Cloudways Free Trial 2024: Premium Hosting 3-Day Test Run

Are you tired of slow websites and complicated hosting setups?

Well, you’re in for a treat! Cloudways might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. This cloud hosting platform is making waves in the industry, and for good reason.

This is a reputed managed cloud hosting platform. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features that make it easy for businesses of all sizes to deploy, manage, and scale their web applications. But here’s the best part: Cloudways lets you try their platform before you buy! Pretty cool, right?

Choosing a hosting provider is a big decision. It’s like picking a home for your website. You want to make sure it’s comfortable, secure, and has all the features you need.

That’s why trying before you commit is so crucial.

It gives you a chance to see if Cloudways is the right fit for your needs.

In this guide, we’re going to dive deep into the Cloudways free trial. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from signing up to making the most of your trial period.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A clear explanation of what Cloudways is and why it’s awesome
• Step-by-step instructions on how to get your free trial
• Tips on maximizing your trial experience
• A breakdown of pricing and plans for when you’re ready to commit

So, buckle up and get ready to explore the world of Cloudways.

Trust us, by the end of this article, you’ll be itching to give their free trial a spin!

About Cloudways – What is Cloudways?

Cloudways is like your tech-savvy best friend who’s always there to help with your website. It’s a managed cloud hosting platform that takes the headache out of running a website or web application.

Think of it this way: Cloudways is the middleman between you and big cloud providers like Amazon Web Services or AWS or Google Cloud or GCS. They handle all the technical stuff, so you can focus on what you do best – running your business or creating awesome content for your website and your visitors.

Key Features and Benefits

Cloudways isn’t just another hosting company. It’s packed with features that make it stand out from the crowd. Let’s take a look at some of the goodies you get:

• Managed Hosting: Cloudways takes care of server management, security, and maintenance. It’s like having a personal IT team without the hefty price tag.
• High-Speed Performance: With SSD-based hosting, built-in caches, and a content delivery network, your website will load faster than you can say “Cloudways”.
• Easy Scaling: As your website grows, Cloudways grows with you. You can scale your resources up or down with just a few clicks.
• 24/7 Support: Got a problem at 3 AM? No worries! Cloudways’ support team is always ready to help.
• Free SSL Certificates: Keep your website secure with free SSL certificates, easily installed with a single click.
• Automatic Backups: Sleep easy knowing your website is backed up regularly. If anything goes wrong, you can restore your site in no time.

Supported Cloud Providers

One of the coolest things about Cloudways is that it works with several top-notch cloud providers.

You can choose from:

• DigitalOcean
• Vultr
• Linode
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Google Cloud Platform

This means you get the reliability and performance of these big players, with the ease-of-use of Cloudways.

Cloudways Free Trial Options

Now, let’s get to the juicy part – the free trial options. Cloudways offers not one, not two, but three different ways to try out their platform for free. Let’s break them down:

1. Default 3-Day Trial

This is the quickest and easiest way to dip your toes into the Cloudways pool. Here’s what you need to know:

• Duration: 3 days
• Credit Value: $50
• Credit Card Required: No

It’s perfect if you want to quickly test out Cloudways without any commitment. You can set up a server, deploy an application, and see how everything works.

2. GFT Special $30 Credit

If you’re looking for a bit more time to explore, this option might be for you:

• Duration: Until the credit ends
• Credit Value: $30 for all servers
• Credit Card Required: Yes

This gives you more flexibility to try out different server configurations and applications. The credit lasts until you use it up, so you can take your time exploring.

3. Promo $100 DigitalOcean Credit

For those who want to go all in, there’s this generous offer:

• Duration: Until the credit ends
• Credit Value: $100 (for DigitalOcean servers only)
• Credit Card Required: Yes

This is a great option if you’re pretty sure you want to use Cloudways and DigitalOcean for your hosting needs. It gives you plenty of credit to really put the platform through its paces.

Remember, with all these options, you’re getting full access to Cloudways’ features. It’s not a watered-down version – you get to experience the real deal.

How to Get Started with Cloudways Free Trial

Alright, you’re sold on giving Cloudways a try. Great choice! Let’s walk through how to get your free trial up and running. Don’t worry, it’s easier than assembling IKEA furniture.

