If you've searched for a Cloudways review, you've probably found dozens of articles comparing server specs, caching technology, and page speed benchmarks.
That's not this review.
I'm not a web developer. I'm a content creator who has spent the last 10 years building a media business through blogging, podcasting, YouTube, and affiliate marketing. My website, Marriage Kids and Money, has grown from a simple personal blog into a business that helps support my family.
Over the years, I've used three different hosting companies:
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- Cloudways
Each one served me well for a season, but eventually my business outgrew it.
When I switched to Cloudways in early 2024, I wasn't looking for the cheapest hosting or the most advanced hosting. I was looking for something much simpler:
- A website that loads quickly
- A website that stays online during traffic spikes
- A hosting provider I don't have to think about every week
More than two years later, Cloudways has delivered exactly that.
One reason I feel comfortable recommending Cloudways is that I became a customer long before I became an affiliate. In fact, I had been happily paying for Cloudways for more than two years before I even realized they had an affiliate program.
In this review, I'll share why I switched, what I like, what I don't like, who I think Cloudways is best for, and whether I think it's worth the monthly cost after using it to run a multi-six-figure content business.
If you're trying to decide whether Cloudways is the right hosting platform for your WordPress website, I hope my experience helps you make a confident decision.t hosting platform for your WordPress website, I hope my experience helps you make a confident decision.
My Recommendation
If your website has become an important part of your business, Cloudways is one of the best investments I've made.
What I Like
- Fast page load times
- Excellent reliability in my experience
- Handled media-driven traffic spikes without issues
- Recommended by my web developer
- Gives me peace of mind so I can focus on creating content instead of managing hosting
What I Don't Like
- More expensive than many traditional hosting providers
- Setup is easier if you have a developer helping you
- I haven't personally used Cloudways' entry-level plans, so I can't speak to that experience
My Take
I've been a paying Cloudways customer since early 2024, and it's been the most reliable hosting platform I've used in more than 10 years of blogging.
My website helps support my family's business, so speed and reliability matter far more to me than finding the lowest monthly price. Since switching to Cloudways, I haven't had to worry about crashes during media appearances or unexpected traffic spikes. That's given me the confidence to focus on creating content instead of managing my hosting.
If you're trying to decide whether Cloudways is worth it, my answer is simple: it's been worth every penny for my business.
My Website Hosting Journey
I've been blogging since 2016, and one thing I've learned is that your hosting needs change as your website grows.
Looking back, each hosting provider I chose was the right fit for that stage of my journey.
| Year | Hosting | Why I Switched |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bluehost | Started my first website |
| 2019 | SiteGround | Outgrew beginner hosting |
| 2024 | Cloudways | Needed speed & reliability |
Bluehost (2016–2019)
Like many new bloggers, I started with Bluehost.
At the time, it seemed like every YouTube tutorial on building a WordPress website recommended Bluehost. I followed creators like Pat Flynn and Scott Alan Turner, clicked their affiliate links, and had my first website online in just a few hours.
Bluehost was exactly what I needed.
It was affordable, beginner-friendly, and made launching my first website feel much less intimidating.
As my website began attracting more readers, though, I started noticing its limitations. During larger traffic spikes from media features and popular articles, my site became noticeably slower and occasionally crashed.
I don't look at that as a knock on Bluehost. My website had simply grown beyond what I originally needed.
SiteGround (2019–2024)
My next stop was SiteGround.
I'd heard good things from other bloggers who had growing websites, and overall, it was a solid upgrade. My site was more stable, and it served my business well for several years.
Eventually, though, page speed became more important to me. My library of articles kept growing, Google placed greater emphasis on website performance, and I wanted a faster experience for my readers.
Around that time, my web developer suggested I take a look at Cloudways.
Cloudways (2024–Present)
When I switched to Cloudways in early 2024, I wasn't looking for the cheapest hosting provider anymore.
My website had become an important part of my family's income.
I wanted a website that loaded quickly, stayed online during traffic spikes, and simply worked.
There was a little fine-tuning at the beginning to make sure I was on the right hosting plan for my traffic, but since then, Cloudways has been remarkably reliable.
That's honestly my favorite thing about it.
I rarely think about my hosting anymore and I consider that a huge compliment. It's the same way I feel about my payroll service Gusto. Not thinking about these tools while they work successfully in the background is a win in my book.
Why I Switched to Cloudways
By early 2024, my website wasn't just a blog anymore.
Marriage Kids and Money had become an important part of my family's income. My website generated affiliate revenue, introduced readers to my book, connected me with coaching clients, and served as the home for more than 10 years of articles and podcast episodes.
At that point, I wasn't looking for the cheapest hosting provider anymore.
