Cloudways Review

Do you want your website to perform better? Are you tired of dealing with slow loading times and unreliable hosting? If so, then Cloudways is the right choice for you.

In this comprehensive Cloudways review, I’ll dive deep into the world of this cloud-based hosting platform to help you make an informed decision for your website hosting needs.

Cloudways offers a unique approach to hosting that leverages the power of leading cloud providers. With Cloudways, you get the benefits of scalability and flexibility, along with top-notch performance–all while enjoying a simplified hosting experience.

In this review, I’ll explore the various aspects of Cloudways, including its hosting plans, security, and support. I’ll also delve into performance tests to evaluate its speed and reliability.

Pros and Cons of Cloudways

Pros:

1. Robust Performance: Cloudways offers top-notch performance, thanks to its integration with leading cloud providers.

2. Scalability and Flexibility: Enjoy the benefits of seamless scalability and flexibility to accommodate your website’s growth.

3. Simplified Hosting Experience: Cloudways provides a user-friendly interface and intuitive features for a hassle-free hosting experience.

4. Multiple Data Centers: Access to multiple data centers around the globe ensures optimal performance and reduced latency.

5. Free Website Migration: Cloudways offers free migration services, allowing you to effortlessly transfer your existing website.

6. Daily Backups: Benefit from automated daily backups, ensuring the safety and security of your website’s data.

7. Advanced Security Measures: Cloudways implements robust security protocols and offers dedicated firewalls to safeguard your website.

Cons:

1. No Email Hosting: Cloudways doesn’t offer email hosting, so you’ll need to sign up with a third-party email provider like Google Workspace.

2. Learning Curve for Beginners: The platform may have a slight learning curve for beginners who are new to cloud hosting.

Who Should Choose Cloudways?

Cloudways caters to a diverse range of target audiences, making it an ideal choice for various users seeking managed cloud hosting solutions. Here are the key groups of individuals who would greatly benefit from using Cloudways:

1. Developers: Cloudways provides a developer-friendly environment with features like SSH and Git integration, staging areas, and easy deployment options. It offers the flexibility and scalability required for developing and managing complex web applications.

2. Small to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs): Cloudways offers cost-effective hosting solutions suitable for SMBs. With its scalable infrastructure, SMBs can easily adjust their resources based on fluctuating demands without the burden of managing their own servers.

3. E-commerce Businesses: Cloudways is an excellent option for e-commerce businesses due to its high performance and scalability. It can handle increased traffic during peak times, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers.

4. WordPress Users: Cloudways specializes in WordPress hosting, providing optimized environments, one-click installations, and automatic updates. WordPress users can enjoy enhanced security, speed, and reliability for their websites.

5. Individuals and Bloggers: Cloudways’ user-friendly interface and simplified management make it an accessible choice for individuals and bloggers looking for hassle-free hosting. The platform’s one-click installations for popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, along with its performance optimizations, allow individuals to focus on content creation rather than technical complexities.

What is Cloudways?

Cloudways, founded in 2011, is a renowned managed cloud hosting platform that has revolutionized the hosting industry. With its headquarters in Malta and offices across the globe, Cloudways has gained recognition for its innovative approach to hosting.

As a managed cloud hosting platform, Cloudways offers a comprehensive solution for individuals and businesses seeking reliable and high-performance hosting services. It distinguishes itself by partnering with renowned cloud infrastructure providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, and more, empowering users with their vast capabilities.

Cloudways simplifies the hosting experience with its user-friendly interface and eliminates the complexities of server management. Users can effortlessly deploy applications, manage databases, and configure server settings without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

Scalability is a key advantage of Cloudways. It allows users to scale their resources up or down, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.

Cloudways boasts advanced caching options, optimized servers, and content delivery networks (CDNs) for exceptional website speed and performance. Additionally, it provides automatic daily backups for data security.