Step-by-Step Guide for Signing Up

1. Visit the Cloudways Website: Head over to the Cloudways homepage and look for the “Start Free” button. It’s usually right at the top of the page.
2. Choose Your Trial Option: Remember those three options we talked about? Pick the one that suits you best.
3. Fill Out the Sign-Up Form: You’ll need to provide some basic info like your name and email address. If you’re going for one of the credit options, you’ll need to enter your payment details too.
4. Verify Your Email: Cloudways will send you a verification email. Click the link in that email to confirm your account.

Account Verification Process

Cloudways takes security seriously, so they have a two-step verification process.

Here’s how it works:

This might seem like a bit of a hassle, but it’s actually a good thing.

It helps keep the platform secure and prevents fraud.

Setting Up Your First Server and Application

Once your account is verified, you’re ready to set up your first server and deploy an application.

Here’s how:

1. Choose Your Cloud Provider: Pick from DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, AWS, or Google Cloud.
2. Select Server Size: Choose how much RAM, CPU, and storage you need. You can always scale up later.
3. Pick a Data Center: Choose a location close to your target audience for better performance.
4. Select Your Application: Cloudways supports various applications like WordPress, Magento, Laravel, and more.
5. Launch: Click the “Launch Now” button and watch the magic happen!

Within minutes, your server will be up and running, and your application will be deployed. It’s that easy!

Making the Most of Your Cloudways Free Trial

Now that you’re all set up, let’s talk about how to squeeze every drop of value out of your free trial. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Cloudways experience:

Exploring Key Features

Cloudways is packed with features, and your free trial is the perfect time to explore them.

Here are some you shouldn’t miss:

• Server Management: Check out the intuitive dashboard where you can monitor and manage your server.
• One-Click SSL Installation: Try installing a free SSL certificate. It’s as easy as clicking a button!
• Automated Backups: Set up automated backups and try restoring your site. It’s always good to know how this works before you need it.
• Staging Environment: If you’re using WordPress, create a staging site. This lets you test changes without affecting your live site.
• Team Collaboration: If you work with a team, try adding a team member to your account and see how easy it is to collaborate.

Testing Performance and Scalability

One of Cloudways’ biggest selling points is its performance and scalability.

Here’s how to put it to the test:

• Run Speed Tests: Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s speed. Compare it to your old hosting if possible.
• Try Scaling: Increase your server resources and see how easy it is. Then, check if your site’s performance improves.
• Test With Traffic: If possible, drive some traffic to your site. See how it handles under load.

Utilizing Customer Support

Cloudways offers 24/7 support, even during your free trial. Make sure to:

1. Try Live Chat: Have a question? Use the live chat feature and see how quickly you get a response.
2. Check the Knowledge Base: Explore Cloudways’ extensive documentation. It’s a great resource for self-help.
3. Join the Community: Check out the Cloudways community forum. It’s a great place to get tips.

Remember, the goal of your free trial is to see if Cloudways is the right fit for you. So don’t be shy – poke around, ask questions, and really get a feel for the platform.

Cloudways Pricing and Plans

After your free trial, if you’re loving Cloudways (and we bet you will), you’ll want to know about their pricing. Good news – Cloudways keeps things flexible and affordable.

Pay-as-You-Go Model

Cloudways uses a pay-as-you-go model. This means you only pay for what you use. No long-term contracts, no hidden fees. It’s like a buffet – but for hosting!

Here’s how it works:

• You’re billed hourly
• There’s a monthly cap, so you never pay more than the maximum monthly rate
• You can cancel anytime without penalties

This model is great because it allows you to scale up during busy periods and scale down when things are quieter, saving you money.

Available Plans for Different Cloud Providers

Cloudways offers plans across five cloud providers. Here’s a quick overview of the starting prices:

Remember, these are just the starting prices. The actual cost will depend on your specific needs and usage.