I was looking for reliability.
My web developer recommended Cloudways because they believed it would provide better performance for a growing WordPress website. Since I trust them with the technical side of my business, I decided to make the switch.
The migration itself was straightforward because my developer handled the heavy lifting.
There was a little trial and error at the beginning. We initially experienced some downtime and realized I needed a larger hosting plan to handle the amount of traffic my website was receiving. After upgrading to a plan that better matched my site's needs, those issues disappeared.
Since then, Cloudways has been exactly what I was hoping for.
No major downtime.
No scrambling to figure out why my website isn't loading.
No worrying about whether my site can handle a spike in traffic after a media feature or YouTube video.
Instead, I get to focus on what I actually enjoy … creating content and serving my audience.
That's what good hosting should do.
That's exactly what I want from the company hosting one of my most valuable business assets.
Ready to upgrade your website hosting? Check out Cloudways here.
What I Like About Cloudways
It Gives Me Peace of Mind
This is my favorite thing about Cloudways.
I rarely think about my hosting anymore.
That might not sound exciting, but it's exactly what I want from a hosting provider.
I don't want to spend my time troubleshooting website crashes or wondering whether my site can handle a spike in traffic. I want to create content, serve my audience, and grow my business.
Cloudways has allowed me to do that.
It's Been Reliable During Traffic Spikes
Since switching to Cloudways, I've been fortunate to have my work featured by outlets like Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, CNBC, Fox 2 Detroit, and others.
Those media appearances brought additional visitors to my website.
More importantly, my website stayed online.
Before Cloudways, traffic spikes made me nervous.
Today, I don't really think about them.
My Website Feels Faster
I'm not a developer, so I'm not going to pretend I have benchmark tests or technical performance reports.
I can only tell you what I've experienced.
Compared to my previous hosting providers, my website feels noticeably faster.
Pages load quickly, articles open almost immediately, and the overall experience feels much smoother.
That's important because every second counts when someone discovers your website for the first time.
My Developer Recommended It
One lesson I've learned as a business owner is to hire people who are smarter than I am in areas outside my expertise.
Website hosting is one of those areas.
When my developer recommended Cloudways, I trusted their advice. More than two years later, I'm glad I did. Shoutout to Liz and Zack!
It Helps Me Focus on My Business
The best software often fades into the background.
Cloudways is one of those tools for me.
It quietly does its job while I focus on writing articles, recording podcasts, creating YouTube videos, and serving my audience.
That's exactly what I want from the company hosting one of my most valuable business assets.
What I Don't Like About Cloudways
No hosting provider is perfect, and Cloudways has a few drawbacks worth mentioning.
It's More Expensive Than Beginner Hosting
I currently pay around $123 per month for Cloudways.
When I started blogging in 2016, there is no way I would have spent that much on hosting. At the time, my website wasn't generating meaningful income, so keeping expenses low was the right decision.
Today, my perspective is different because my website is an important part of my business.
For me, paying more for speed and reliability has been well worth it.
You May Want a Developer to Help With Setup
I'm not a web developer.
When I switched to Cloudways, my developer handled the migration and initial setup. They also helped determine the right hosting plan after we experienced some growing pains during the first few months.
If you're comfortable managing WordPress hosting on your own, this may not be a concern.
If you're like me and would rather focus on creating content, having someone technical in your corner can make the transition much easier.
I Can't Speak to Every Cloudways Plan
Cloudways offers a variety of hosting plans, including lower-cost options than the one I currently use.
Because I joined Cloudways after my website was already established, I don't have firsthand experience with those entry-level plans.
This review reflects my experience running a well-established WordPress website that receives consistent traffic.
If you're launching your very first website, your experience may be different than mine.
Is Cloudways Worth It?
For me, the answer is yes.
When I started blogging, hosting was simply another expense.
I wanted something affordable that would help me get my first website online. Bluehost was a great fit for that stage of my journey.
Today, I think about hosting differently.
My website generates affiliate income, introduces readers to my book, connects me with coaching clients, and serves thousands of visitors each month.
In other words, my website is an important business asset.
That's why I no longer ask, “What's the cheapest hosting provider?”
Instead, I ask, “Which hosting provider gives me the confidence that my website will be fast, reliable, and available when people want to visit it?”
For me, Cloudways has answered that question.
At around $123 per month, it's certainly not the least expensive option.
But when I compare that monthly cost to the value my website creates for my business, I believe it's one of the best investments I make.
I haven't had to worry about website crashes during major media appearances. I haven't had to scramble because my site suddenly became unavailable.
Instead, I get to spend my time creating content, helping my audience, and growing my business.
That's well worth the monthly cost.