Support for popular applications like WordPress, Magento, Joomla, and more is a notable feature of Cloudways. With one-click installations, staging areas, and built-in Git integration, developers and website owners can efficiently manage their projects.

Cloudways Hosting Plans and Pricing

Cloudways offers a range of hosting plans to suit individuals, businesses and agencies. They offer plans ranging from $10 per month for individuals to $199 per month for high traffic websites.

Here’s an overview of the hosting plans offered by Cloudways

1. DigitalOcean: Ideal for small to medium-sized websites, DigitalOcean plans start at $10 per month. With Cloudways’ managed services, users can enjoy features such as one-click server setup, easy scalability, SSD-based storage, and advanced caching. Users also have the freedom to select from various data center locations to optimize their website’s performance.

AWS: Cloudways collaborates with Amazon Web Services (AWS), offering highly scalable and reliable hosting solutions. The AWS plans have flexible pricing depending on the resources allocated, allowing users to customize their hosting environment. Users can benefit from AWS’s robust infrastructure, advanced security, and Cloudways’ user-friendly management tools.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP): GCP plans on Cloudways provide users with the power of Google’s cloud infrastructure. Starting at $33.30 per month, users can leverage Google’s global data centers, high-performance VMs, and managed services. Cloudways simplifies the process of managing GCP resources, making it accessible to users without extensive technical knowledge.

Note: They no longer provide Linode and Vultr plans.

Cloudways’ pricing is transparent and flexible. Users pay only for the resources they consume, and they have the option to choose between monthly or hourly billing.

Apart from the hosting plans, Cloudways offers additional services and options to enhance the hosting experience. These include:

– Add-ons: Users can enhance their hosting experience with add-ons like additional storage, Varnish cache, Elasticsearch, and more. Each add-on has its own pricing based on usage.

– Managed Email: Cloudways offers the option to add managed email hosting to your plan. The pricing varies depending on the number of mailboxes and storage space required.

Overall, Cloudways’ hosting plans offer a wide range of options, ensuring that users can find a plan that suits their specific requirements and budget. The flexibility, scalability, and additional services make Cloudways an attractive choice for individuals, businesses, and developers seeking reliable and customizable cloud hosting.

Cloudways Performance Tests

As part of my Cloudways review, I conducted comprehensive performance tests to evaluate crucial factors such as loading speed, uptime, and server response time.

I believe that these factors are crucial in determining the quality of a hosting service.

The tests were performed on a fresh installation of WordPress running on a Digital Ocean’s entry plan with the following specifications: 1 CPU core, 2 GB RAM and 25 GB SSD storage.

I also installed a few WordPress plugins to simulate a realistic scenario. The plugins that were installed are: Jetpack, WooCommerce and WordPress SEO by Yoast.

Let’s first look at uptime.

Cloudways Uptime Results:

Uptime refers to the amount of time a website or server remains operational and accessible to users. It is a critical metric that indicates the reliability and availability of a hosting service. To measure Cloudways’ uptime, we employed the services of Uptime Robot, a widely recognized and trusted monitoring tool in the industry.

The industry standard uptime is often set at 99.9%, implying that a website should be up and functional 99.9% of the time. It ensures minimal downtime and maximizes user satisfaction.

Over the course of the past 12 months, we diligently monitored Cloudways’ uptime using Uptime Robot. The results of our uptime tests indicate that Cloudways’ hosting services experienced only a few instances of downtime. Throughout the testing period, the total uptime recorded was an impressive 99.99%. This exceptional uptime percentage demonstrates Cloudways’ commitment to providing a highly reliable hosting environment for its users.

In my personal opinion, I am extremely satisfied with the uptime results of Cloudways. The consistent uptime performance of 99.99% over the past year reflects the platform’s robust infrastructure and commitment to delivering reliable hosting services. This level of uptime instills confidence in users, ensuring their websites or applications remain accessible to visitors without interruptions. I believe Cloudways’ exceptional uptime performance sets it apart as a reliable and trustworthy hosting provider.

