Hosting terms
What is cloud hosting? Where does your website actually live?
Key takeaway
Cloud hosting uses a provider’s computers and services to run a website. The files still live on real servers in real locations, and the setup still needs maintenance and backups. Lightning Web Hosting uses AWS servers, with CloudFront helping deliver public files to visitors.
In this guide
What does “in the cloud” mean?
Cloud hosting uses a provider’s computing services to run a website. The computers are in data centres rather than in your office. Your website still has files, services and a physical location behind it.
A hosting company can combine those services into the website package you buy. You do not necessarily need your own account with the underlying cloud provider.
Web hosting basics for your business
Sources: AWS explanation of cloud hosting (opens in a new tab)
What is AWS?
AWS means Amazon Web Services. It supplies cloud services for running software, storing files, delivering content and other tasks. Lightning uses AWS as the foundation for its hosting platform.
For your business, the important part is how those services are put together and maintained. Ask the hosting company what it includes, where information is held and who handles problems.
Does cloud hosting mean the website cannot go down?
A cloud provider offers tools for running a reliable service, but the particular setup still matters. One server and a system spread across several locations are different arrangements. Website software and outside services can also fail.
Check the actual monitoring, backup and recovery process rather than relying on the word “cloud”. If your business needs a specific availability commitment, discuss it before choosing a plan.
Where is Lightning’s cloud hosting?
Our hosting platform runs on AWS servers, with Amazon CloudFront delivering public content. We are locally owned, serve New Zealand businesses and charge in NZ dollars. Both plans include platform security and daily AWS website backups.
CloudFront is a CDN, which helps deliver eligible website files through a network of delivery locations. Tell us about any particular data-location requirement so we can confirm whether the setup suits it.
What is included?
Both our plans include AWS hosting, CloudFront CDN, SSL, platform security, daily AWS website backups, free domain registration and DNS. Lightning adds Arc’s everyday website updates, subject to fair use, with private previews and your approval.
We assess your website and agree its setup first. Hosting only starts billing when the website is live with us. You keep ownership of your website and supplied content.
Compare the plansWhat makes a secure web host?How CloudFront delivers public website files