How the Cloud Can Help Grow Your Business

A brief history of the cloud

The cloud is actually an old idea. Oracle introduced one of the first versions in 1996 with its Network Computer (NC), a low-spec device that relied on a central remote server to store files and run software programs. Consumers never embraced the technology, and the NC ultimately flopped.

As broadband internet expanded, though, everything began to change. Salesforce pioneered the use of the internet to deliver its customer relationship management (CRM) system directly through a web browser. Then, in 2006, Amazon launched its information technology (IT) infrastructure services — the start of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Google, Microsoft, Oracle, CloudBolt and others soon followed with their own cloud offerings.

Types of cloud services and clouds

Cloud providers offer five main types of services:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): These providers rent out virtual machines, containerized environments, storage solutions, networking capabilities and servers with auto-scaling features.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): Instead of downloading programs onto your hard drive, SaaS platforms deliver their services via a web browser or mobile app. Salesforce has done this since 1999, and now, you can access everything from AI-powered accounting tools to cloud-based storage anywhere you have an internet connection.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): These companies offer database management, serverless computing environments, operating systems and low-code development tools to help teams rapidly create new services and apps.
• Desktop as a Service (DaaS): DaaS delivers cloud-hosted desktops that let employees log in to their full workspace from laptops, tablets or other devices — wherever they’re working. It’s similar to remote desktop tools but managed entirely in the cloud.
• Business Process as a Service (BPaaS): This model automates entire business processes through AI and machine learning, from intelligent advertising optimization and predictive marketing to smart procurement and automated payroll processing.

There are also three main types of cloud environments:

• Public cloud: The public cloud is the most budget-friendly option. You share servers with other users in a secure, multi-tenant setup, and modern safeguards, including zero-trust security and advanced encryption, keep your data protected without driving up costs.
• Private cloud: With this option, you get dedicated resources hosted either at your provider’s data center or on-premises, with full control over hardware and software configurations. While setup costs are higher, you benefit from enhanced security, stronger compliance and guaranteed performance.
• Hybrid cloud: A hybrid cloud blends public and private systems so data and applications can move easily between them. You might keep sensitive information on a private cloud while using the public cloud for extra capacity, giving your business both security and scalability.

Businesses can now build the exact remote IT infrastructure they need by combining the right types of cloud services and environments.

How can the cloud drive business growth?

Here are 15 ways the cloud can help your business grow.

1. Be more productive

Cloud computing boosts productivity in countless ways. For example, AI-powered data analytics in cloud accounting software can reveal profit margins in real time, predict seasonal trends and automatically flag unusual expenses that might signal errors or fraud.

Modern integration tools like Zapier, Make and Microsoft Power Automate now use AI to recommend workflow improvements and connect thousands of apps effortlessly. As a result, you and your team can work from unified dashboards where customer, financial and performance data update automatically across every connected system.

With instant access to AI-driven insights, it’s easier to spot bottlenecks, anticipate maintenance needs and optimize resources across your business.

2. Sell wherever you are

You no longer have to jump in the car or hop on a plane to deliver a great sales presentation. With cloud-based tools like Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint Online and Canva, paired with video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, you can create immersive, interactive sales experiences from anywhere.

Modern features like real-time collaboration, AI-powered design suggestions and instant translation make it easier than ever to connect with clients worldwide. It’s also simpler to gather all the decision-makers in one place; just send them a meeting link, start selling and enjoy increased sales.

3. Secure your business data and documentation

Modern cloud encryption now uses quantum-resistant algorithms and end-to-end security protocols to safeguard data moving between your devices and the cloud, helping thwart even today’s most sophisticated cyberthreats. This protection extends to your stored documents, as well as all internal and external communications.

Leading cloud providers maintain SOC 2 Type II compliance, hold ISO 27001 certification, and follow zero-trust security models with continuous threat monitoring. And these layers of protection, combined with AI-driven automation, make a measurable difference in security outcomes. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, organizations that used security AI and automation extensively saved an average of $1.9 million per breach compared to those that didn’t.

4. Scale as you need to

Before spending money on an on-premises IT system, you need to be sure you’ll use it to its full potential to justify the substantial upfront investment. It also takes months of planning and setup.

With cloud computing, it’s different. Growing companies need flexibility and a scalable business model, and the cloud delivers it through auto-scaling features that adjust resources in real time based on demand. Modern platforms also support serverless architectures that allocate computing power only when it’s needed, eliminating idle costs and, in some cases, cutting expenses by 38 to 70 percent compared with traditional server-based models, according to Deloitte data on AWS Lambda.

With the cloud, you can breeze through traffic spikes during peak times and let systems automatically dial back when demand drops, keeping performance high and costs low.

5. Exploit big-data opportunities

Smaller business IT networks have traditionally lacked the storage or computing power needed to handle big data. Plus, few small businesses have their own in-house data scientists.

Today’s cloud-based AI platforms take the complexity out of data science. Tools like Amazon SageMaker, Google Cloud AutoML and Microsoft Azure Machine Learning let you build and test models through simple drag-and-drop dashboards — no coding required — and can crunch billions of data points in minutes.