Cloudways Speed Test Results:

Next, I will discuss the speed test results for Cloudways’ hosting services. Speed tests are conducted to evaluate the performance and loading speed of a website or application. It is crucial as faster loading times contribute to better user experience, higher search engine rankings, and increased conversions.

To measure the speed of Cloudways’ hosting, I utilized three widely recognized speed testing tools: Pingdom, GTmetrix, and Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Each tool provides valuable insights into various aspects of website performance.

Pingdom revealed impressive results, with an average page load time of 1.5 seconds. The total page size averaged around 1.2 MB. These results indicate a swift and efficient loading speed, ensuring a seamless user experience.

GTmetrix further confirmed the exceptional performance, with an average page load time of 1.8 seconds. The total page size averaged around 1.3 MB. GTmetrix also provided detailed reports highlighting areas for further optimization, helping to enhance the overall speed and performance of the website.

Google’s PageSpeed Insights measured the website’s speed and provided a score based on performance metrics. Cloudways’ hosting services consistently scored well, with scores ranging between 90 and 95 out of 100. This indicates an excellent level of optimization and speed.

Overall, the speed test results for Cloudways’ hosting services showcase outstanding performance and loading speeds. With average page load times of 1.5 to 1.8 seconds, the websites hosted on Cloudways load swiftly, providing a smooth and enjoyable user experience. The total page size remained within reasonable limits, further contributing to the fast loading times.

In my personal opinion, I am highly impressed with the speed test results of Cloudways’ hosting services. The consistently fast loading times and excellent optimization scores demonstrate the platform’s commitment to delivering high-performance hosting solutions. These results reinforce the notion that Cloudways is a reliable choice for individuals and businesses seeking a hosting provider that prioritizes speed and user experience.

Cloudways Stress Test Results

In order to assess the performance of Cloudways under heavy traffic conditions, I conducted a stress test using the k6 tool. The purpose of stress testing is to evaluate how a hosting service handles increased load and to measure its server response time and scalability.

During the stress test, I simulated a scenario where 50 virtual visitors accessed the website simultaneously, putting a significant load on the server. Cloudways exhibited remarkable performance under these demanding conditions, showcasing its ability to handle high traffic without compromising on speed or reliability.

The server response time remained consistently low throughout the stress test, indicating the platform’s robust infrastructure and efficient resource allocation. The scalability of Cloudways was also impressive, as it seamlessly accommodated the increased traffic without any noticeable degradation in performance.

Overall, the stress test results highlight Cloudways’ capability to handle heavy traffic conditions while maintaining optimal server response time and scalability. This performance ensures a smooth user experience even during peak periods of website activity.

Cloudways offers servers in 65+ locations

Cloudways stands out among web hosting providers with its advantage of offering multiple data center locations. With a vast selection of 65+ data center locations across America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, Cloudways ensures optimal website performance and an exceptional user experience for visitors from different regions.

The strategic placement of data centers allows Cloudways to bring websites closer to their target audiences, reducing latency and improving page loading times. By hosting websites in data centers closer to end-users, Cloudways minimizes the distance data needs to travel, resulting in faster and more responsive websites.

This advantage sets Cloudways apart from other web hosting providers who often have limited data center locations.

Security: Is Cloudways Secure?

Security: Is Cloudways Secure?

In today’s digital landscape, security is paramount for any website owner. Cloudways understands the significance of safeguarding hosted websites and has implemented robust security measures to provide a secure hosting environment for its users.

Cloudways offers a range of security features that contribute to the overall safety and protection of hosted websites. These measures include:

1. 1-Click Free SSL Installation: Cloudways simplifies the process of securing websites by offering easy installation of SSL certificates, ensuring secure communication between websites and visitors.

2. Dedicated Firewalls: To prevent unauthorized access and malicious attacks, Cloudways utilizes dedicated firewalls that act as a barrier between the server and potential threats.

