Cloud & hosting
Part of the Information Technology sector
Cloud and hosting providers deliver the servers, storage and managed infrastructure that keep applications and websites running. This hub explains the main service types and how to find and compare verified providers on Digibition.
Looking to source in this sector, or want your company to appear here? Browse the directory or list your company.
Overview
Cloud and hosting covers the infrastructure that applications, websites and data run on — from shared and dedicated web hosting to virtual servers, public and private cloud, and fully managed platforms. Providers range from general hosting companies to specialists in a region, platform or workload.
Services are usually described as infrastructure (raw servers and storage), platform (a managed environment to run applications on) or fully managed hosting where the provider also operates and monitors the systems. Buyers include companies moving off their own hardware, teams that need capacity that can scale, and organisations with specific requirements around location, uptime or compliance.
On Digibition, cloud and hosting providers publish verified profiles describing their services, data-centre locations and focus areas, so buyers can discover and compare them by specialization and country.
What to check when sourcing
When you choose a cloud or hosting provider, the fundamentals are reliability, data location and the service level you are promised. Confirm the uptime commitment and what happens if it is missed, where your data is physically stored, and how backups, recovery and migration are handled.
Beyond the infrastructure, weigh the operating model: how much the provider manages versus what your team does, what support is available and how quickly, and how pricing scales as your usage grows. Clarify data ownership and portability so you are not locked in, and for sensitive or regulated workloads ask about security practices and any relevant certifications, such as ISO 27001, as an example of the kind of assurance to look for.
Use the directory to shortlist providers by specialization and country, then contact several and compare their service levels and terms before you commit.
What to check when choosing a cloud or hosting provider
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Reliability & SLA | A stated uptime commitment and what applies if it is missed |
| Data location | Where your data is physically stored and under which jurisdiction |
| Backups & recovery | Backup frequency, retention and tested recovery procedures |
| Managed vs self-service | How much the provider operates versus your own team |
| Security & compliance | Security practices and relevant certifications for your use |
| Pricing & portability | How costs scale, plus data ownership and ease of migration |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between hosting and cloud?
- Traditional hosting usually means a defined server or plan allocated to you, often in one location. Cloud infrastructure pools resources so capacity can scale up or down on demand and may span multiple locations. Many providers offer both, and the right choice depends on your workload and how it grows.
- What do infrastructure, platform and managed hosting mean?
- Infrastructure means raw servers and storage you configure yourself. A platform is a managed environment to run applications on, with much of the operating work handled for you. Fully managed hosting goes further, with the provider operating and monitoring the systems on your behalf.
- How do I find cloud and hosting providers?
- Use the Digibition directory to filter by this specialization and by country, then open each company profile to review its services, data-centre locations and focus areas. You can message providers directly, or add several to a quote list and request quotes from all of them at once.
- Where is my data stored and who owns it?
- Data location and ownership depend on the provider and your contract, so confirm both in writing. Ask which data centres hold your data, which jurisdiction applies, and that the data remains yours and portable if you leave. This is general information, not legal, technical, or professional advice.
- What should I check before committing to a provider?
- Confirm the uptime commitment and support arrangements, backup and recovery procedures, data location and portability, and how pricing scales with usage. For sensitive workloads, review security practices and relevant certifications. Where possible, run a small trial workload before migrating in full.
Looking to source in this sector, or want your company to appear here? Browse the directory or list your company.
Important notice
This page is general industry information published by Digibition for educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, tax, customs, regulatory, or other professional advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. Standards, certifications, duties, taxes, and regulatory requirements differ between countries and markets and change over time; nothing here is guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current. Verify any requirement independently with a qualified adviser and the relevant competent authority before you act. Digibition is an online company directory and digital-fair platform; it is not a party to any transaction between users and does not endorse, guarantee, or accept responsibility for any third-party company, product, claim, or certification. A company being reviewed or approved for listing refers only to Digibition's internal listing review and is not a warranty of that company's quality, legality, solvency, or performance. Any mention of specific standards or certifications is illustrative and is not an endorsement or a statement of compliance. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Digibition accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this page; any reliance is at your own risk.