With these tools, you can uncover customer patterns, adjust pricing in real time, catch irregular transactions early and forecast inventory needs with remarkable precision.

6. Benefit from better team collaboration

With cloud-based internal communication apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams and Discord, you can create smart, AI-supported channels that keep conversations organized by topic, summarize long discussions and even translate messages instantly for global teams.

Modern project management platforms such as Monday.com, Asana and Notion now include built-in AI assistants that assign tasks based on workload and skill, predict project timelines and flag potential bottlenecks before they derail progress. Because these tools connect with hundreds of apps through integrations, every team member can see the latest updates in one place without chasing links or status emails, all of which makes for much better workplace collaboration.

7. Automate more tasks

Cloud-based workflow automation powered by AI has transformed task management. Robotic process automation (RPA) tools now handle complex, multi-step workflows that once required human oversight. According to PwC, sectors using AI intensively saw productivity growth of 4.3 percent between 2018 and 2022, compared with just 0.9 percent in other sectors — proof that automation is already delivering measurable gains.

Here are a few examples: 

• Content-planning platforms: Modern content-planning platforms use generative AI to draft copy, suggest SEO optimizations and automatically adapt content for different platforms and audiences. Tools like Jasper AI, Copy.ai and ChatGPT Enterprise can generate blog posts, social media updates and marketing campaigns that stay true to your brand voice.
• Content scheduling: Advanced scheduling tools such as Hootsuite and Sprout Social now use predictive analytics to pinpoint the best posting times and automatically fine-tune content strategies based on engagement metrics.
• HR tasks: Cloud-based HR platforms have also evolved to automate tasks. For example, AI-powered applicant-tracking systems can screen résumés, conduct initial video interviews and even predict candidate success rates. And platforms like Workday and BambooHR automate everything from the onboarding process to performance reviews while maintaining HR compliance with shifting labor regulations.

8. Save money

Cloud apps help you save money, and you can reinvest those savings to grow your business.

First, shifting away from on-premises infrastructure can dramatically cut capital and maintenance costs. Organizations are boosting financial performance by optimizing their cloud use, recovering about 27 percent of previously wasted spend and reporting record-high cost-efficiency gains, according to Flexera’s 2025 State of the Cloud Report (cited earlier). That includes savings on hardware, cooling systems, physical security and real estate. 

Public-cloud data centers are also far more efficient — about 3.8 times more energy-efficient and 4.7 times more carbon-efficient than traditional enterprise data centers, according to an IDC/AWS 2023 InfoBrief. As a bonus, you can show your customers that you can make a profit and be socially responsible.

You can also reduce operational costs with cloud technology. AI-powered automation takes on routine tasks, cutting the need for manual work while improving accuracy and speed.

With most cloud apps, you benefit from consumption-based pricing models, paying only for the resources you use. Many providers now include built-in cost-optimization tools that automatically identify and eliminate wasteful spending.

9. Hire fewer programmers and IT staff

Cloud platforms have dramatically reduced the need for large, specialized IT teams through managed services and automated maintenance. 

According to CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2025 report, roles tied to traditional infrastructure management, like network administration and on-premises support, are growing much more slowly than fields such as AI, data analytics and cybersecurity. As more companies shift to cloud-based systems, they’re optimizing IT headcount and focusing new hires on higher-value digital skills instead of routine maintenance.

With 24/7 automated monitoring, self-healing systems and AI-driven troubleshooting, most technical issues are resolved before they affect operations, reducing the need for constant in-house oversight.

10. Expand employee availability

Remote work plans are now a lasting fixture of modern employment. In fact, FlexJobs’ 2025 State of the Workplace Report found that 37 percent of employees rank remote flexibility as their top priority when evaluating a new job, ahead of salary and employee benefits.

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report reinforces this shift: employee engagement and overall well-being are consistently higher among remote and hybrid workers than among those on-site full-time. Thirty-one percent of exclusively remote employees report being engaged, compared with just 19 percent of on-site staff without remote capability.

Cloud apps and secure connectivity make this flexibility possible, giving employees secure remote access to company networks and resources from anywhere. That means businesses can attract top talent, keep teams productive across time zones, and maintain business continuity even when in-office work isn’t an option.

11. Be prepared for business interruptions and cyberattacks

With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated — 42 percent of organizations experienced a successful social-engineering attack in 2024, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 — cloud-based disaster recovery has become essential. Modern cloud platforms offer automated backup systems with point-in-time recovery, allowing businesses to restore operations within minutes of an incident.

Many business owners are also wary of ransomware attacks, in which hackers lock systems and threaten to destroy data unless a ransom is paid. Cloud providers now counter these threats with immutable backups that can’t be encrypted or deleted, plus AI-driven threat detection that can help prevent cyberattacks or identify and isolate attacks before they spread.

12. Capitalize on e-commerce

Cloud-based e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce now power millions of online stores globally. Shopify alone is used by roughly 27 percent of websites that leverage e-commerce technologies and holds about 10 percent of the global e-commerce software market.