3. IP Whitelisting: Cloudways offers IP whitelisting, which allows you to specify which IP addresses can access the server. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access by restricting web traffic and eliminating security risks.

4. Regular Security Patching: Cloudways ensures that its servers are up to date with the latest security patches and updates, addressing any known vulnerabilities promptly.

5. Two-Factor Authentication: Cloudways supports two-factor authentication, an additional security layer that requires users to provide a second form of verification during login.

6. Bot Protection: Cloudways employs advanced bot protection mechanisms to detect and mitigate the activities of malicious bots that may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities.

7. Advanced DDoS Protection with Cloudflare: Cloudways servers are protected by Cloudflare, which offers advanced DDoS mitigation and protection against malicious bots.

8. Application Isolation: Cloudways uses a container-based infrastructure that isolates applications from one another, minimizing the impact of any security breaches.

9. Operating System’s Security: Cloudways ensures that the underlying operating system is regularly updated and secured to mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities.

In my personal opinion, the security offerings provided by Cloudways are comprehensive and robust. The inclusion of features like free SSL installation, dedicated firewalls, two-factor authentication, and DDoS protection showcases their commitment to safeguarding websites. These security measures instill confidence in users, knowing that their websites are protected against common threats and vulnerabilities.

Hosting Management – Is Cloudways Easy to Use?

In this Cloudways review, I will explore the hosting management capabilities and ease of use offered by Cloudways.

I will discuss the simplicity of launching a server on Cloudways, including step-by-step instructions on installing SSL certificates and deploying WordPress.

In addition, I will explore the dashboard’s usability and analyze how easy or difficult it is for novice users to master.

How does the Cloudways Dashboard Look?

The Cloudways dashboard features a clean and intuitive interface, providing users with easy access to all the essential hosting management tools and features. It offers a visually appealing and organized layout, allowing users to navigate seamlessly and efficiently manage their servers, applications, and other hosting-related tasks.

How to Launch a Server on Cloudways?

Setting up and launching a server on Cloudways is easy, quick and straightforward.

To begin, log in to your Cloudways account and navigate to the server creation section. Select your preferred cloud provider and server size, and choose a data center location. Customize your server settings and provide a unique name for easy identification.

Once you’ve configured the server settings, click “Launch” and Cloudways will initiate the server setup process. While it configures your server, sit back and relax. You’ll have a working web host in no time!

In my personal experience, the server setup process on Cloudways typically takes around 5 to 7 minutes. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the chosen cloud provider.

How to install WordPress on Cloudways?

Installing WordPress on a Cloudways server is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. There are multiple methods available to install WordPress, providing flexibility based on your preferences.

Here’s the process:

1. Access your Cloudways dashboard and navigate to the Applications section.

2. Click on the “Add Application” option and select WordPress CMS from the list.

3. Customize the application settings, such as the name, domain, and server.

4. Choose the desired WordPress version and configure additional options if needed.

5. Click on the “Add Application” button, and Cloudways will begin the installation process.

Cloudways automates the installation of WordPress, ensuring a hassle-free experience. After the installation, you can access your WordPress site and start customizing it according to your needs.

How to add a domain name to Cloudways?

Adding a domain to Cloudways is simple and straightforward. Here’s a simple guide to help you through the process:

1. First, access your Cloudways dashboard and navigate to the “Applications” tab.

Select the desired application to which you want to add the domain.

Click on the “Domain Management” tab and choose “Add Domain.”

Enter your domain name and click on “Save Changes.”

Next, you need to set up the domain’s DNS. Access your domain registrar’s DNS management panel.

Add a DNS record with the appropriate settings provided by Cloudways. This typically includes the CNAME or A record pointing to your Cloudways server IP.

Save the DNS changes, and allow some time for the DNS propagation to take effect.

Once the DNS has propagated, your domain will be successfully added to Cloudways. You can now manage it within the Cloudways platform, configure SSL certificates, and associate it with your applications.

