Last Updated on January 18, 2023 by Faiza Murtaza
Let’s break it down: you’re looking for cloud hosting but unable to decide between the different options available. So, what are the most crucial factors you should prefer for the final decision? That we’ll find out today. Learn about managed cloud hosting in 2023 within this detailed guide.
For instance, this guide will take you through the 7 most important factors you must consider when choosing managed cloud hosting. By the end, you’ll know exactly what aspects of a hosting provider to look for to ensure you get the best bang for your bucks.
But before we dive into this article, let’s see the benefits of using a managed cloud hosting.
That said, let’s roll in.
Security
Your cloud server security is essential. If a cloud provider doesn’t offer secure managed cloud hosting, you should avoid it even though they are providing free services because when it comes to managed cloud hosting, security is above all.
That’s why all big companies opt for trustable managed cloud hosting providers like Devrims, which provides Managed Cloud Hosting service on a secure cloud infrastructure of Amazon Web Services and DigitalOcean.
There are different aspects of security like hardware firewall, OS shorewall security, firewall management, option to deploy your own access policy on different networks ports. The most important is the secure hardware firewall. Whichever cloud service provider you pick, make sure it is responsible for firewall security and management to ensure your server & data are protected and secure.
Some unique security features you could opt-in for include:
- Multi-factor Authentication — It makes sure no one but you can access your server, data, and databases.
- Data Encryption — It helps ensure your data is secure and isolated to prevent data loss and leaks.
- Intrusion Detection — It monitors networks or systems for malicious activities and viruses.
- Prevention Systems — A network security to detect and prevent identified threats and keep your data safe.
- OS Shorewall — Make sure that the security firewall is also deployed on the operating system Shorewall level.
Pricing Plans & Renewal Rates
A cloud hosting service can have the best features in the world. But, if it falls outside your budget, it’s of no use to you.
As a rule of thumb, cloud hosting comes in all sizes in terms of price tags.
- Managed Cloud Hosting services start from as low as $12/mo.
- On the other hand, Cloud Hosting services from as low as $5/mo, but you need to manage the server by yourself, which needs a lot of expertise and time.
Whichever managed cloud hosting service you choose, make sure you can afford its pricing in the long term. For that, you need to estimate how much you’d like your app or website to grow.
For instance, if you purchase a Managed Magento Cloud Hosting, you should know that you will have to pay over $60/mo if your website/app grows to 100,000 visits/month.
Managed vs. Unmanaged Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is of two types: unmanaged and managed cloud hosting.
The regular cloud hosting is unmanaged. In unmanaged cloud hosting, you’re provided administrator-level access to your cloud server. So, you’re free to use the operating system of your choice and configure your server as per your needs, including security setup, software installations, etc.
On the other hand, in managed cloud hosting, the service provider is responsible for looking after & managing your server, including server security, application hosting, 99.99% uptime gurantee, 24/7 support etc.
So, should I opt-in for unmanaged cloud hosting or managed cloud hosting?
Well, if you don’t have the expertise to manage the cloud server, then definitely go for Managed Cloud Hosting. It also saves your time and cost. Meanwhile, if you have expertise but want to save time, then Managed Cloud Hosting is a good option again.
But, if you want to learn the cloud hosting or your application is built on custom architecture, then go for cloud hosting.
Data Backups & Server Snapshots
Hardware failure is the reason for data loss in 40% of cases. Other main reasons are human error and data breaches.
One way or another, keeping your data protected should be a concern when choosing managed cloud hosting. And off-site data backups tend to be an effective way to protect data as you can recover it anytime.
But sadly, not all cloud hosting providers offer data backups. Some of them don’t offer it at all, while others may charge a lot for data backups. So, when choosing cloud hosting for your website/app, make sure it offers reliable data backups at a cheap rate.
On the other hand, managed cloud hosting providers have on-site and off-site backup options with your own backup policies.
Customer Support
Imagine you lose your cloud server configuration without knowing what happened. Or, your server goes down. What will be the first thing that you do?
Well, if your cloud provider offers a customer support service, you could probably contact them and explain to them your issue. If the customer support repressive is good, they’ll probably help you overcome your issue.
Many managed cloud hosting platforms provide 24*7 chat and ticket support. We recommend a cloud host that offers 24/7 real-time customer support.
Ease of Use
If cloud hosting is too hard to manage, what’s the use?
Ease of use is one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a managed cloud hosting service. It determines what kind of experience you’re going to have with the platform. If a service is easy to use, it can save you lots of time in the long run.
So, make sure you go for an easy-to-use cloud provider when looking for one.
Server Uptime Commitment
Whether you’re purchasing managed cloud hosting for your blog, eCommerce website, dropshipping store, or portfolio, having your website running 24/7 is essential for professionalism.
However, the availability of your website solely depends upon the cloud hosting service you pick. The better uptime or SLA a cloud provider guarantees, the more your website will be available.
We recommend that you aim for a 99.99% average server uptime. It translates to 52 minutes and 35 seconds of downtime a year, which is reasonable for maintenance, etc. Anything below 99.95% is not recommended and could hurt your brand/website.
Key Takeaways
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a cloud hosting service? Here are the takeaways:
- Consider data center and server security when choosing a cloud hosting service to ensure your server is safe, protected, and isolated.
- Before you sign up at a cloud host, be sure you’re comfortable with its pricing. Also, look at the renewal rates to avoid inconvenience over time.
- According to your needs, determine whether to go for an unmanaged cloud hosting service or a managed one.
- Whichever cloud service you pick, look out for data backups and server snapshots to protect your data and server configurations, respectively.
- Cloud hosting with 24/7 customer support should be your preference to ensure the provider has your back in case you overcome a critical issue.
- Choosing an easy-to-use and reliable cloud provider should be your priority.
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