Everyone in the IT industry talks about cloud hosting – what it is, how it differs from traditional IT and what problems it might introduce. Before you shift into a new technology, it is important that you ask the right questions first. Technology introduction is of course a sign of progress but its adoption is based on a number of factors that can be well-understood only with the clarification of certain unknown concepts in mind. Find out the five most common cloud hosting questions answered below.

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# Question 1: What is Cloud Hosting?

Cloud Hosting is a new way of delivering different types of computing concepts which involves large numbers of computers connected through the internet and combines many servers into a large computing pool through scalable virtual technologies and real power servers. It allows the users to create a server with the required specifications and delete it when it is no longer required, to acquire resources at any time and to upgrade the server or downgrade it. However, in order to run your applications in the cloud, cloud hosting also requires expertise in software development.

# Question 2: What is the assurance that my data is safe in the cloud?

In terms of security, the only server or computer that is secure is the one which is unplugged or shut down. With cloud hosting, you know that your data is safe because cloud hosting companies have strong workforce of professionals who regularly check and maintain the service. They are like experienced pilots who are well-trained and are always ready with contingency plans and backup systems in case of emergencies.

# Question 3: How does cloud hosting differ from traditional hosting?

The best way to differentiate cloud hosting from the traditional one is by nailing down the main types of services it offers. First it is important to check that its pricing service doesn’t lock customers up into expensive contracts only to meet their peak demands. Cloud service providers keep your costs down with their array of subscription options which depends on your desired preference. Secondly, it also offers self-service features where customers can get access to a command-line interface and a personalized dashboard, and can change resources as needed. Third is its transparent scalability. The cloud servers are fully automated and virtualized which means that it can either be scaled up or down without affecting the end user. Typically, traditional hosting offers none of these benefits which make cloud hosting better.

# Question 4: What are the disadvantages in shifting to cloud hosting?

There shouldn’t be any disadvantage in shifting to cloud hosting besides the fact that providers may go out of business. However, as a business owner, it is your responsibility to examine your cloud hosting provider (what is their reputation, who are their customers, how solid their operation is, etc.). The bottom line is ‘Be smart, be honest, be realistic and always be ready with a backup plan’.

# Question 5: In case of disasters, do I lose everything in… the cloud?

If there is one important reason to get you moving to the cloud, then this is it. Cloud providers are reliable enough to have your data backed up in multiple locations around the world when disaster strikes. Building your business in the cloud is a secure guarantee that you can still access your files without having the hurricanes, earthquakes and other forms of disasters interrupt your work.