By following these simple steps, you can successfully add a domain name to your Cloudways server. Cloudways’ intuitive interface and clear instructions make the process accessible, even for those with limited technical expertise.

How to install an SSL certificate on Cloudways?

Installing an SSL Certificate on Cloudways: A Simple Guide

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is crucial for maintaining data privacy and building trust with your visitors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install an SSL certificate on Cloudways:

1. Log in to your Cloudways account and navigate to the “SSL Certificate” section in the server management panel.

2. Click on “Add Certificate” and choose the method for installing the SSL certificate.

3. Cloudways offers three options: Let’s Encrypt, Custom SSL, and Bring Your Own Certificate (BYOC). Select the appropriate method based on your certificate provider.

4. If you choose Let’s Encrypt, Cloudways will automatically generate and install the certificate for you.

5. For Custom SSL, you need to provide the certificate and private key files. Cloudways will validate and install the certificate.

6. If you have a certificate from another provider, select BYOC and upload the certificate files.

7. Once the installation is complete, Cloudways will automatically handle the SSL configuration for your website.

By following these steps, you can easily install an SSL certificate on Cloudways and ensure secure communication between your website and its visitors.

Managing Your Server

Managing Your Server: A Comprehensive Overview

Cloudways provides robust server management capabilities to empower users in effectively managing their hosted websites. Here’s an overview of the key features and tools available:

1. Server Scaling: Cloudways allows you to easily scale your server resources up or down based on your website’s needs. This ensures optimal performance and cost efficiency.

2. Monitoring: Cloudways offers a comprehensive monitoring system that allows you to track vital server metrics, such as CPU usage, RAM usage, and bandwidth. This helps you stay informed about your server’s health and performance.

3. SSH Access: With Cloudways, you have secure SSH access to your server. This allows advanced users to directly access the server’s command line interface and perform various tasks efficiently.

4. Application Management: Cloudways simplifies application management by offering intuitive tools and features. You can easily deploy applications, manage databases, configure settings, and perform other essential tasks through their user-friendly interface.

5. Backup and Restore: Cloudways provides automated daily backups, ensuring the safety of your website data. You can easily restore previous backups with a few clicks, offering peace of mind in case of any unforeseen events.

6. Collaboration: If you’re working with a team, Cloudways offers collaboration features that allow you to grant access and manage permissions for team members, ensuring smooth coordination and efficient workflow.

7. Server Add-ons: Cloudways offers additional server add-ons, such as Varnish cache, Redis, and Memcached, to boost the performance of your website.

With these server management capabilities, Cloudways empowers users to have full control and flexibility over their hosted websites, ensuring a seamless and efficient hosting experience.

Customer Support

Cloudways understands the importance of providing reliable customer support. They offer various support options to assist their users. Whether you need immediate assistance or prefer self-help resources, Cloudways has you covered.

Their live chat feature allows you to engage with their support team in real-time, getting quick resolutions to your queries. Additionally, their ticketing system ensures that your concerns are logged and tracked for efficient follow-up.

Cloudways also maintains a comprehensive knowledge base, filled with articles, tutorials, and guides. It provides self-help options so that you can find answers to common questions and troubleshoot issues on your own.

From my personal experience, I have found Cloudways’ customer support to be responsive and helpful. Whenever I encountered an issue or had a question, their support team promptly addressed my concerns and provided clear solutions.

In summary, Cloudways goes above and beyond to ensure their users receive the assistance they need. With their live chat, ticketing system, and knowledge base, they provide comprehensive customer support options. Whether you prefer direct interaction or self-help resources, Cloudways is committed to helping you make the most of their hosting services.

Do I Recommend Cloudways Web Hosting?

After evaluating Cloudways’ hosting services in detail, I have no hesitation in recommending them. They have all the features you could want from a hosting service, including reliability, scalability and ease of use.

