What is Cloud Hosting? – A Comprehensive Guide to 3 Types

A lof of website owners often ask, what is cloud hosting?  To answer, let’s compare your website to a car.  Instead of zooming down the highway, it is stuck in rush hour traffic, crawling along at a snail’s pace.  It is a frustrating situation.  However, this is what you can get when your website is housed on a shared server in which there are a lot of other websites (cars) vying for the same resources.  Fortunately there is a solution that allows for more resources, called cloud hosting.

Cloud hosting is like trading in a slow car for a high-performance sports car.  Cloud hosting leverages the power of the cloud to deliver fast speeds, reliability, and scalability.  With shared hosting, your website is reliant on a single physical server.  Cloud hosting distributes your website across a network of interconnected servers reducing load on each one.

How Does Cloud Hosting Work?

To draw another analogy, let’s compare a single house (a physical server) to a single apartment in a large building (the cloud).  The large apartment building has many apartments (virtual servers), that are each independent, but sharing resources like electricity, water, and security.  By using cloud hosting, if one server is tied up, another can be used immediately.  In short, cloud hosting takes multiple powerful servers and divides them into smaller independent virtual servers, allowing for flexibility, scalability, and redundancy, which you then use to host your website.

The Components of Cloud Hosting

• Physical Servers: The servers, which are housed in secure data centers around the globe, are the most basic component.  They provide the raw computing power for cloud hosting.
• Virtualization: Virtualization software, like a hypervisor, creates multiple independent virtual servers (VMs) from a single physical server.  Each VM acts like its own dedicated server, with its own operating system, resources, and applications, while sharing the same underlying physical hardware.
• Hypervisor: This software acts like the building manager, allocating resources (CPU, RAM, storage) to VM and ensuring they do not interfere with each other.  This software is key to creating and managing the virtual environment.
• Network: A high-speed network connects all of the servers together, allowing them to communicate and share data seamlessly.  This same network connects your website to the internet giving you fast and reliable access for your visitors.

Why is Cloud Hosting better than Shared Hosting?

• Resource Pooling: If one VM needs more power, it can borrow resources from the others, giving your website the ability to handle traffic spikes without crashing (PR Newswire 2015).
• Redundancy: If one physical server fails, your website can be quickly moved to another server, minimizing downtime.
• Efficiency: By sharing resources, cloud hosting is often more cost-effective than owning and maintaining your own physical server.

Types of Cloud Hosting

Generally there three types of cloud hosting, public, private, and hybrid.  Another called community cloud is used by an individual community of organization (Sri lakshmi and Mohammed 2021).  Below we will go over the characteristics of the three main types.

Public Cloud Hosting

Public hosting is similar to a park where the resources are shared to anybody who comes and goes.  Think of shared benches, playgrounds, and open spaces.  Under this arrangement you share computing resources (servers, storage, and the network) with other users.  This is the closest to shared hosting, but in the cloud.

Public hosting is best for websites that have fluctuating traffic, startups, small businesses, and applications that do not require strict security or compliance.  Examples of public hosting include: AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure.

Some advantages and disadvantages of public hosting include:

• Advantages:
  • It is Cost-Effective: Public hosting is often the most affordable option since you only pay for the resources you use.
  • Scalability: It is easy to scale resources up or down as needed.
  • It is maintenance-free: The provider handles all of the underlying infrastructure.
• Disadvantages:
  • There is Less Control: You have limited control over the environment and security settings.
  • There is the Potential for ‘noisy neighbors”: If another website on the same server has a surge in traffic it could impact your website’s performance, although not as much as a shared server.

Private Cloud Hosting

Private hosting is the country club of the internet where access if restricted and the resources are strictly for members.  With private hosting you have your own dedicated infrastructure that is either on-site or hosted by a provider and is like a private server room.  Private hosting is best for large organizations, enterprises that have strict security and compliance requirements, or applications that handle sensitive data.

Some advantages and disadvantages of private hosting include:

• Advantages: 
  • Enhanced Security and Control: You have complete control over the environment and can implement customized security measures.
  • Improved Performance: Dedicated resources means that there is no competition for resources with other users.
• Disadvantages: 
  • It Comes at a Higher Cost: This hosting is more expensive than public hosting due to the dedicated infrastructure.
  • Requires IT Expertise: Customers using this hosting need to have in-house expertise to manage and maintain the infrastructure.

Hybrid Cloud Hosting

Hybrid hosting combines the best of public and private hosting.  With this hosting you get the flexibility to use both as you need them.  When using a hybrid model you have a mix of public and private clouds, allowing you to choose the best environment for what you are doing at the time.  Hybrid hosting is best for organizations that have varying needs, those that are undergoing a digital transformation, or those that need to meet specific compliance requirements for certain data.

