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Cloud computing is a particularly hot topic today. Many website owners feel that it might be a good idea to migrate to the cloud. However, it may not be the best option for many bloggers. Here are some possible drawbacks you will need to think about before moving your site to the cloud.
Economies of Scale
One of the biggest reasons most websites migrate to the cloud is that they want to save on hosting fees. A 2011 study showed that cloud computing could save many businesses 50 to 67% on hosting. However, cloud computing can actually cost you more money if you have a smaller blog.
Cloud computing plans typically cost more up front. Companies that use a large amount of data usually save when they store it on the cloud. However, small blogs don’t usually use enough bandwidth to make it economically viable.
You may be able to find a cloud host that allows you to pay for their data and services that you actually use. You can also reduce data storage and bandwidth by storing some data on the cloud and linking to it from your site. You will need to do analyze the costs of different packages before deciding whether it makes sense to use a cloud hosting plan. You may find that it will be too cost prohibitive until your site grows.
Restrictive Formats
Cloud hosting doesn’t always offer a lot of flexibility. You have more options when you are buying a high end cloud hosting plan. However, many smaller blogs resort to using Amazon and Google Docs to store some of their data. This isn’t always an ideal solution.
You need to make sure that you can store data in a way that is going to resonate with your readers. Smaller blogs often need to structure their content in a very specific way to meet their goals. Cloud hosting may be too restrictive for you.
Customer Support Issues
Many cloud providers often don’t offer the level of customer service that many people need. You may have a difficult time getting problems resolved when needed. This is especially true for online businesses with smaller budgets.
You need to be able to respond to your own users concerns as quickly as possible. Establishing a good customer service plan online is even more important than it is for many offline businesses. You don’t want to choose a cloud hosting plan that makes it difficult to address your own customers’ concerns in a timely manner.
Make Your Decision Carefully
Choosing the right hosting plan is one of the most important parts of running an online business. Many people believe that they should be moving their data to the cloud. However, that isn’t always the best solution for every business.
You will need to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of cloud hosting before committing to it. Smaller blogs may find that they can’t leverage the power of cloud computing. However, you can always consider moving your site to the cloud as it grows.
Kalen has worked as an Internet marketer and entrepreneur since 2008. Guest blogging has been one of the ways he has helped promote his sites and help his clients create a more scalable Internet marketing campaign. He started his blog http://Guestbloggingresources.com to teach other bloggers and marketers how to create a successful guest blogging campaign.