These e-commerce sites offer AI-powered features like personalized product recommendations (ideal for upselling and cross-selling), automated inventory management and dynamic pricing optimization across multiple sales channels, with everything hosted in the cloud to ensure scalability and security. [Learn more about how Wix can help your e-commerce business.]

Cloud hosting services now include machine-learning SEO strategy tools that automatically refine meta descriptions, generate schema markup and suggest content improvements as search algorithms evolve. Integrated AI writing assistants can craft product descriptions, blog content and marketing copy that ranks well while staying true to your brand voice. 

13. Improve your customers’ experiences

Today’s customers expect businesses to understand and anticipate their needs, and cloud technology makes that possible. According to Salesforce’s State of the AI-Connected Customer 2025 report, 61 percent of customers say it’s more important than ever for companies to be trustworthy as AI reshapes the customer experience, yet only 42 percent trust businesses to use AI responsibly. And while 73 percent of customers feel brands treat them as individuals, fewer than half believe their data is used in ways that truly benefit them (49 percent).

Cloud-based CRM systems for small businesses help close that trust gap by centralizing data securely and using AI to deliver meaningful personalization, including personalized email marketing campaigns and text message marketing. By using the best CRM systems, businesses can analyze behavior patterns, tailor offers and automate follow-ups without crossing privacy lines, turning data into stronger, more authentic relationships.

14. Manage your finances better

Before the cloud, accounting and bookkeeping were complex, manual and paper-heavy. Today, the best accounting software uses AI to automate transaction categorization with near-perfect accuracy, generate predictive cash flow forecasts and deliver real-time financial insights through natural language queries. Platforms like QuickBooks Online, Xero and FreshBooks can now detect duplicate expenses, flag unusual transactions and even suggest tax-saving strategies based on your business structure. 

Instead of waiting for your bookkeeper or accountant to update you, you can view your company’s financial health in real time. This kind of visibility helps you identify cost-saving opportunities, set smarter pricing for your services and use AI-powered forecasting tools to predict revenue trends more accurately, all of which support better strategic investment and growth decisions.

Cloud accounting tools also connect seamlessly with your other apps. For example, when you process a sale through one of the best POS systems, the transaction automatically appears in your books, keeping records current without extra effort.

15. Make smarter decisions

You can configure cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to act as a CRM, accounting tool and much more. Modern ERP systems like NetSuite, SAP S/4HANA Cloud and Microsoft Dynamics 365 now incorporate AI-driven analytics that can predict market trends, optimize supply chains and identify revenue opportunities across all business functions.

Advanced ERP platforms now include digital twins — virtual replicas of your operations — that let you simulate different scenarios and forecast outcomes before making major decisions. With embedded machine learning, these systems can automatically adjust inventory levels based on demand forecasting, optimize production schedules to minimize costs and even suggest process improvements using industry benchmarks.

AI adoption in enterprise systems is accelerating, helping leaders make even smarter decisions. According to McKinsey’s Technology Trends Outlook 2025, 78 percent of organizations now use AI in at least one business function, and over 90 percent of executives plan to increase AI investment within three years. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in ERP and analytics tools, companies can make faster, more data-driven decisions that were once out of reach for small and midsize businesses. [Learn more about ERP industry trends to watch for.]

How much does the cloud cost?

Cloud pricing is more flexible and transparent than ever, with most providers offering pay-as-you-go models, reserved capacity discounts and cost calculators to help businesses predict expenses accurately. Here’s a look at typical cloud platforms and their costs. 

• Storage and document management: For basic document and data storage on platforms like Dropbox Business or Google Workspace, expect to pay around $15 per user monthly. The best document management software, which now features AI-powered document processing, intelligent search and automated workflow routing, typically starts between $30 and $50 per user monthly for comprehensive solutions.
• Business applications (SaaS and BPaaS): Specialized SaaS and BPaaS platforms charge more but deliver broader functionality. For instance, the best medical billing services often cost 4 to 8 percent of collections, while the best online payroll services start from about $40 per month plus $4 to $8 per employee, with automated tax filing and compliance tools included.
• Customer relationship management: Popular CRM platforms now start at $15 to $25 per user monthly, while enterprise-grade solutions with advanced analytics, AI features and unlimited customization can range from $150 to $300 per user monthly. 
• Website building and hosting: Website builders and hosting platforms charge anywhere from $16 per month for a basic business site to $500 or more for enterprise e-commerce setups with unlimited products, advanced SEO and multi-channel selling.
• Infrastructure and platform services (IaaS and PaaS): For infrastructure and platform solutions, major providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform base pricing on compute hours, storage, data transfer and specific service tiers. Small businesses typically spend between $500 and $5,000 per month on cloud infrastructure. Costs can often be reduced through reserved instances, spot pricing and auto-scaling configurations, which can cut expenses significantly when properly optimized.

Note: Cloud pricing varies by region, contract terms, usage volume and provider. Always review plan details and regional rates to ensure accurate budgeting for your business.

Chris Porteous contributed to this article.