you recognize room for efficiencies in your current business procedures. Cloud services can deliver financial analytics on how well your company is operating. You can then redirect resources from less cost-effective systems.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking of moving to a cloud-based server, you should ask yourself the following questions.
Is my company expected to grow quickly and necessitate quick scalability? Do you have the skill to configure a data system backup plan if your hardware fails? Or even more importantly, do you have the funds to replace it if it does fail?
Your answers to these questions might make your decision an easy one. If you’re looking for services that support security, affordability, and scalability, cloud hosting is definitely worth looking into. Your journey into the “cloud” just might be the smartest business move you can make.