Each plan includes:

• 24/7 support
• Free SSL certificate
• Free migration
• Unlimited application installation
• Team management
• Dedicated firewalls
• 24/7 real-time monitoring

Upgrading or Downgrading Options

One of the best things about Cloudways is how easy it is to change your plan.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Upgrading: You can upgrade your server at any time. Just a few clicks, and you’ve got more resources.
• Downgrading: You can also downgrade if you find you don’t need as much power as you thought.
• Changing Providers: Want to switch from DigitalOcean to AWS? No problem. You can migrate between providers.

The flexibility Cloudways offers is hard to beat.

It grows with your business, ensuring you’re never paying for more than you need.

Pros and Cons of Cloudways

Like any platform, Cloudways has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break them down:

As you can see, Cloudways offers a lot of benefits, especially for those who want a balance of performance and ease of use. And, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. If you are someone who need extensive customization or are complete beginners to web hosting, it’s may not be the right fit.

Additional Benefits for Businesses

Cloudways isn’t just about hosting – it’s packed with features that can really benefit your business.

Let’s look at some of these extras:

Staging Environment

Imagine being able to test changes to your website without affecting your live site. That’s exactly what a staging environment lets you do. Here’s why it’s awesome:

• You can experiment with new designs or features risk-free
• It’s great for troubleshooting issues
• You can train new team members without worrying about mistakes

With Cloudways, setting up a staging environment is super easy.

A staging environment is like having a sandbox to play in, but for your website!

Free Migration Services

Moving your website to a new host can be scary. But with Cloudways, it’s a breeze. They offer free migration services to help you move your site. Here’s what you get:

• Expert assistance from their migration team
• Minimal downtime during the move
• Help with any issues that might come up during migration

This service can save you time, stress, and potential headaches.

It can be described as a professional moving company for your website!

Add-ons and Integrations

Cloudways plays well with others.

They offer a bunch of add-ons and integrations to supercharge your website:

• Cloudways CDN: This spreads your content across multiple servers worldwide.
• Rackspace Email: While Cloudways doesn’t offer email hosting, they’ve partnered with Rackspace to provide professional email services. You can opt for this if you wish.
• Cloudways DNS Made Easy: This premium DNS service can help improve your site’s speed and reliability.
• Application Add-ons: Depending on what you’re running (like WordPress or Magento), Cloudways offers specific add-ons to enhance functionality.

These add-ons and integrations can help you create a more powerful, efficient website.

Cloudways for Web Applications

Cloudways isn’t just for simple websites – it’s a powerhouse for web applications too. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a complex web app, or anything in between, Cloudways has got you covered.

Supported Applications

Cloudways supports a wide range of applications out of the box. Here are some of the popular ones:

1. WordPress: Perfect for blogs, business websites, and more.
2. WooCommerce: Ideal for online stores built on WordPress.
3. Magento: Great for larger e-commerce operations.
4. Laravel: For custom web applications.
5. Drupal: Excellent for content-heavy sites.
6. Joomla: Another popular content management system.
7. PHP: For custom PHP applications.

No matter what you’re building, chances are Cloudways can support it.

Ease of Deployment and Management

One of the best things about Cloudways is how easy it makes deploying and managing your applications.

Here’s why:

• One-Click Installation: Setting up most applications is as simple as clicking a button.
• Automated Updates: Cloudways can handle core updates for you, keeping your applications secure.
• Easy Cloning: Need to create a copy of your application? It’s just a few clicks away.
• Built-in Caching: Cloudways offers built-in caching solutions to keep your applications running smoothly.
• Team Collaboration: You can easily add team members and assign roles for collaborative projects.

Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a larger team, Cloudways makes it easy to get your web applications up and running, and keep them that way.

Special Promotions and Discounts

Everyone loves a good deal, right? Well, Cloudways has got you covered. They often run promotions and discounts that can help you save some serious cash.

Current Offers

As of 2024, Cloudways is offering a pretty sweet deal for new users:

• 30% off for 3 months on all plans

To take advantage of this offer, use the button below. It’s like getting a third of your hosting for free!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

If you’re willing to wait, Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be great times to sign up for Cloudways. In previous years, they’ve offered discounts of up to 40% off their hosting plans during these sales.

Here’s a tip: keep an eye on the Cloudways website as these dates approach.

They usually announce their deals a few days in advance, giving you time to prepare.