Some advantages and disadvantages of this hosting include:

• Advantages:
  • Flexibility: You can run less sensitive applications on the public cloud while keeping critical data and applications on the private cloud.
  • Optimizes Cost: You can balance cost and performance by choosing the right environment for each workload.
• Disadvantages:
  • It is complex: This hosting requires careful planning and management to integrate both environments effectively.

Benefits of Cloud Hosting

Besides the benefits of the different types of cloud hosting, there are many benefits to this hosting as a whole.  Some of these include:

• Scalability: You do not suffer downtime if your website traffic spikes because of a viral product or post.  However, with traditional hosting, you might face a slowdown or even an outright crash.  With cloud hosting, if you need more power, you can just add more proverbial lanes to the digital highway to handle the increased traffic.  When the traffic slows, you can scale back down to save costs.  This agility ensures that your website can handle any situation.
• Reliability: Cloud hosting offers exceptional reliability because of its redundancy; since your website is not just hosted on one server, but across a network of servers.  If one server goes down, your site automatically switches to another, making sure your online presence remains uninterrupted.  It is like a backup generator that fires up during a power outage.
• It is Cost Effective: Unlike traditional hosting that involves a significant up-front cost, cloud hosting works on a pay-as-you-go model.  You only pay for the resources you actually use, similar to your electricity bill.  This eliminates the need for large capital investments and allows you to scale your costs along with your website’s growth.
• It is Secure: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures such as:
  • Data Encryption: Protects your data in transit and at rest.
  • Access Control: Restricting access to your server and data.
  • Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems: These help prevent malicious attacks.
  • Regular Security Audits and Updates: These provide continuous protection against emerging threats.
• There is Flexibility: Cloud hosting provides flexibility in operating systems, software, and configurations to customize your hosting environment.  This allows you to easily deploy different applications, experiment with new technologies, and adapt to changing business requirements (Srinivasaghavan 2023).
• It has Speed Performance: Cloud hosting can offer exceptional website performance, which translates to faster loading speeds, an improved user experience, and better search engine rankings.

Cloud Hosting vs. Traditional Forms of Hosting

Below are some comparisons between cloud hosting and more traditional forms of hosting.

• Cloud vs. Shared Hosting:
  • Shared: This hosting is like a large house with many rooms, each rented out to different tenants.  In the house, you share the kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces with everyone else.
    • Pros: It is affordable, easy to set up, and requires minimal technical knowledge.
    • Cons: You have limited resources, there are potential performance issues if other sites experience high traffic, and there is less control over security.
  • Cloud: As discussed previously, this hosting is like having your own apartment in a large building.  You have your own dedicated space and resources, but also share some common infrastructure.
    • Pros: Scalable, reliable, secure, high performance
    • Cons: Can be more expensive than shared hosting and may require some technical knowledge to manage.
  • How to Choose between these two types of hosting:
    • Shared: Best for small websites with low traffic, beginners, and those on a tight budget.
    • Cloud: Ideal for growing websites, businesses needing scalability and reliability, and those with high security needs.
• Cloud vs. Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting:
  • VPS: This hosting is like renting a floor in a building.  You have more space and control than a shared room, but you are still in the building with others.  You still have a dedicated part of a server with its own operating system and resources.  It is suitable for medium-sized websites with moderate traffic, and those that need more control than shared hosting and/or specific software requirements.
    • Pros: You have more control and customization than shared hosting, better performance, and increased security.
    • Cons: It is more expensive that shared hosting and requires technical knowledge.
  • Cloud: This hosting takes the concept of VPS further by distributing your website across multiple virtual servers, adding redundancy and scalability that single VPS cannot match.
    • Pros: Higher availability, easier scalability, and greater flexibility
    • Cons: Can be more expensive than VPS for basic needs
• Cloud vs. Dedicated Hosting:
  • Dedicated: This hosting is similar to full house ownership.  You have complete control over the server and all its resources, but you are also responsible for everything, from maintenace to security.  It is best for large enterprises with very high traffic, mission critical applications, and requires in-house IT expertise.
  • Cloud: This hosting does not offer the same level of control as dedicated, however, it provides comparable performance and often surpasses it is in scalability and reliability.
    • Pros: More cost-effective than dedicated hosting for most use cases.  It is easier to manage and is highly scalable.
    • Cons: There is less control over the server environment compared to dedicated hosting.

