The cost of Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosting is one of the largest barriers to entry into eCommerce, especially since hosting reliability and scalability are paramount to success. Cost of Amazon Web Services hosting can vary based on which model you choose, but first you understand which fits your business the best. No need to worry though, our guide delves deep into AWS’s pricing model and offers financing strategies tailored specifically to your eCommerce business.
Breaking Down the Cost of Amazon Web Services Hosting
AWS offers a pay-as-you-go approach, meaning you’ll only pay for the services you use. While this offers flexibility, it also requires an understanding of the different components that might affect your bill.
- EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): This is the backbone, providing resizable compute capacity. Pricing varies based on instance types, regions, and usage hours.
- S3 (Simple Storage Service): AWS’s storage solution is priced according to the amount of data your business stores and the number of requests you make.
- RDS (Relational Database Service): If your eCommerce platform needs a relational database, Amazon Web Services provides a variety of options. Pricing is influenced by database engine, storage, and the hours of usage.
- Data Transfer: Transferring data in and out of AWS can affect your bill. Usually, inbound data transfers are free, but outbound transfers incur an extra cost.
- Additional Services: AWS offers myriad other services like Lambda, CloudFront, and more. Depending on your eCommerce needs, these can help you operate and grow your business, but they will also come at an additional cost.
Calculating the Cost of Amazon Web Services Hosting
AWS provides tools to help estimate your expenses:
- AWS Pricing Calculator: Input your expected resources, and the calculator will provide an estimated monthly bill. However, keep in mind that this is not a guaranteed price, and there’s always a chance that your bill will come back larger due to greater use of resources.
- AWS Cost Explorer: For existing AWS users, this tool analyzes your past usage to help forecast future costs. This is very similar to a cash flow forecast that you might use in your business.
Ways to Save on AWS
Before diving into funding solutions to pay for the cost of Amazon Web Services hosting, it’s a good idea to explore ways to optimize your AWS costs:
- Reserved Instances: Commit to EC2 or RDS for a 1-3 year term and enjoy discounted rates.
- Spot Instances: Use spare EC2 capacity at a lower price. This is a great way to get short term EC2 capacity, however it’s important that your eCommerce business doesn’t come to rely on it. This type of EC2 usage can be terminated at any point if AWS needs the capacity back.
- S3 Object Lifecycle Policies: Automatically transition objects between storage classes or archive/expire them to assist in managing costs.
- AWS Free Tier: New AWS users can benefit from certain services free for the first 12 months.
Considerations When Determining AWS Costs
- Forecast Properly: Overestimating can tie up funds; underestimating can hinder operations. Use AWS tools and your business plan to make accurate projections. Additionally be realistic about how much you need so that the cost of Amazon Web Services Hosting can be accurately calculated.
- Review Regularly: AWS costs can fluctuate based on usage. Regularly review and adjust your needs to optimize your services compared with cost.
- Prioritize: While AWS offers an expansive suite of services, use only what is necessary for your eCommerce operations– taking on all the fancy tools early on can be expensive and unnecessary.
A Balanced Approach
Understanding Amazon web services hosting cost is pivotal to striking a balance between operational efficiency and cost management. While AWS provides a robust infrastructure tailor-made for scaling eCommerce platforms, it is crucial to navigate its pricing landscape from an informed, educated place. Remember, every dollar saved on hosting can be reinvested to grow and enhance your digital storefront.
