Cloud hosting is a web hosting service that is derived from a group of servers that are all connected together to increase features. These connected servers are what are referred to as a 'cloud' or 'cluster' and they enable any users on those servers to utilize all the resources from all the servers on the cloud.

Features like processing speed, power, memory, and hard drives are all shared. These servers can be easily added or removed and the best part is for the users, is that if one server goes down an alternate server can be used. Because cloud hosting providers measure what are known as compute cycles, which is measure of time it takes to process something, this allows for users of the cloud hosting to actually be billed for the resources that they use and need as opposed to the traditional web hosting billing methods.

Besides being able to be billed for what they need, many users prefer using cloud hosting for different reasons, some of which include:

Scalability: This allows you to very easily add or subtract the resources you need without having to move to a different server. Such flexibility provides you with more control over your spending and also allows for you to adjust as you go along.

Uptime: Typically with cloud hosting you get a better uptime than you do with the traditional web hosting services and this leads to your site being down less and ultimately will help keep money in your pocket. Sometime though cloud hosting can experience downtime if there is a problem within the network of servers and the servers are having trouble communication with one another.

Traffic increases: Sometimes you see where a company that is profiled in the news has their website go down because their server couldn't handle the big spike in traffic volume. When you use cloud hosting this is not a problem as the added servers can simply absorb the traffic spike.

Technology integration: With cloud hosting different technologies can be used together that can't be used together with regular hosting. For instance, with cloud hosting it is possible to use .php and .asp files together and even in the same folder because it can draw the technologies needed from the cloud. This gives you better flexibility and the ability to use almost any type of technology you want to and know that it will mesh without a hitch.

No hardware installation: Since you are connected with a whole host of servers, instead of downloading hardware or software you can simply connect with a server that is in the cloud that has what you need.

Cloud hosting is relatively new and the track record is therefore anything but long. The biggest complaint with cloud hosting is that the lack of root means that there is going to be a lack of control. But still this type of technology is quickly gaining popularity and may just be the way that everyone in the future experiences web hosting.