Cloud Hosting Article

As a mobile society, we increasingly rely on applications to support our social lives, entertainment needs and business interactions. When that application is the latter, chances are the hosting service provider must meet a higher standard to ensure consistent service to the customer base. Selecting the right cloud hosting provider to meet this expectation is certainly a challenge, but asking the right questions is a great way to start.

There are at least 10 questions you should ask your application hosting provider to ensure you find the right match.

Longevity – ask the cloud hosting provider how long it has been in the industry, as the experience gathered is priceless. A reliable track record is also an important asset to have in place.

Reputation – a provider should definitely have a solid reputation based on past performances. Ask to speak to current and happy customers and don’t let the size of the company fool you.

Support – if you need support around the clock, ask for it. It’s not necessarily a given for all hosting providers and must be clarified in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Security – while this topic should really be at the top of the list, security is always important. Check out the provider’s security measures through a background check if possible. It may seem extreme, but your data depends on it.

Scalability – if you plan to get any bigger than you are today, be sure your cloud hosting provider can grow with you. Larger volumes of traffic to your site could cause significant problems, which is never good for growth.

Flexibility – even as you grow, other things within the organization are bound to change. Can the provider maintain pace with these changes to ensure consistent service?

Limitations – access to your applications at all times and from all locations is essential. If you’re away from your workplace and you can’t access the network, you lose productivity and maybe even a sale.

Pricing – pricing should always be flexible as your needs will change over time. Likewise, you want to be sure the provider can deliver what you need when you need it.

Current customers – they are the best source of information when it comes to performance. Knowing the current customer list also allows you to measure what the provider can handle.

The environment – a provider performing in the cloud is already contributing to a positive environmental impact. Pay attention and make sure other decisions made support a reduction in the carbon footprint.

After you get some clarification on these topics, you’ll be better positioned to select the right cloud hosting provider to best suit your environment.