Introduction to Cloudways

When building a new website, the first thing you need to worry about is the Hosting. A hosting service takes care of the storage space, domain name management, security and SSL certificates, server management, bandwidth allocation, website backup and restoration, and more.

So you can understand the gravity of choosing the best hosting service provider. Now, when it comes to WordPress hosting, there are several options to choose from. But you want the service that will ensure the best level of storage, security, performance, customizations, and more for your website. 

That’s where Cloudways’ Managed Cloud Hosting comes in. Not only is this service scalable and budget-friendly, but it is also much simpler compared to the likes of Amazon Web Services (AWS). So anyone, with or without web development experience, can benefit from their services.

Here are the key features of this hosting service:

• Pay As You Go
• Free Migration
• No Lock-in
• Free SSL Certificates
• Unlimited Applications
• 24/7/365 Support

These features make it one of the best cloud hosting services available. 

So in this review, we’ll look at this managed cloud hosting service with respect to the scalability & performance, support, user interface, security, and pricing. But first, we’ll tell you all about how you can establish your WordPress website on Cloudways’ Managed Cloud Hosting. 

So without further ado, let’s start.

Performance and Scalability

Cloudways provides a highly optimized server infrastructure for unmatched performance. This managed cloud server platform ensures hassle-free operations, with dedicated teams handling server management tasks. Their auto-scaling feature efficiently handles traffic surges, providing seamless scalability while vertical scaling upgrades resources, ensuring high performance during peak demands. Cloudways implements advanced caching mechanisms for speedy content delivery. The platform is integrated with Cloudflare CDN, widely known for its extensive global network, which further enhances site speed and user experience. In essence, Cloudways combines performance and scalability, helping businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

With Cloudways, businesses benefit from a tailor-made server setup. The infrastructure is configured to optimize performance for various applications, resulting in faster loading times and improved overall efficiency. Their managed cloud servers offer the advantage of freeing businesses from the complexities of server management, letting them focus on growth and innovation. The auto-scaling feature ensures that your applications are always available, adapting to sudden changes in traffic, while vertical scaling allows quick resource upgrades.

Cloudways’ robust caching techniques coupled with Cloudflare CDN boost website speed significantly. This powerful combination results in quicker page load times and a better user experience, crucial in today’s digital age. Cloudways’ performance and scalability features hence offer a comprehensive solution, making it an ideal choice for businesses aiming for top-notch digital performance.

Setting up a WordPress Website on Cloudways Managed Hosting

Let’s follow the process of setting up a WordPress website on Cloudways Managed Hosting:

Step 1: Creating a Cloudways Account

• Go to the Cloudways website and click on the “Create Account” button.
• Enter your company name, email address, and password.
• Click on the “Create Account” button.

Step 2: Selecting the Cloud Provider

• After creating the account, you will be redirected to the Cloudways dashboard.
• Click on the “Select Cloud Provider” button.
• Select the cloud provider of your choice.
• Click on the “Launch Now” button.

Step 3: Launching a WordPress Server

• Once you have selected a cloud provider, you will be taken to the “Launch Server” page.
• Enter the following information:
  • Server Name
  • Server Location
  • Server Plan
• Click on the “Launch Server” button.

Step 4: Configuring WordPress on Cloudways

• Once your server has been launched, you will be taken to the “WordPress Configuration” page.
• Enter the following information:
  • Domain Name
  • Admin Username
  • Admin Password
• Click on the “Install WordPress” button.

Your WordPress website will now be installed on Cloudways. You can access it by typing your domain name in a web browser.

Now that you have established your website on Cloudways hosting let’s discuss the comprehensive review of the same. 

User Interface

Cloudways Managed Hosting Service has a user-friendly and organized interface providing a clear view of the applications, server resources, and domains. That allows the visitors to navigate through different sections effortlessly. 

Server management is straightforward, with real-time monitoring and easy scaling options. The Applications section allows for quick deployment of popular applications with one-click installs. It also provides essential metrics for monitoring performance. 

Managing your applications on Cloudways is straightforward. You can view a list of your installed applications, including WordPress, Magento, WooCommerce, and more. The platform allows you to deploy new applications with just a few clicks. You can easily access application-specific settings, configure SSL certificates, manage domain mapping, set up cron jobs, and handle application backups and restores.

Domain management is also seamless and guides the users through DNS configuration and SSL certificate setup. Its UI is responsive, ensuring accessibility from desktop or mobile devices. Additionally, Cloudways offers comprehensive documentation and tutorials to assist users in utilizing the platform effectively. 

Overall, the user interface of Cloudways is designed for simplicity and functionality. So the users can manage their hosting environment with ease, regardless of their technical expertise.

Storage

Cloudways Managed Cloud Hosting ensures that WordPress websites have sufficient storage space for their files, media content, and database information. Cloudways ensures easy scalability of storage space as websites grow. So the users can upgrade and expand the storage resources without much downtime.

Moreover, there are caching and CDN integrations that can help save storage by providing the website users with cached info. Moreover, this service implements regular backups with robust data security measures to ensure the WordPress websites have the necessary storage space while prioritizing data protection.