My Recommendation
If your website has become an important part of your business, I think Cloudways is well worth considering.
Who Should Use Cloudways?
After using Cloudways for more than two years, I don't think it's the right hosting provider for everyone.
Here's who I think will benefit the most.
Cloudways Is a Great Fit If…
Your website is an important part of your business.
Whether you earn money through affiliate marketing, digital products, coaching, advertising, or client work, your website needs to be available when people want to visit it.
You receive consistent website traffic.
As my audience grew, I realized I needed hosting that could comfortably handle more visitors without slowing down or crashing.
Cloudways has done that well in my experience.
You value reliability over finding the cheapest option.
There was a time when saving a few dollars each month was my top priority.
Today, I'd rather pay more for hosting that gives me confidence my website will perform when it matters most.
You'd rather spend your time creating content than managing your hosting.
This is probably my favorite benefit.
I don't spend much time thinking about Cloudways because it simply does its job.
That allows me to spend more time writing articles, recording videos, and serving my audience.
Cloudways Might Not Be the Best Fit If…
If you're launching your very first website, I can't honestly say whether Cloudways is the best place to start because that wasn't my experience.
When I launched Marriage Kids and Money in 2016, Bluehost was an excellent fit. It was affordable, beginner-friendly, and helped me learn how to build my first WordPress website.
Cloudways may very well be a great option for new website owners today. I simply haven't experienced that firsthand.
This review is based on using Cloudways after my website had already become an established business.
| Stage | My Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Launching your first website | Bluehost |
| 📈 Growing your traffic | SiteGround |
| 🚀 Running a business website | Cloudways |
Cloudways vs. SiteGround
Since I've personally used both hosting providers, this is a comparison based on my own experience. Keep in mind that my time with SiteGround ended in early 2024, so I can't speak to any improvements they've made since then.
| Feature | SiteGround | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| My Experience | 2019-2024 | 2024-Present |
| Best For | Growing websites | Established business websites |
| Speed | Good | Excellent |
| Reliability | Good | Excellent |
| Beginner Friendly | Easier | More advanced |
| Monthly Cost (What I Paid) | $120/month | $123/month |
Overall, I had a positive experience with SiteGround. It was a meaningful upgrade from Bluehost and served my business well for several years.
Eventually, though, I wanted faster performance and greater confidence that my website could handle traffic spikes without slowing down.
That's why I switched to Cloudways.
Looking back, I don't regret any of my hosting decisions.
Bluehost was the right choice when I was getting started.
SiteGround was the right choice as my website grew.
Cloudways has been the right choice now that my website has become an important part of my business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you used Cloudways?
I've been a paying Cloudways customer since early 2024. I became an affiliate much later, so my recommendation is based on more than two years of firsthand experience before joining their affiliate program.
Is Cloudways good for WordPress?
Based on my experience, yes.
Marriage Kids and Money is built on WordPress, and Cloudways has hosted my website reliably since 2024. My site has remained fast and stable through media appearances, affiliate launches, and day-to-day traffic.
Is Cloudways worth the money?
For my business, absolutely.
I currently pay around $123 per month, and I view that cost as an investment in keeping one of my most valuable business assets fast and reliable.
If you're just getting started with your first website, your answer may be different.
Do you need a developer to use Cloudways?
Not necessarily, but I found it helpful.
My web developer handled the migration and initial setup, allowing me to focus on running my business instead of learning the technical side of website hosting.
Why did you switch from SiteGround to Cloudways?
Overall, I had a good experience with SiteGround.
As my website continued to grow, I wanted faster performance and greater confidence that my hosting could handle increasing traffic. My developer recommended Cloudways, and after using it for more than two years, I'm happy I made the switch.
Would you choose Cloudways again?
Yes.
If I were running an established WordPress website today, I would choose Cloudways again without hesitation.
It's one of the few business tools I rarely think about because it consistently does its job well.
Final Verdict
After more than 10 years of blogging, one lesson has become clear to me:
The best hosting provider depends on where you are in your journey.
When I launched my first website, affordability mattered most.
As my audience grew, I needed better performance.
Today, my website is an important part of my family's business, so reliability is my top priority.
Cloudways has delivered exactly what I was looking for.
It has stayed fast, handled traffic spikes, and given me confidence that my website will be available when readers want to visit it.
If you're building a business around your website, I think Cloudways is well worth considering.
If you're launching your very first website, I'd encourage you to choose the hosting provider that best fits your current stage. As your website grows, your hosting needs will likely grow with it.
That's exactly how my journey unfolded, and Cloudways has been the right fit for this chapter.
If Cloudways sounds like the right fit for your business, you can learn more here.
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