Unlocking AWS Potential for Startup Growth

Cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are in high demand, especially in a tech startup world. Startups rely on cloud services and platforms for scalable infrastructure, storage, and services.

However, the common concern startups have when thinking of working with cloud services experts is that, while many understand the importance and convenience, the cost may be prohibitive. As talent is scarce, and the demand is high, the cost of hiring an AWS architect is usually high.

In this article, we will explain what 3 cloud services are the most popular for startups and why, then we speak about how to get these services without breaking the bank and spend investors’ money wisely.

Of course, the technology and services any specific startup needs can vary depending on the industry, market, business model, and goals.

The first and ultimate advice is always to work with an expert in the area. Look for certified and well rated professionals.They charge more per hour and for many startups it might be out of range from the first glance, but in most cases the total amount of time cloud services experts need to set up the environment in a correct way will be less than working with someone less experienced or trying to learn it by yourself if you are a technical founder. Focus on what really stands you apart from the multitude of platforms on the market.

3 Most Popular Cloud Services for SaaS Startups

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Infrastructure as Code, also known as IaC, is the managing and provisioning of infrastructure through code, instead of through manual processes. By implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC), the process of provisioning infrastructure becomes automated. This frees developers from the manual tasks of setting up and managing servers, operating systems, storage, and other infrastructure components during application development and deployment. 

Many DevOps practices involve treating infrastructure as code, which means defining infrastructure resources (e.g., servers, databases, networks) in code. This enables startups to automate the provisioning and management of infrastructure, making it easier to scale and maintain their applications.

As a new startup founder, technical or non-technical, consider designing your platform using IaC principles.

For growing firms with existing platforms, please consult with a qualified expert to get an estimate on migration and evaluate the readiness of your platform and caveats.

DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment

DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment, also known as CI/CD. This type of cloud service enables teams to automate the building, testing, and deployment of code changes. This speeds up the development process, enabling developers to release new features and updates quicker. Continuous integration ensures that code changes are merged and tested frequently, reducing integration issues and delays. 

Additional benefits of using a CI/CD cloud service include: 

• Consistency: Specifically, CI/CD pipelines ensure every code change follows the same deployment and testing process, reducing the chase of human errors and discrepancies between development and production environments. The result is more reliable and predictable software releases. 
• Automated Testing: CI/CD pipeline also automates the execution of various tests, including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. This ensures code changes are thoroughly validated before deployment, reducing the likelihood of introducing bugs or regressions in production. 
• Scalability: CI/CD pipelines can easily scale with applications, enabling startups to handle increased traffic and demand without significantly increasing operational overhead. 
• Risk Mitigation: Automating the deployment process allows for better risk management. If an issue arises in production, rollbacks or hotfixes can be applied quickly and consistently, minimizing the impact on users.
• Continuous Delivery: CI/CD pipelines support a continuous delivery approach, where software is always in a deployable state. This means that startups can release new features, bug fixes, and improvements to users at any time, giving them a competitive edge and the ability to respond to customer feedback rapidly.

Usage of Cloud-Native Technologies

Cloud Infrastructure, when done right, provides you access to unique technologies. Some of them include automatic scaling and optimization of expenses for hosting and maintenance of the web application. Technologies like Kubernetes, Docker, and serverless computing are increasingly important for startups building and scaling applications in the cloud. They provide many benefits for SaaS startups.

• Automated Scalability: Kubernetes and serverless platforms enable applications to automatically scale in response to changing traffic levels, ensuring a startup can handle usage surges without manual intervention. This makes it a good fit for accommodating growth. 
• Cost-Efficient Pay-As-You-Go: Serverless computing provides a pay-as-you-go model, where startups only pay for the resources used during the execution of specific jobs and functions. This can help startups save investors’ money, which is important in the early stages of running a business. 
• Portability with Docker: Docker containers are known for being highly portable, enabling startups to package their applications and dependencies into containers. This ultimately simplifies the movement of applications across different environments (including development, testing, and production). It also reduces vendor lock-in, giving startups the freedom to choose their cloud providers. 
• Streamlined Development: Kubernetes and Docker streamline the entire development process. This means your developers can create containers with all the necessary dependencies across production environments and release new features and updates more quickly.
• Active Community Support: Kubernetes, Docker, and serverless platforms provide a significant amount of community support and resources. This can make it easier for startups to access best practices shared by the community, potentially increasing efficiency within your company. 

How To Implement One of the Above Cloud Services

While the above cloud services offer several advantages, the main drawback is they all require a specific level of expertise, and hiring an in-house expert or educating your existing team can be expensive. This makes it difficult for most startups to implement cloud services since many have limited funding available especially in the current economic situation, where the global VC markets continue to stumble. 

In reality, when implemented correctly, cloud infrastructure requires minimal maintenance and rarely experiences disruptions.

The solution? Consider working with a specialized third-party agency who can help you implement the exact type of cloud service your company needs. They’ll have the expertise required, provide comprehensive packaged pricing and won’t cost nearly as much as an in-house resource. Plus, cloud services typically only need to be implemented once to run efficiently. This means as long as it’s done correctly, you won’t need to continuously pay someone to run the system. 

The technology landscape evolves rapidly and the demands of startups shift quickly. You don’t know where your code is and how it is deployed? Do you think your AWS bill is too high? Are you concerned that product updates and new releases take a long time? If your answer for at least one of these questions is “yes”, reach out to GMind for a free consultation and evaluation of your environment and we will make sure you are confident about your technology status.