It’s the era of startups, and it’s astonishing to see how quickly the concept is growing worldwide. Some startup ideas have changed the world, inspiring young entrepreneurs to push on and do better.
In terms of technology, there is a noticeable trend of using cloud-based services for different business operations. Every startup team generally starts with an inexperienced group of individuals exploring new tech solutions. And given that cloud solutions offer immense convenience, they become an automatic choice for these young professionals.
For example, many businesses start with the G-Suite for documentation, storage, and spreadsheet operations.
But on the one hand, where cloud computing offers a lot of ease to startups, it has its drawbacks too. This post discusses some of the most critical aspects of cloud computing for startups, both good and bad.
How Do You Deploy a Cloud Computing Model
Before starting the discussion, remember that the pros and cons of cloud computing relate directly to the deployment models. There are three important cloud deployment models:
- Public Cloud – Service provided by a third party for broader access. Businesses and startups can use the cloud from a dedicated account. For instance, AWS, Google Cloud, MS Azure, and IBM Cloud are all public clouds.
- Private Cloud – Service dedicated to an organization. The cloud will be used by the organization and its authorized clients, customers, and employees.
- Hybrid Cloud – Uses a mix of both private and public cloud features. It allows the applications to move between the private and public domains of the cloud.
Top Benefits of Cloud Computing for Startups
Startups are businesses that are finding their feet in the market. So, it’s common for such entities to have a minimalistic approach. This is where cloud computing becomes so helpful to them. Therefore, the immediate benefits of cloud computing for startups include:
- Manageable Expense for Space and Infrastructure
With cloud solutions, you don’t need to acquire any hardware. It means no expenses on purchase, maintenance, and storage of hardware devices. In addition, no cooling mechanisms, no fear of theft, and instant access to your data over the internet make it highly convenient for entrepreneurs.
Therefore, it allows them to focus on essential tasks that help in the growth of the business.
- Cost of Support
Cloud providers offer instant support to their clients. It means that entrepreneurs don’t need to hire IT officers or supporting staff, which saves a considerable amount of cash for the startups.
Many cloud providers charge a subscription fee for technical support, while some of these services may even offer free technical support.
- Instant Connectivity and Access
Perhaps the most significant advantage after cost efficiency, cloud services provide easy access to data from anywhere. So, whether it’s your organization, your clients, or employees, anyone can connect to the cloud.
Therefore, it speeds up your business processes and reduces reliance on specific hardware systems for essential business operations.
The Bad Side of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing services have some drawbacks too. Here is a quick discussion:
- Unused Services Can Cost Extra
Cloud computing analogy is similar to house utility. You pay for what you use. But, if you leave any cloud services turned on without using them, you must pay the cost for it. The AWS cloud service is a classic example of increasing cloud service costs. That’s why cloud services often provide a dashboard to let the users turn off unneeded applications quickly.
- Public Clouds Don’t Offer Too Many Security Controls
Startups would prefer a public cloud because it’s often the cheapest option. However, public clouds don’t give you too many security control features.
In addition, it means that you won’t have total control over your data on the cloud. So, as you grow your business, it can become an increasingly challenging problem to face.
Conclusion
Cloud computing offers ease and convenience for startups due to its low-scale features and flexibility. With cost-saving options and room for scalability, cloud computing is the best way forward for startups, despite its drawbacks regarding privacy and costs.
