A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a system of servers that helps to deliver web content like images, videos, and web pages to users more quickly and efficiently. It works by caching the content in multiple servers around the world, so when someone tries to access your website, the server closest to them will provide the content, making the website load faster. Before signing up for one, you should know the potential impact of using a CDN.
If a small business website uses a CDN, it can help to improve the user experience for their viewers. Since the content is stored in multiple locations, it can be delivered more quickly, reducing the amount of time it takes for the website to load. This can be especially beneficial for websites that have a lot of images or videos.
Potential Downsides
However, there are some potential downsides to using a CDN for a small business website that targets geographically local viewers. One potential issue is that CDN providers may not have servers located in the same region as your target audience. This can lead to slower load times if the content has to travel a long distance to reach the user. In other words, a CDN would hardly work if your hosting server is closer to your target viewers than the CDNs servers.
Another potential issue is the cost of using a CDN. While some CDN providers offer free plans, such as Cloudflare, they may have limitations on the amount of data that can be transferred or the number of requests that can be made. Paid plans vary in their pricing structure, from set monthly fees to paying only for traffic. For small businesses with limited budgets, paying for a CDN may not be a feasible option.
Also, while a CDN may give your website another level of protection, it will also give another level of complexity—another username and password—another set of configurations.
Pros and cons of using a CDN
| The Good | The Not-So-Good |
| Faster website loading times. With a CDN, website content is cached and distributed across multiple servers, allowing users to access content from the nearest server for faster loading times. | Cost. While CDNs can offer cost-effective website hosting solutions, it may not be feasible for some small businesses. |
| Improved website performance. A CDN can improve website performance by reducing server load and increasing website availability. | Complexity: Implementing a CDN can be complex and may require technical expertise. An expert may not be available for some small businesses. |
| Better website security. Some CDNs offer security features, such as DDoS protection and SSL encryption, to protect your website from cyber attacks. | Limited control. CDNs may limit control over website content, as cached content may not always reflect the most up-to-date version of the website. |
| Increased website traffic. Faster website loading times can lead to increased website traffic and user engagement. | Downtime risk. If the CDN experiences downtime or technical issues, it can impact website availability and performance. |
| Improved SEO. A faster website can lead to improved search engine rankings, as Google considers website speed and performance when ranking websites. | Additional latency. While CDNs can improve website performance, they may also slow down page load speeds, particularly if the nearest server is located far away from the user. |
Final Thoughts
Using a CDN can be beneficial for small business websites that want to improve the user experience for their viewers. However, it’s important to consider the potential downsides, such as the cost and the location of the CDN servers, before deciding to use a CDN. If you have viewers in different geographic areas, or if you use lots of images, then consider giving a CDN a trial period. If your viewership is mainly local, and you don’t have galleries of photos, then a CDN may not be worth the effort or expense.
