Many companies move to the cloud because they believe it is cheaper. But after a few months, the monthly bill can be a surprise. I have seen startups paying more than they expected, simply because resources were not managed well.
The good news is that you can save money on cloud infrastructure without reducing performance. Here are some simple strategies that work for most businesses.
1. Right-size your servers
One common mistake is running servers that are too large. Many apps use only 20–30% of the server power, but the company still pays full price. By checking usage and choosing the right size, you can cut costs quickly.
2. Use auto-scaling
Traffic is not always the same. Some days are busy, some are quiet. Auto-scaling lets the system add more servers when traffic is high and remove them when it’s low. This way, you only pay for what you use.
3. Turn off unused resources
I often see test servers or old databases running for months with nobody using them. A simple review can save hundreds of dollars each month. Make it a habit to shut down what you don’t need.
4. Choose the right storage option
Not all data needs expensive storage. For example, backups or logs can be stored in cheaper storage classes. Many cloud providers offer “cold storage” for rarely accessed data.
5. Monitor and review regularly
Cloud costs change over time. What is cheap today may not be cheap tomorrow. Using monitoring tools helps you understand where the money goes. Regular reviews are important to keep costs under control.
Cloud is powerful, but it’s easy to overspend. By right-sizing, automating, and reviewing resources, businesses can save a lot of money while still getting the benefits of cloud technology. Even small changes in infrastructure management can have a big impact on the monthly bill.