Cloudways is managed cloud hosting that sits between shared hosting and a raw VPS. You pick your cloud provider (DigitalOcean, Vultr, AWS, or Google Cloud) and Cloudways handles the server management — updates, security patches, backups, and SSL certificates. I use it for most WordPress and WooCommerce client projects.
Cloudways is what I recommend for most WordPress and PHP projects. It sits between shared hosting and a raw VPS — you get dedicated cloud resources (DigitalOcean, Vultr, AWS, or Google Cloud) with a managed control panel that handles server updates, security patches, backups, and SSL certificates.
Why I use Cloudways
- Server-level caching — built-in Varnish, Memcached, and Redis. Most WordPress sites load in under 2 seconds without any caching plugin.
- Easy scaling — you can upgrade your server size in a few clicks without migrating anything. Start small, scale when traffic grows.
- Staging environments — one-click staging for every site. Test changes before pushing to production.
- Free SSL — automatic Let’s Encrypt SSL on every domain.
- Server cloning and migration — free migration plugin and the ability to clone entire servers for testing.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing — starts at $14/month for a 1GB DigitalOcean server. No annual contracts required.
What Cloudways is good for
- WordPress sites that need better performance than shared hosting
- WooCommerce stores handling 100+ orders per day
- Agencies managing multiple client sites on one account
- Developers who want SSH access and server control without managing the OS
What Cloudways is not ideal for
- Email hosting — Cloudways does not include email. You will need a separate email provider (Google Workspace, Zoho, or a dedicated SMTP service).
- Beginners who want cPanel — Cloudways has its own panel, which is simpler but different from cPanel. If you are used to cPanel and do not want to learn something new, this may not be the right fit.
- Static sites or simple landing pages — for those, a $5/month shared host or a free Vercel/Netlify deployment is enough.
Try Cloudways free for 3 days — no credit card required for the trial.
How I Choose Hosting for Client Projects
Not every project goes on Cloudways. Here is how I decide:
- WordPress or WooCommerce — Cloudways on DigitalOcean or Vultr. Best performance-to-cost ratio for PHP sites.
- Shopify — hosting is included in your Shopify plan. No separate hosting needed.
- Next.js or React apps — Vercel for frontend, with a VPS for the API layer if needed.
- Static marketing sites — Vercel, Netlify, or Cloudflare Pages. Free tier is usually enough.
- High-traffic or enterprise WordPress — Cloudways on AWS or Google Cloud, or a dedicated VPS with CloudPanel.
If you are not sure which hosting setup is right for your project, get in touch and I will recommend the right stack based on your traffic, budget, and technical requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Cloudways if I already have hosting?
Not necessarily. If your current host performs well and your site loads in under 3 seconds, there is no reason to switch. I recommend Cloudways when clients are on slow shared hosting and need a performance upgrade without the complexity of managing a raw server.
Can you migrate my site to Cloudways?
Yes. I handle migrations regularly. Cloudways also has a free migration plugin that makes the process straightforward. Typical migration takes 1-2 hours with zero downtime if done correctly.
Is Cloudways good for WooCommerce?
Yes. The built-in server caching (Varnish + Redis) handles WooCommerce well. For stores doing 500+ orders per day, I recommend the 4GB Vultr or DigitalOcean plan ($54/month). For smaller stores, the 2GB plan ($28/month) is usually enough.
Do you earn a commission from these links?
Yes. The links on this page are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you sign up through them. This does not affect the price you pay — it is the same whether you use my link or go directly. I only recommend services I actually use on client projects.