Cloud technology has drastically transformed the internet by making on-demand applications faster and providing unparalleled support for file backups and restoration.
For example, a large number of individuals and businesses use Box for cloud backup because files can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Easy file access is critical for today’s remote teams.
Although there are obvious benefits to using the cloud, there are several lesser-known benefits that specifically apply in website design.
1. Cloud backups for clients
Web design clients want and expect to receive a backup copy of all files. Traditionally, backups have been provided on an external hard drive or a DVD. It’s nice to have a hard copy, but storing backups in the cloud bypasses the problems associated with hard copy backups.
The problem with hard copy backups
Whether you back up your clients’ files on a hard drive or burn the files to a DVD, a physical backup is subject to damage, loss, and failure.
If your client damages or misplaces their backup medium or the files become corrupt, they’ll expect you to replace their backup files. Depending on how much time has passed since you completed the project, you might not have their files anymore.
How cloud backups bypass hard copy problems
With cloud storage, you have an extra safety net. Technically, cloud backups are stored on a physical device, but with the right type of cloud storage account, you can run backups daily, weekly, or monthly. That means that your clients’ backup files will be backed up on a regular basis.
When you use a cloud account for client backups, you don’t need to buy DVDs or hard drives for each client. You don’t even have to buy the cloud account. In fact, you shouldn’t. Put all cloud backup accounts in your clients’ names and transfer the account to them when the project is complete.
2. Remote collaboration is easy in the cloud
Remote collaboration has been around for a while, but it hasn’t always been easy. When people worked on a project remotely, everyone had to wait for someone to send them an updated version of each file. Once that file was received, they could continue collaborating. However, that collaboration created a build-up of files on everyone’s computer and it was hard to keep track of the most recent file.
With cloud technology, remote teams can use applications like Google Docs to collaborate on documents in real-time. Cloud collaboration makes it simple: one file, one filename, and one URL to access each document.
3. On-demand resources available to all developers
Traditionally, business owners have been limited by their web server resources. If an online business owner wanted enough bandwidth and computing resources to manage a holiday rush, they had to buy all the provisions upfront. That meant footing the bill every month for resources they weren’t using.
Thanks to cloud technology, resources can be scaled up on demand. Now, online business owners have access to all the computing resources they need, when they need them, without the price tag from the past.
On-demand resources also make it possible to create applications that require additional computing power.
4. Fewer users making themselves vulnerable
Users have a habit of ignoring software updates and patches. When applications were installed entirely on a user’s machine, ignoring updates and patches created major vulnerabilities outside of the developer’s control.
Today’s cloud-based applications run almost entirely on the server side with a lightweight package running on a user’s device. Updates are installed automatically and the user never has to install patches. This puts the developer in control of securing their applications.
5. Cloud servers are cheaper in the long run
Traditional servers have a set price and have finite resources. You get access to one machine and you’re limited by that machine’s computing power. If you think you might need more power, even just during peak months, you have to buy a server with more resources. That’s expensive.
On the other hand, cloud servers are a connected network of multiple computers that are programmed to provide additional resources as needed. You’ll pay a flat fee for your basic cloud server and when you use additional resources, the extra cost will be added to your bill. You’ll save plenty of money in the long run with cloud computing.
Embrace the cloud
If you’re a developer and you have yet to embrace the cloud, now is the time. Cloud technology makes collaboration easier and provides a level of organization you can’t get with traditional server technology.
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