When you choose the best hosting plan, keep three factors in mind – reliability, security, and customization.
Basic Shared hosting plans provide you with features that can help you initially in your business, but when your site gets good traffic, you’ll need extra resources.
If you already have a Shared web-hosting plan and you’re planning to upgrade, then consider Cloud hosting. Why Cloud hosting? Read on to find out!
Web hosting is a pivotal part of your business strategy. A well-hosted website can help your business scale higher. However, there are so many hosting options available today that it can be confusing at times. Thus, if you are not sure as to whether you should switch to Cloud hosting from Shared hosting, then this article will help you make a well-informed decision based on the comparison between these two hosting types.
Contents
A. What is Cloud Hosting?
Rather than a single confined server, Cloud hosting allows you to use resources of multiple servers. Your website is hosted on a physical server that is connected to different servers, which are joined in a cluster or cloud environment.
- It provides scalability, which means you can add more RAM and CPU to your server.
- It allows unlimited expansion when there is a surge in traffic on your site.
- Most eCommerce websites opt for Cloud hosting mainly because of the flexibility it offers.
- It is ideal for growing or large websites that need complete performance-driven features.
Purchase Cloud Hosting right away with these HostGator Coupons.
1. Highly Reliable
The architecture of Cloud hosting is built on multiple servers that are interconnected, allowing your website to function seamlessly. If there is any network issue or glitch, the site will be switch to another server without any problem. The whole set up is automatic and reliable. Cloud hosting also offers complete consistency with uptime, thereby increasing productivity, driving more website traffic, and improving sales.
2. Scalability
Scalability is the main factor that differentiates Shared hosting and Cloud hosting. With the latter option, your site will perform at an optimum level.
All the data from different servers gets stored in a common storage cluster that stores three copies of the data written to it. So, if one server goes down, the other two copies recreate the first copy. Also, your website will be migrated to another server with minimal downtime.Learn more about how to migrate a website.
Moreover, if your website resource requirements increase during peak, you’ll be able to opt for added resources. Additionally, when the demand decreases, you’ll be able to cut back. Thus, saving time & money both as the whole process is seamless.
Further reading: Difference Between Cloud Hosting and Dedicated Server
3. Performance
Since Cloud hosting involves the use of many servers, your website performance is best at any given point in time. This kind of virtualization process ensures max productivity and uptime. If you are signed-up with a popular hosting company, then expect faster loading time.
However, if you compare the performance with Shared hosting – if someone else on the server is using the bulk of resources, then there are fewer resources for everyone else to use it.
This causes website speed issue that may impact your business and lead to a high bounce rate. Therefore, when it comes to performance, Cloud hosting beats Shared hosting hands down.
4. Security
You’ll get enough security with Shared hosting. But if you upgrade to Cloud hosting, you’ll get complete protection. Most Cloud Hosting providers have high-security protocols that protect the applications and database from common security threats like Cross-scripting, Malware, and DDoS attack.
Read this HostGator review to know why HostGator is a top Cloud hosting provider.
In Shared hosting, the risks are on the higher side because many websites depend on a single server. A single malicious file on the server may contaminate other websites, especially if the server is not configured by the host.
With Cloud hosting, most hosting providers have upgraded security protocols that help in the protection of the site if there is any new threat. Cloud hosting also offers an encryption feature that secures system data and prevents attackers from infiltrating a network.
5. Pricing
Cloud hosting is costlier compared to Shared hosting, and that’s the reason why most new users stick to a basic Shared hosting plan.
But, Cloud hosting offers a pay-as-you-use model, which means you need to pay only for the resources that you use for your website.
It offers a flexible pricing model where you can use the resources when you require them and as the demand reduces stop using them. So, a flexible pricing benefit works in favour of companies that are looking for long-term expansion.
Go here to learn more about HostGator’s pricing for Cloud hosting.
6. Website Speed
Many Shared hosting platforms provide good speed depending on other websites on the same server. The more the server is shared by hosting providers, the slower it gets. Overuse of the Shared server by the hosting provider is also one of the signs of a low-quality web host.
A Cloud hosting platform automatically distributes the data from your site among several servers that drastically improves your website speed. It not only improves the traffic of your website but also helps in better ranking.
- Even a 1-second delay in page load can cause a reduction in the conversion rate of the site.
- More than 40% of people abandons a website if it doesn’t load in three seconds.
- More than 75% of online shoppers who have trouble with website speed and performance won’t return to the site to buy again.
Check out more website speed statistics here.
Google also considers speed as an important ranking factor for the site. If you upgrade to Cloud hosting, you won’t have to compromise on speed as you would have to with Shared hosting.
7. Disaster Recovery
If you opt for a Cloud hosting plan, then multiple copies of your website’s data are automatically distributed across various devices. If there is any disaster or failure, then you’ll be able to restore your entire website to how it was before.
In Shared hosting, you will have to manually take a backup from your system files if there is an issue with the website. Most website owners get worried regarding the recovery process. With the disaster recovery feature in the Cloud, you don’t have to worry about the backup process any more.
Evaluate how many visits your website will receive every month. If you’re looking for long-term expansion and want to see your site grow, you must upgrade your plan to Cloud hosting. It will provide all the features that’ll help to scale your website. It will also let you utilize resources as and when required.
D. Is HostGator a Good Choice for Cloud Hosting?
Read these hosting comparison reviews to know whether or not HostGator is a good choice for your website when it comes to Cloud hosting.
Final Thoughts,
Cloud hosting offers an ideal solution for businesses that have outgrown the resources of the existing Shared hosting provider.
If your website receives traffic spikes, then Cloud hosting is the only solution that’ll increase and decrease resources as per traffic.
Most visitors expect a faster performing website that provides maximum uptime. Upgrading from a Shared plan to Cloud hosting plan will provide added security, leads, sales, and speed.
If you have an additional budget, then do migrate from Shared hosting to Cloud hosting as it’ll give your users a better experience.Read here to learn how to host a website.
Leave a Reply