As usual, there are pros and cons to everything on the web and that includes cloud hosting for business. We will go through some pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages that may help you decide whether cloud web hosting is right for your firm.

The "cloud" is an IT term for the Internet, and cloud computing, or cloud hosting, means storing and having access to your computer data and software on the Internet - on demand - rather than running it on your personal computer or office server. In fact, if you use programs such as Gmail or Google docs, you may not realize it, but you are already participating in cloud computing. Part of the confusion in the business decision process of IT is that the terminology is rather difficult in that it changes so often, particularly for non-tech-savvy types, including many small business owners. And it does represent a major shift in how businesses and individuals use and store digital information.

Advantages for business

There are many obvious advantages to cloud web hosting that are talked about on news mediums and on many business web sites. With cloud hosting, you have your web data and business computing programs running online, rather than separately on your office computers, and this means that you and your IT staff have access to them anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection available. Another advantage is the fixed-cost draw to cloud computing. We call this the dreaded cost- and hassle-saving factor. With cloud web hosting, the software that is provided online is upgraded and maintained by the provider, so the small business owner does not have to purchase the latest version of a software application or download upgrades and patches. Not having to buy a program outright but entering into a monthly or annual contract is very motivating, as is the appeal that many applications are offered for free. The fixed cost allows business owners to plan for the future, rather than be surprised when a costly software or hardware upgrade is needed. And for businesses that have updates to their web site(s) made hourly, even by-the-minute changes to their web site, cloud web hosting can offer a big advantage over self-hosting.