It goes without saying that every business can benefit from cloud computing. Yet, in order to choose the right cloud hosting provider for your business, you must pay attention to these tips:
#1: User Interface (UI)
UI is an essential element for you to look for when examining a particular cloud computing solution. If you want to ensure your IT sections will migrate to the new virtualized working environments properly, then you must use an excellent UI. Therefore, only a cloud provider with a proven user-friendly UI can be your top choice.
#2: Service Level Agreement
This type of agreement is a guarantee of the provider’s commitment you need when using cloud hosting services. For example, the SLA can include the section that obliges the provider to act quickly when facing problems or refund some credits to cover the unwanted downtime costs. Meaning, if the SLA is inadequate regardless of the reasons, then you simply can’t expect the right kind of service quality or commitment.
#3: Performance
The computing resources utilized by cloud providers often vary in size and capacity. For instance, storage capacity and response time are the key factors that influence the overall performance for your apps in a cloud working environment.
#4: Security
Can your cloud provider guarantee the proper security levels for the network and all data you are using? How? One of the ways to improve the safety of your data is to look for providers who have acquired the proper security certifications and standards in this field.
#5: Location of Provider’s Network Infrastructure and Data Centers
The network infrastructure has to be fully capable of supporting your specific business requirements. In addition, the location of data centers used by your provider can have a tremendous impact on the overall performance in numerous ways. For instance, we are talking about the speed, acceptable apps design, statute restrictions, the applicability of local laws, and similar.
#6: Customer Service and Tech Support
It is essential to determine whether your cloud services provider offers free or paid technical support, partially or completely, for both pay-as-you-go and subscription models. Therefore, the support department of your future provider is extremely important for your final choice in this matter.
#7: Billing and Pricing
As a cloud customer, you should be aware of the following main resources: RAM, CPU, bandwidth, and data storage. Furthermore, you may have to question your decision to choose a provider entirely on the criterion of the lowest price available. In the long run, you may have to pay more than you initially planned.
#8: Total vs. Hidden Costs
It’s not a secret nor a surprise that many cloud hosting providers tend to hide the amount of the total costs associated with their services. Sometimes, there’s a huge gap between the real and the so-called advertised price. When it comes to this, you have to have total transparency and understanding of your provider’s pricing policy.
#9: Financial Security
How long has your provider been in this business? Is your cloud provider sufficiently funded and financially sound? How about a possibility for an eventual merge or acquisition? It’s better to ask these questions before you sign a user’s agreement than later when you are already using the full scope of cloud hosting services.
#10: References
Finally, it all comes down to the reputation, doesn’t it? Just like in any other business, the cloud hosting service providers have to be evaluated and compared thoroughly. You should look for their references so that you can verify the quality and reliability of their services, overall network performance, and customer support quality.