Cloud Hosting Providers

There are a number of cloud hosting providers.  The ones discussed below are the larger providers, but you can also get hosting from some of the more standard providers such as TMDHosting, BlueHost, and SiteGround.  The larger providers include:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS is one of the leaders in cloud services and holds the largest market share.  They were one of the first in the field and have a comprehensive set of offerings.  This is a solution for a wide range of users from individuals and startups to large enterprises.  Some of its features include:
  • Massive Global Infrastructure: AWS has data centers around the world for low latency and high availability.
  • Offers an Extensive Range of Services: AWS has everything from basic computing and storage to advanced AI/ML, databases, and IoT.
  • Has Flexible Pricing: AWS has pay-as-you-go models and various discounts.
  • Has a Strong Community and Support: AWS has a large user base, extensive documentation, and various support options.
• Microsoft Azure: Microsoft is focused on the enterprise market and includes seamless integration with Microsoft products.  It is best for businesses that already use Microsoft products, enterprises that need hybrid cloud solutions, and those needing strong security and have compliance requirements.  Some of its features incldude:
  • Hybrid Cloud Solutions: It provides options for businesses looking to combine on-premises infrastructure with the cloud.
  • It focuses on Security and Compliance: Microsoft provides robust security features and compliance certifications.
  • It has Developer-friendly Tools: Microsoft has stong support for .NET development and integration with Visual Studio.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google is known for its cutting-edge technology in big data, analytics, and machine learning.  It is best for data-driven businesses, startups, and developers working with open-source technologies, and those seeking advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities.  Some key features include:
  • Powerful Data Analytics Tools: Google uses BigQuery for large-scale data analysis and machine learning services.
  • Competitive Pricing: Google uses aggressive pricing strategies and sustained use discounts.
  • Kubernetes Expertise: Google is the birthplace of Kubernetes and is the leading container orchestration platform.
• Some Other Providers:
  • IBM Cloud: Provides a strong focus on enterprise solutions, hybrid cloud, and AI.
  • Alibaba Cloud: Rapidly growing provider with competitive pricing.
  • DigitalOcean: Developer-friendly platform with simple pricing and a focus on ease of use.
  • Linode: A developer-friendly provider that is known for its affordable pricing and excellent customer service.
  • Hybrid providers: Verpex, a hosting provider that provides co-cloud hosting with a combination of cloud providers (PR Newswire 2020) and Hivelocity, which offers a hybrid of VPS and Cloud hosting (PR Newswire 2023).

How to Select a Cloud Hosting Provider

You need to think strategically when selecting your cloud hosting provider.  Some of the factors to consider include:

• Define what Hosting you Need:
  • What type of website or application are you hosting?:  For example, a simple blog has different needs than a high-traffic e-commerce store or a complex web application.
  • What are your traffic expectations?:  Try to estimate your current and future traffic volume to ensure the provider can handle your needs.
  • What level of performance do you require?:  Consider factors such as page load speed, uptime, and latency.
  • What specific features do you need?:  Do you need databases, managed services, specific software support, or developer tools?
  • What are your security and compliance requirements?:  Do you handle sensitive data or need to comply with specific regulations (e.g. HIPAA, GDPR)?
• Pricing: There are a number of pricing models that can be complex and it is crucial to understand them.  Try to look for discounts and if unsure, maybe go with a more standard host such as TMDHosting, BlueHost, or SiteGround.  Some of the various pricing models include:
  • Pay-as-you-go: You pay only for the resources you consume, similar to a utility bill.  This offers flexibility, but requires monitoring of your usage.
  • Reserved Instances: You can reserve resources for a specific period at a discounted rate.  This is suitable for stable workloads with predicatable resource needs.
  • Spot Instances: You bid on spare computing capacity at a significantly lower price.  This is ideal for fault-tolerant applications or short-term tasks.
  • Data Transfer Costs: Be aware of potential charges for data transfer in and out of the cloud.
  • Hidden Costs: Look out for potential costs, such as storage fees, support charges, or premium features.
• Support: Evaluate the provider’s customer support options when issues arise and documentation.  Some things to look for include:
  • Availability: Is support available 24/7?  What are the response times?
  • Channels: Do they offer phone, email, chat, or online forums?
  • Documentation: Is these comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and knowledge bases available?
  • Community: Is there an active user community or forum where you can seek help from other users?
• The Performance and Service Level Agreement (SLA):  Look at the providers performance guarantees on things such as uptime, latency, and support response times.
  • Uptime Guarantee:  Look for providers with high uptime guarantees (e.g 99.99%).
  • Performance Metrics: Understand how the provider measures and reports on performance.
  • Compensation: What happens if the provider fails to meet its SLA obligations?
• Location of Data Centers: the physical location of the provider can impact website loading speeds.  However, with a more standard provider, you can also use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to alleviate this.
  • Latency: Choose a provider with data centers close to your target audience to minimize latency (the delay in data transfer).
  • Data Sovereignty: Consider data sovereignty regulations that might require your data to be stored in specific geographic locations.
• What else to look for: Look at what else the provider can give you.
  • Control Panel: Is the provider’s control panel user-friendly and intuitive?
  • Security Features: What security measures are in place to protect your data?
  • Migration Support: Does the provider offer assistance with migrating your website to their platform?
  • Vendor lock-in: How easy is it to switch providers if needed?