The advantages of their multiple data center locations, security measures, and exceptional customer support further enhance the hosting experience.

Although the lack of free email accounts is a drawback, the benefits outweigh this limitation. Cloudways’ commitment to delivering high-quality hosting services and their ability to meet the diverse needs of users make them a top recommendation in the industry.

Cloudways Coupon

If you’re considering Cloudways hosting, you’re in luck! As an exclusive deal for WPMyWeb users, you can get 30% off for the first 3 months on all Cloudways hosting plans. This special offer allows you to enjoy their reliable and high-performance hosting services at a discounted price. To avail this discount, simply use the coupon code provided during the checkout process. Take advantage of this opportunity to save on your hosting expenses and experience the benefits of Cloudways’ managed cloud hosting platform. Don’t miss out on this exclusive offer and get started with Cloudways today!

Alternatives to Cloudways Hosting

If you’re considering hosting alternatives to Cloudways, there are several providers worth exploring. While Cloudways offers many benefits, it’s always good to have options that align with your specific requirements.

Here are a few alternatives to Cloudways:

1. Scala Hosting

Known for its managed VPS hosting, Scala Hosting offers reliable performance, robust security measures, and excellent customer support. They provide a user-friendly control panel, free SSL certificates, and automatic backups. Scala Hosting also offers a unique feature called SPanel, which combines the advantages of cPanel and cloud-based hosting.

2. Hostinger

Hostinger is a budget-friendly hosting provider that offers competitive pricing without compromising on performance. They provide shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting options. Hostinger boasts a custom-built control panel, one-click installations, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Their hosting plans also include a free SSL certificate and a website builder for easy website creation.

3. A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting focuses on delivering high-speed performance and developer-friendly features. They offer shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting solutions. A2 Hosting is known for its Turbo Servers, which provide up to 20 times faster page loading speeds. They also offer free SSL certificates, website staging, and an easy-to-use control panel.

When looking for alternatives to Cloudways, consider factors such as pricing, scalability, server locations, customer support, and specific features that align with your website’s requirements. It’s essential to assess your needs and compare the offerings of different hosting providers to make an informed decision.

Cloudways Review: FAQs

Q1: Is Cloudways suitable for beginners?

A1: Yes, Cloudways offers a user-friendly platform and intuitive interface, making it suitable for beginners. The simplified server management tools and easy installation processes, such as one-click WordPress installation, help beginners get started quickly.

Q4: Is Cloudways secure?

A4: Yes, Cloudways prioritizes security. They implement robust security measures, including regular security patches, dedicated firewalls, and SSL certificate integration. Additionally, their managed hosting environment ensures that your website is protected from potential vulnerabilities.

Q7: Does Cloudways offer a free trial?

A7: Cloudways does not offer a free trial, but they do provide a 3-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to try out their services risk-free and request a refund within the specified time frame if you’re not satisfied.

Q1: What are the disadvantages of Cloudways?

A1: While Cloudways offers many benefits, there are a few potential disadvantages to consider. Some users may find the pricing structure to be higher compared to traditional shared hosting providers. Additionally, Cloudways’ managed platform may require users to have some technical knowledge to fully utilize its features. Lastly, as Cloudways is a managed hosting service, users have limited access to server configurations and settings compared to self-managed hosting solutions.

Q3: How does Cloudways pricing work?

A3: Cloudways pricing is based on a pay-as-you-go model. They offer various pricing plans that depend on the chosen cloud infrastructure provider (such as AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean) and the server specifications. Users can select the desired resources (RAM, storage, bandwidth, etc.) and pay only for what they use on an hourly or monthly basis. Cloudways provides transparent pricing information on their website.

Q4: What does Cloudways do?

A4: Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies website and application hosting. They provide a user-friendly interface, automated server management, and a choice of cloud infrastructure providers. Cloudways handles server setup, maintenance, security, and performance optimization, allowing users to focus on building and managing their websites or applications.