While these deals can save you money, the most important thing is choosing a hosting provider that meets your needs. Don’t let a good discount be the only factor in your decision!

Best Cloudways Alternatives

While Cloudways is great, it’s always good to know what else is out there.

Here are some popular alternatives and how they stack up:

Each of these alternatives has its strengths and weaknesses.

For example, if you’re solely focused on WordPress, Kinsta or WP Engine might be worth considering. If budget is your main concern, Hostinger could be a good option.

However, Cloudways stands out for its flexibility, performance, and balance of features. It’s particularly good for those who want the power of cloud hosting without the complexity.

Conclusion – Cloudways Free Trial

We’ve covered a lot of ground, haven’t we? Let’s wrap this up with some key takeaways:

Cloudways offers a robust, flexible cloud hosting solution that’s suitable for a wide range of users.

From the generous free trial options to the pay-as-you-go pricing model, it’s clear that Cloudways is committed to making cloud hosting accessible and affordable.

The platform shines in areas like performance, scalability, and ease of use.

Features like the staging environment, free migrations, and support for multiple applications make it a strong choice for businesses and developers alike. The best part? You can try it free.

While it may not be the cheapest option out there, the value Cloudways provides in terms of features, support, and flexibility is hard to beat. The free trial options give you a risk-free way to see if it’s the right fit for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Give Cloudways a try today!

FAQs about Cloudways Free Trial

How long is the Cloudways free trial?

The default Cloudways free trial lasts for 3 days.

However, they also offer options with $30 or $100 in credit that last until the credit is used up. This can potentially extend your trial period for several weeks or even months, depending on your usage.

Do I need a credit card for the Cloudways trial?

It depends on which trial option you choose. The default 3-day trial doesn’t require a credit card. However, if you opt for the $30 or $100 credit options, you’ll need to provide credit card details. Don’t worry though – you won’t be charged unless you decide to continue after your trial period.

What server options are available on Cloudways?

Cloudways gives you the flexibility to choose from five different cloud providers: DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode, Google Cloud, and AWS (Amazon Web Services). Each provider offers various server configurations, allowing you to select the one that best fits your needs in terms of performance, location, and budget.

How do I cancel my Cloudways account during the free trial?

Canceling your Cloudways account during the free trial is straightforward.

Just follow these steps:

Go to your Profile, select Account, then Classic Interface. Scroll to the bottom of the Account page, review the details, agree to the terms and conditions, and click on “Cancel My Account”.

If you’re on the 3-day trial, your account will automatically be canceled after the trial period if you don’t upgrade.

Can I use my domain during the Cloudways free trial?

Unfortunately, custom domains are not supported during the free trial period.

Cloudways will assign you a temporary domain for testing purposes. If you decide to continue with Cloudways after your trial, you’ll be able to use your own domain name.

Is customer support available during the Cloudways free trial?

Absolutely! Cloudways provides 24/7 customer support even during the free trial period. This includes access to their live chat support and extensive knowledge base.

It’s a great opportunity to test out their support quality before committing to a paid plan.

Is Cloudways suitable for beginners?

Cloudways is designed to be user-friendly, but it’s most suitable for users with some technical knowledge. While it simplifies many aspects of cloud hosting, complete beginners might face a slight learning curve. However, Cloudways offers extensive documentation and responsive customer support to help newcomers get up to speed quickly.

Can I migrate my existing website to Cloudways during the free trial?

Yes, you can! Cloudways offers a free migration service for your first website. While you can initiate this during your free trial, keep in mind that the migration process might take longer than the 3-day trial period. If you’re using one of the credit-based trial options, you’ll have more time to complete the migration and test your site on Cloudways.

What happens to my data if I don’t continue after the free trial?

If you decide not to continue with Cloudways after your free trial, your account and any associated data will be removed from their systems. It’s important to back up any critical data before your trial ends if you’re not planning to upgrade to a paid plan. Cloudways does offer a grace period, but it’s best not to rely on this.

Can I use Cloudways for e-commerce websites?

Absolutely! Cloudways is an excellent choice for e-commerce websites. It supports popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Magento out of the box. The platform’s emphasis on performance and scalability makes it well-suited for online stores that need to handle varying levels of traffic and transactions.