Scalability & Performance

One of the biggest highlights of this hosting provider is that it offers exceptional scalability and performance for WordPress websites. The platform’s seamless scalability allows users to adjust server resources, such as CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth, with just a few clicks. This flexibility ensures that websites can handle increased traffic and accommodate resource-intensive applications without compromising performance.

Cloudways optimizes the server stack, including the operating system, web server, PHP versions, and database, to deliver optimal performance. The platform takes care of server management, security patches, updates, and backups. So you can focus on managing your WordPress website and content without getting involved in server-related complexities.

Cloudways provides auto-scaling and vertical scaling capabilities. Auto-scaling allows your server resources (like CPU, RAM, and storage) to automatically adjust based on the website’s traffic demands. It also has vertical scaling, which allows you to manually adjust the server resources as per your requirements. That allows you the flexibility to scale up or down.

Moreover, Cloudways offers an extensive global network of data centers, allowing businesses to select server locations closer to their target audience. That reduces the latency by minimizing the distance between users and servers, which results in improved website performance and enhanced user experience.

Security

Prioritizing the safety of WordPress websites, Cloudways Managed Hosting Service implements a range of security practices to ensure the safety and integrity of websites.

Cloudways incorporates regular security patches and updates, which helps prevent potential exploits and ensures that websites are running on the latest, most secure versions of WordPress and related components. The platform allows users to schedule regular backups of their WordPress websites. So your website can be restored as it is in case of data loss or other issues.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates are readily available on the Cloudways hosting platform. So you can secure your website with HTTPS encryption and establish a secure connection with visitors. It also offers an application-level security layer and employs measures like account isolation, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and secure SFTP/SSH access to safeguard the site.

Cloudways introduces a feature called SafeUpdates, specifically designed for WordPress websites. SafeUpdates creates a temporary clone of your website. So you can test the changes and updates before applying them to the live site. That ensures any potential issues are identified and resolved before they impact your live website.

Support & Customer Service

Cloudways provides round-the-clock technical support to address any hosting-related issues or concerns. You can connect via live chat or the ticketing system for prompt assistance with your WordPress website. Moreover, there is a knowledge base and documentation section containing a wealth of information and resources. That includes tutorials, guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting steps. So you can understand and resolve common issues more easily. 

Then there’s the active community forum where you can interact, ask questions, and seek advice from fellow Cloudways users. It can be valuable for getting insights, tips, and best practices related to hosting WordPress websites on Cloudways.

There’s also a managed WordPress migration to help migrate your website seamlessly with minimal downtime. So you can just focus on your business and leave the technical aspects of migration in capable hands.

Pricing

And finally, you have to take pricing into the picture when considering any platform for your website. For what’s on offer with respect to the user interface, storage, performance, scalability, and security, the Cloudways Managed Cloud Hosting service is among the most affordable options available. 

Speaking of pricing and affordability, Cloudways offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model. That allows you to choose from various cloud providers (like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud) and customize your hosting plan according to your requirements. Instead of fixed plans, Cloudways gives you the freedom to only pay for the resources you actually use, providing cost efficiency and flexibility.

There’s a variety of hosting plans (both standard and premium), from $11 to $99, with different RAM sizes, processors, storage, bandwidth, and more. Plus, there’s a 3-day risk-free trial period and no lock-in (so you can cancel your plan anytime you want).

Pros & Cons of Cloudways Managed Cloud Hosting

Pros

• Excellent performance through an optimized server infrastructure, managed cloud servers, caching, and Cloudflare CDN.
• Effortless scalability through auto-scaling and vertical scaling options.
• Robust security through regular security patching, SSL certificate integration, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), and SafeUpdates.
• Flexibility to choose from a variety of cloud providers, like DigitalOcean, AWS, Google Cloud, and more.

Cons

• Slight learning curve for those new to managed cloud hosting.
• Tasks like server configuration and troubleshooting advanced issues may require technical expertise.
• Additional costs for different cloud providers.
• Limited access to server-level configuration settings.

With an intuitive UI, scalable infrastructure, impressive performance, robust security measures, and exceptional storage, Cloudways’ all-inclusive package caters to the diverse needs of website owners. So whether you are a start-up, small business, or an established corporation, Cloudways Managed Cloud Hosting would be more than suited to your needs. 

All in all, Managed Cloud Hosting from Cloudways is excellent for those trying to make their WordPress website better scalable with excellent performance, security, support, UI, storage, and more. 

Conclusion

Cloudways offers an optimized server infrastructure that ensures excellent performance and quicker load times. Its managed cloud servers take the hassle out of server management, allowing businesses to focus on their core objectives. The platform’s auto-scaling and vertical scaling features adeptly manage sudden traffic changes and resource needs, enhancing overall reliability. The powerful integration of advanced caching techniques with Cloudflare CDN further boosts website speed, ensuring an improved user experience.

In conclusion, Cloudways offers an impressive suite of features aimed at performance optimization and scalability. It caters to businesses of all sizes, delivering robust, reliable, and speedy digital services. Its ability to manage servers, handle traffic surges, and quicken content delivery makes it a standout in the market. Considering these factors, we highly recommend Cloudways to businesses seeking a dynamic, reliable, and high-performing cloud hosting solution.