Cloud Storage has become the go-to for storing our files as our files grow in size every day. Cloud Storage is a more secure, accessible, and convenient method of data storage. Cloud storage software has the capacity to sync data across numerous devices, which local storage does not. Many users commonly refer to cloud backup, online storage, file hosting, file storage, and other services that fall under the umbrella term (cloud storage). Whether you're looking to save a few files, an operating system, or whole collections of photos, images, or videos, this list of the most dependable and cost-effective cloud storage services has you covered.
However, if you don't keep track of your cloud storage prices, you can find yourself with a total storage fee that much exceeds your expectations. With that in mind, here's a list of recommended practices for cutting cloud storage expenses while maintaining storage dependability and performance.
Select the Appropriate Storage Service
If you do decide to store data in a cloud that provides a variety of storage options, be sure you select the most cost-effective option for your purposes. Object storage is typically the easiest and most cost-effective approach to store data on the cloud. However, based on what you plan to do with the data, an alternative storage solution may result in a lower total cost. Data that needs to be processed in a specific way, for example, maybe better saved in a database, where it may be formatted to reduce the time spent ingesting and analyzing it by your applications. You have minimal opportunity to shape data with object storage, which would make analysis more pricey.
Opt for a Low-Cost Cloud Storage Option
Choosing the lowest-cost storage platform from the start is probably the greatest method to reduce your total cost of cloud storage. In many circumstances, all providers offer reasonable storage services, however, cloud vendors who specialize in storage are likely to offer superior prices. The disadvantage is that other cloud storage providers might not have all of the capabilities you require. They usually solely offer object storage.
They normally don't provide block storage or a large database selection like a major cloud platform, and they don't provide additional cloud services like virtual machines that you might want to run in the same cloud where you store your data. If you only require object storage, look at smaller-name cloud providers' services and costs. These providers may or may not be able to provide the storage you require at a much-reduced cost, depending on your demands and use cases.
Use Storage Classes to Your Advantage
Object storage services come in a variety of types on several public cloud platforms. The most expensive storage class or tier is standard storage. By storing data in a lower-cost tier, you can save money. On-premises storage tiering solutions are very similar to this notion. The lower-cost storage alternatives typically offer lesser levels of performance as a compromise.
Data kept on these tiers is not immediately available; reading it can take anywhere from a few minutes to many hours. If you use the data frequently, you may have to pay additional fees. This may or may not be a useful strategy to cut your cloud storage costs, depending on what you're doing with your data. Low-cost tiers are ideal for archival data that you don't plan to access on a regular basis. Data that your applications need to read or write on a regular basis isn't one of them.
Implement Data Lifecycle Policies in the Cloud
What if your data must be stored in a conventional storage class at times but not at others? Data lifecycle policies have a role in this. You can build policies that periodically migrate data from one storage class to another on most major public clouds. These policies help you save money by ensuring that data is not kept in a higher-cost class for longer than necessary. If you have log data that you primarily need to keep accessible in case you need to refer to it for troubleshooting issues, for example, lifecycle policies are a wonderful way to save money on Cloud Storage. You can use a lifecycle policy to automatically shift logs to a lower-cost tier as they get older and less likely to be needed.
Use Caution When it comes to Data Reliability
Protecting data from temporary outages or permanent loss is usually a top issue for every company. It's possible that it's one of the reasons you moved your data to the cloud in the first place: You believe the cloud will outperform your on-premises infrastructure in terms of reliability. However, it's critical to strike a balance between data quality and cost. Most cloud services' default levels of availability are quite good. However, you may require even greater dependability.
You might opt to mirror your data across various cloud availability zones or regions in separate clouds in such instances. In the case of a cloud infrastructure failure, you'll have a better chance of keeping your data safe and accessible. However, it will significantly increase your storage costs. Whatever path you choose, make sure to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the investment is worthwhile.
Don't Save Any More Data Than You Must
Finally, you may reduce cloud storage expenses by ensuring that you only keep data in the cloud when it is really necessary. This should go without saying, but given how simple it is to upload data to the cloud and how difficult it is to maintain track of it once it's there, you may find yourself with bloated cloud environments full with data you no longer need or that should be relocated back on-premises.
To guard against such dangers, take the time to understand the topology of your cloud storage approach and know where your data is stored. To mark data and make it easier to find, you can utilize the tagging functionality integrated into most cloud storage platforms. For example, if you need to keep some data for a specific period of time for compliance reasons, you can mark it with tags and then delete it once the required retention term has passed.
Conclusion
Cloud storage can be quite affordable, but only if you use it wisely. To keep your cloud storage expenses as low as possible, make sure you use the correct cloud platform, storage services, and data management practices. Learn more on how to optimize your storage costs.