Security of Your Data

Since data is the heart of any IT asset, you want to be sure that your hosting has adequate security and cloud hosting is no different.  Things to look for to guarantee your data is safe are:

• Encryption: Make sure your data is encrypted both in transit (between your computer and the cloud) and at rest (stored on the provider’s servers) is a fundamental part of security.  Encryption makes data unreadable to unauthorized individuals even if they gain access.
• Access Control: Implement strict access controls to limit who can access your data and what they can do with it.  Use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access control to prevent unauthorized access.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Employ DLP tools to prevent sensitive data from leaving your cloud environment, whether intentionally or accidentally.
• Regular Backups: Regularly backup your data to a separate location (ideally in a different geographic region) to ensure you can recover it in case of a disaster or data loss incident.

Compliance of the Cloud Hosting

If you handle sensitive data such as personal health information (PHI) or financial data, you need to comply with relevant regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS.

• Choose a Compliant Provider: Select a cloud provider that meets the necessary compliance standards and offers features to help you maintain compliance.  Especially those using blockchain technology which provides extra security (Shahzad, et al 2024).
• Implement Compliance Measures: Implement appropriate security controls and processes to meet the specific requirements of the regulations that apply to your business.

Sharing the Security Responsibility with Your Cloud Hosting Provider

While your hosting provider may provide some security, it is also up to the website owner to be careful about what they are doing to help.  Below are some of the responsibilities of each party.

• Hosting Provider Responsibility: The provider is responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure, including physical security, network security, and the hypervisor.
• The Website Owner’s Responsibility: The website owner needs to secure the applications, data, and operating systems by configuring access controls, managing user accounts, and implementing security best practices.

What is the Future of Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting is continually evolving and there are a number of trends developing in the field.  These include:

• Serverless Computing: Building and running applications without having to manage servers.  Examples include AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, and Azure Functions.
  • Focuses on Code or Website: Instead of worrying about your plan or infrastructure you just deploy your website or code to the cloud.  The host handles all of the server management, scaling, and resource allocation.
  • Pay-per-use: You only pay for the execution time of your code, making for a cost effective solution for applications with sporadic or unpredictable workloads.
  • Increased Agility: Serverless computing allows for faster development and deployment.
• Edge Computing: Edge computing is the process of bringing mini-data centers closer to the users or devices that need the data.  This technology can be used in:
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Analyzing data from connected devices in real-time.
  • Autonomous Vehicles: Making split-second decisions based on sensor data.
  • Streaming Services: Delivering high-quality video content with minimal latency.
• AI and Machine Learning: 
  • Automated Management: AI and ML can automate tasks like resource allocation, scaling, and security monitoring.
  • Performance Optimization: AI can analyze website traffic patterns and optimize resource utilization to improve performance and reduce costs.
  • Enhanced Security: ML algorithms can detect and respond to security threats in real-time, strengthening cloud security.

Conclusion

Cloud hosting provides unparalled scalability, allowing your website to adapt to changing traffic demands effortlessly.  Using it, you do not have to worry about sudden surges, slowdowns, or crashes.  This hosting guarantees exceptional reliability, minimal downtime, and can be a cost effective solution that allows you to pay for only what you use.

References

• Lakshmi, Madaboina and Moulana Mohammed. 2021.  Privacy Protection in Cloud Computing.  Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation 32 (2): 103-109.
• PR Newswire.  2023.  Hivelocity Announces New VPS Cloud Hosting Services.  PR Newswire 10/12/2023.
• PR Newswire. 2020.  Verpex Launches First “Co-Cloud Hosting” Service, Optimizes Site Speed, Reliability and Email Deliverability.  PR Newswire 05/04/2020.
• PR Newswire.  2015.  Avatar New York Reveals 5 Business Advantages of Cloud Hosting.  PR Newswire 08/15/2015.
• Shahzad, Ali, Wenyu Chen, Momina Shaheen, Yin Zhang, and Faizen Ahmad.  2024.  A robust algorithm for authenticated health data access via blockchain and cloud computing.  PLoS ONE 19 (9): 1-25.
• Srinivasaraghavan, Raj.  2023.  Cloud Hosting sets up the pathway to remove platform barriers, achieve scalability.  PC Quest 36 (1): 62-63.