Before choosing any cloud provider, be sure to do your research and make sure it is the right fit for your business. The most important thing is to choose the right cloud provider in terms of reputation, their technical skill, and the price you are willing to pay. Your business’s security and privacy should be a top priority, so make sure you research the provider’s track record and that they have sufficient security measures in place to protect your data. Since security is of utmost importance, make sure the provider uses the encryption software and secures the data with a password of some sort.

Basic Things You Need To Know Before Choosing Cloud Service Provider

• Cloud providers usually charge based on the number of CPUs, RAM, Storage Capacity, and Network Bandwidth you would like to use.

• Flexibility is more important than the price.

•  If you don’t have a standard approach to choose a cloud provider. Comparing and then choosing the best one is the most efficient method. 

• If you are planning to work long-term with a single cloud provider, it is wise to choose one from the same country you are based in.  

• You are likely to be better served by a company that has been in business for several years and has a wider cloud portfolio. 

• It is advised to avoid cloud providers that are tied to larger companies, as you might be restricted by the rules of larger corporations. 

• If the cloud provider offers a discount for long term contracts, use it. It is the best way to save money on cloud providers’ services.

13 Key Factors to Consider when Choosing a Cloud Service Provider

Security 

The security of the cloud provider is very important. It should be able to maintain the security of the data in the cloud. The security of the cloud depends on the provider. Many factors can compromise security.  

Availability 

It is a bit difficult to check the availability of the cloud servers. But users can use the tool to check the availability of the instance on the cloud.  

Performance

Performance is not as easy to track as availability. The provider should be able to tell the user how the performance of the instances is. 

Cost 

The cost of the cloud is usually a major concern of the user. The cost of the cloud depends on the provider and the type of cloud. 

Ease of Use 

The user should be able to find the tools required to work on the cloud. The ease of use depends on the provider.

Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) 

It’s important to evaluate the Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) when choosing a cloud service provider. Many providers, such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, offer pricing calculators that can help you estimate your total costs based on the resources you need. Running cost comparisons can help you understand which provider is the best fit for your budget.

Compliance

It’s important to consider how well your chosen cloud provider complies with any relevant federal, state, and industry-specific standards. Depending on your business and the data you’re storing in the cloud, this could be a make-or-break factor in your decision.

Tools and features

When choosing a cloud service provider, it’s important to evaluate the range of features each one offers. Here’s a quick breakdown of the number of features each major provider offers:

• AWS: Over 200
• Azure: Over 600
• Google Cloud Platform: Over 100

Business Compatibility

To find the cloud service provider that is the best fit for your business, first list out your business and functional requirements. Then, map each cloud service provider against your requirements to see which one offers the best match.

Architecture

Compare cloud service providers based on how well they fit the current and future needs of the organization. This means looking at things like their flexibility to adopt a multi-cloud strategy or whether they’re able to support a microservices architecture.

Review Contracts, Commercials & SLA’s

When creating contracts, commercials, and SLAs, it’s important to carefully review all the details to ensure a smooth process. Make sure to review the exit criteria, migration mandates, and vendor lock-ins so that there are no surprises later on. By doing this due diligence upfront, you can avoid any potential headaches down the road.

Cloud Governance

When choosing a cloud service provider, it’s important to make sure they offer cloud security governance. This is a management model that helps monitor security in the cloud environment, and it can be a valuable tool for keeping your data safe.

Project Size

Depending on the size and scope of your project, you’ll need to find a cloud service provider that can best fit those demands. Different providers offer various levels of service, so it’s important that you do your research in advance and find one that’ll be the perfect match for what you need.

In conclusion, picking the right cloud service provider is a big deal. It needs careful thought about what your business really needs. These factors help align the provider's features with your business needs before choosing a cloud service provider. With careful approach through the factors, it lets businesses confidently choose a provider that not only meets current needs but also fits future goals. The outcome is a safe, secure, and adaptable cloud setup ready for lasting success.