What is the cloud? How does it work?
Cloud-based Canadian website hosting relies on the virtual resources of multiple virtual (non-physical) servers. These servers work in unison to store files such as those required for your website; cloud data hosting can also be used for storing personal files or professional documents, and are ideal for the storage and distribution of large files such as audio files and videos. Cloud servers can function independently and have all the software they require to function.
By utilizing multiple cloud servers, the load becomes balanced, no strain is placed on physical hardware, and security protocols are easily implemented and maintained.
Who gets the most out of cloud web hosting?
For those whose websites have grown too large for shared hosting hardware to accommodate, need specialized Canadian WordPress website hosting (more information here), or experience such a great deal of heavy traffic that hardware servers struggle to maintain the website’s upkeep, cloud web hosting offers an ideal solution. It provides many of the same advantages that dedicated hosting can provide, without the plethora of extra costs and complications, and without the need for IT skills and technical knowledge.
Cloud web hosting gives you what you want when you need it.
Imagine you run a business that sees seasonal dips and spurts; most companies do. During high traffic periods such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, your site will experience a massive flow of traffic as users rush to make their purchases. Then, in the aftermath, activity will drop off. On a “traditional” physical server, your site may not be able to keep up with the sudden stream of traffic the same way that a small high street store would not be able to accommodate a hundred people all rushing through its entrance door at the same time. Like the high street door, your website would then be forced to close down temporarily – the worst thing that can happen during the busy seasonal period. You would then suffer a loss of sales.
The benefits of cloud web hosting.
With cloud web hosting, resources can be increased when needed. Unlike “traditional” physical servers, you can expand your “cloud” when it becomes necessary, and you can do away with those additional resources if and when you no longer need them. These options do exist for users of servers of the physical web hosting providers, too, but expansion can be complicated and costly; with the cloud, the matter is made simple.
Cloud web hosting offers immediate action. Increasing your resources with a hardware server host would entail a lengthy process, often including a back-and-forth of telephone calls and emails. Sometimes your provider may require you to take your site offline to process an upgrade – and often the enhancements experience problems or do not work exactly as expected. You’ve probably noticed a few websites that you have tried to visit yourself, only to learn that they are experiencing “technical difficulties” or are “temporarily unavailable.” This is the reason, in many cases: the servers are not providing adequate resources.
Expansion of the cloud not only works exactly as you require but can be done by you, instantly and seamlessly. It takes all the stress and hassles out of the equation for good.
But how does it work, you may ask? How can I expand my website without first signing a deal and agreeing on the fees?
Costs
It is true that with shared hosting and dedicated hosting environments, a user must sign up to a plan and pay the fees in advance. This brings with it a variety of problems: you may find that you have wasted money paying for more than you need, or that the resources that you’ve paid for are inadequate. And what if you need to expand your resources for a short time, but are forced to sign up for six months or a year?
With cloud web hosting you pay for what you use. You expand your site and you are charged for what you use. When the need for extra resources ceases, you release those resources, and they cease to incur charges.
Cloud-based Canadian web hosting offers a smooth, efficient and streamlined way to run your website. The hassle and stress of relying on physical servers are rendered a thing of the past, and you can get back to focusing on your site and its content.