Web hosting
What is a CDN, and is it included?
A simple explanation of content delivery networks and the CloudFront CDN included with Lightning hosting.
A shorter trip for website files
A content delivery network, or CDN, uses a network of delivery locations to bring website files closer to visitors. Static files such as images, fonts and scripts can be cached, so every visitor does not need to fetch the same file from the main hosting server.
CloudFront is included in both plans
Lightning uses Amazon CloudFront. It is included with Thunder at NZ$55 + GST per month and Lightning at NZ$99 + GST per month. CDN and platform security are part of the service, rather than optional security add-ons. All prices are plus GST. Agreed setup work is confirmed in your quote.
Your approved changes still go live
The first Lightning platform caches versioned public images, fonts and scripts. Live page content and private portal requests use a different cache policy so an old cached page does not stand in the way of an approved update. Private proofs require authorised access.
A CDN does not change where everything is stored
Our first main hosting platform is in AWS Sydney. A CDN adds delivery locations; it does not mean that every database or website file is stored in New Zealand. Tell us about any specific data-location requirement before setup.
Provider instructions checked 16 October 2026. Menus can change. Amazon CloudFront overview