6 Tips for Choosing between Cloud Providers
Published: 2019-06-06 14:57:08

Public cloud computing services reduce headaches and increase flexibility for developers and IT teams. They let you outsource many IT concerns, such as file storage, website maintenance and data backup, to a third-party cloud provider. Cloud services can also dramatically cut upfront costs for smaller businesses or new projects, by reducing the need for an unpfront investment in hardware and in-house IT personnel. 

However, the array of choices between cloud services is huge, and it can be a real challenge to choose the right service for your project. In this article I’ll drill-down into what really matters and give you seven tips for choosing the best cloud provider for your needs. 

## 1. Clarify Your Requirements

A common mistake is to dive into researching cloud computing without a clear definition of what you need. Cloud services exist that meet many different needs and it’s important to be clear what you’re looking for before you look! 

For example, there are cloud-based [team collaboration tools](https://www.skyhighnetworks.com/cloud-security-blog/top-10-cloud-collaboration-tools/) such as G Suite, cloud file storage options like Dropbox or (Amazon Web Services) AWS, and cloud CRM software like Salesforce. These are all pretty basic use cases that I recommend you begin with unless you have the technical knowledge to consider other use cases. 

As your business grows, you may have to consider more advanced cloud computing services, to meet increasingly complex IT needs, such as virtual computing resources that can host applications in the cloud, including AWS and Microsoft Azure’s App Service. 

## 2. Opt for Pay-As-You-Go Pricing

One of the main draws of the cloud is that it reduces upfront IT costs, which can be a real burden on your resources when starting a project. Different cloud services have different pricing structures, however, I advise you to seek out only those services that provide pay-as-you-go pricing plans. 

Costs, of course, often depend on how much you use different cloud services, but a huge advantage of the cloud is that you can pay for precisely what you need and nothing more. Tread carefully with cloud providers that demand large upfront payments. 

## 3. Think About Cloud Backup

Cloud backup is something all cloud users need to think about. If you have on-premise servers and computer systems with lots of important data about your business, it’s imperative to have a backup option in the cloud in case disaster strikes and wipes all your business information. 

However, providing a secondary location for on-premise data isn’t the only way to use the cloud for backup purposes. I already mentioned using the cloud to store files and run apps on services like AWS. AWS services are not immune from disasters either, though, and there are third-party [AWS cloud backup services](https://n2ws.com/product/aws-backup) that are worth considering if you want to be extra prudent when using the cloud. 

## 4. Prioritize Information Security

If you decide to use the cloud to store sensitive company documents and data, it’s vital to prioritize information security when choosing a provider. Trusting a third-party with company files carries significant risk and it’s important to develop a relationship based on trust with any service provider. 

Look out for security certifications, data encryption, and watertight user authentication policies as minimum requirements. Additionally, depending on your industry, you may need to adhere to certain regulatory requirements that dictate what you do with customer data. Make sure your cloud provider guarantees compliance with any relevant laws in your industry.  

## 5. Pay Close Attention to SLAs

The [service level agreement (SLA)](https://www.wired.com/insights/2011/12/service-level-agreements-in-the-cloud-who-cares/) is an agreement between you, the customer, and a cloud provider that sets out the minimum level of service you can expect. When evaluating any cloud provider’s suitability, read through its SLA and look out for important aspects such as the security practices of the provider, what the provider can do in the event of data loss or outages, and the potential downtime. 

## 6. Look for Good Documentation

It’s a very good sign of an easy to use service if a company provides clear documentation on its website about using the service. Amazon Web Services, for example, has extensive guides explaining the architecture and use cases of their services and clear technical instructions.

You want to minimize headaches and get up-and-running as smoothly as possible in the cloud, and good documentation goes a long way towards getting you started. 

## Wrap Up

For small businesses setting up their first IT operation, and new projects in larger companies, aim to minimize capital expenditure on hardware and find pay-as-you-go services that give you the capabilities you need. Use the seven tips from this article to make better decisions about what services and which cloud provider to leverage in your next project.