The cloud is commonly used to refer to several servers connected to the internet that can be leased as part of a software or application service. Cloud-based services can include web hosting, data hosting and sharing, and software or application use.
Shared hosting are servers with multiple websites on them that are are setup and maintained by web hosting companies. Websites hosted on the same server share the server's resources and this can affect the performance and security of these websites. Usually, there is no fair allocation of server's resources for websites hosted on the same server, hence if one website received a lot of traffic, other websites hosted on the same server will suffer. Shared hosting is meant for small businesses starting their online presence.
Cloud hosting is a service that exists on multiple servers, which pool resources together to host a large number of websites. It is characterized by more security, better performance and scalability but it is more expensive than shared web hosting. Cloud hosting services are meant for e-commerce websites and websites with high traffic.
A virtual private server (VPS) or virtual dedicated server (VDS) is a virtual machine sold as a service by an Internet hosting company. They are functionally equivalent to a dedicated physical server, but at a lower price. Being software-based, VPS/VDS are able to be much more easily created and configured. However, as they share the underlying physical hardware with other VPSes, performance may be lower than that of a dedicated physical server, depending on the workload of other virtual machines hosted on the same hardware.
Dedicated hosting is a website hosting environment that provides the highest level of resource allocation, privacy, and control. Dedicated servers are completely isolated from one another, so users get full access to configure their hardware server anyway they want without affecting another user or being affected by the actions of other users.
Managed hosting means that a service provider leases dedicated or cloud servers and associated hardware to a single customer and manages those systems on the customer's behalf.
Cloud servers basically are more cost effective than dedicated servers, however, cloud servers tend to lose this advantage as a business scales and requires more resources.
WordPress is the easiest web publishing and content management system (CMS) you can use to create a website or blog.
WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that adds e-commerce functionality to your WordPress website with just a few clicks and allows you to quickly have an online store.
General web hosting is typically a shared hosting service, in which multiple sites share space on a single physical server. Like general web hosting services, WordPress hosting often happens in a shared server environment, and plans are offered at a variety of levels and prices.
CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a platform of distributed servers that helps minimize delays in loading web page content by reducing the physical distance between the server and the user. This helps reduce the variances in loading times for websites with high quality content for users around the world.
CDN helps e-commerce websites deliver content quickly and efficiently even during peak traffic times. Content-heavy websites can deliver vital information to the audience much more quickly and efficiently by using a CDN.
Cloudways: Flexible data center options.
DigitalOcean: Offers larger packages.
Vultr: A better option for price to CPU power.
Linode: Known for high performance.
A2 Hosting: Best Overall for Cloud Hosting.
Kamatera: Best for Customization.
Bluehost: Best for business websites.
SiteGround: Best features.
Hostwinds: Best for Those on a Budget.
InMotion: Best Help & Support.
HostGator: Unmetered Storage.
DreamHost: Cheapest Cloud Hosting.
Hostinger: Best Control Panel.
Azure is a public cloud computing platform - with solutions including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) that can be used for services such as analytics, virtual computing, storage, networking, and much more.
Azure Stack can be used as a private cloud. Data collected on the private cloud can later be uploaded for processing in the Azure public cloud. With Azure Stack, customers can bring the cloud to the data, allowing users to run an Azure front-end that can access sensitive back-end data.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) — a popular virtual cloud hosting service offering 2 months free hosting for a low-end cloud instance.
Google Cloud offers a cloud-based hosting service with $300 in free credits for you to start hosting your website or web app or migrate an existing website to Google Cloud.
GearHost — they have an intuitive interface lets you quickly launch a free cloud instance.
Cloudways — for a low monthly cost, you get an excellent fully managed cloud service based on a cloud hosting provider of your choice (also comes with a 3-day free trial).
There are few free web hosting providers like 000WebHost, AwardSpace, InfinityFree, FreeHostingNoAds, and some of these may also offer a free sub-domain and cPanel. However, most of these are slow to load your website and they have different limitations on storage space, file size and/or CPU usage and they may also suspend your website at any moment if you exceeded any of these limitations or if they decided to go out of business.