One thing that you should understand about Magento cloud hosting is that there are different approaches to hosting, each with its own pros and cons. One of the most popular ways to host Magento stores, however, is through the use of managed servers. While self-hosting may sound easier at first glance, it comes with its own challenges. For this reason, using a managed server may be better in the long run even though it can be more expensive initially. Let’s take a look at why that’s the case below.
How do I get started?
There are a few ways to get started, depending on your comfort level. You can install Magento using one of several installation packages, with varying levels of complexity and customizability. Or you can work with an experienced agency or consultant who has done it many times before.
Will my store be secure?
The hosting provider needs to have security measures in place to protect your data and prevent attacks on your website. That includes industry-standard firewalls, anti-virus software, and operating system patches. The company should also offer multiple layers of redundancy—from hardware backups to data center backups.
Will your tech support be there when I need it?
A good cloud hosting company will offer 24/7 tech support to all customers. This is a major plus when something goes wrong with your website, because you won’t have to stay up until 4 a.m. trying to figure out how to fix it yourself. The last thing you want is for your visitors to come across broken images or cryptic error messages when they visit your site—and having help available means that can be avoided.
Can I scale easily if I outgrow your plan?
The cloud is built for scale and flexibility. If you’re starting small, but know that you’ll quickly outgrow your plan, then look for a company that offers seamless upgrade options. Think about how large of a space you’ll need.
Do you offer automatic backups?
Even if you keep your site running 24/7, it’s not uncommon for servers to go down. A good hosting provider will offer automatic backups—meaning you’ll have access to your site even if it has crashed, with data that can be restored relatively quickly. If a backup solution isn’t offered or is offered at an additional cost, look elsewhere.
What data center are you located in?
Data centers are buildings where information, mainly text and digital media, is processed, archived, and servers, networking equipment, and internet bandwidth resources are hosted. These centers usually offer raised floor space with power and cooling, protection from external environmental factors (including climate control for ensuring temperature stability), security measures (such as perimeter fencing or key card access) and fire safety systems.
How much will it cost me each month?
This answer will change depending on a number of factors, such as: do you need to run a business-critical application? How many websites will you have hosted at once? How much server storage will you require per month? The list goes on. If you’re just looking for hosting for one or two websites, your monthly expenses could be relatively low. On a scale of $0 to $200+/month, it’s hard to say how much a Magento cloud hosting service would cost you.
How much downtime can I expect during your maintenance windows?
It’s important to know that there will be downtime when you run a Magento cloud hosting environment. During our scheduled maintenance windows, we will provide as much advance notice as possible and do everything we can to minimize your downtime. However, it is worth noting that maintenance does take time and there may be times when we have to delay a maintenance window or cancel it altogether due to unforeseen circumstances.
Do you offer managed services for migration or installation?
Some companies offer managed services for Magento cloud hosting. Managed services can range from migration or installation assistance to security and uptime monitoring. Be sure to ask about these options when you’re investigating potential vendors.
Can I transfer my existing website from another host without losing customers?
It is entirely possible to transfer your site to a new host. It just takes a little bit of work, but once you get it done, your customers will remain and you’ll save yourself some money in the process.
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