Intermediate
How to set up autoscaling on Cloudways
Quick Answer
Cloudways Autonomous provides fully automated Kubernetes-based autoscaling for WordPress and WooCommerce sites, handling traffic spikes without manual intervention. Setup takes 10-15 minutes: sign in, select Autonomous plan, configure app details, and deploy. Built-in features like Cloudflare Enterprise and Object Cache Pro ensure high performance and security.
Prerequisites
- Active Cloudways account (sign up at cloudways.com if needed)
- Chosen Autonomous plan (check current pricing at cloudways.com)
- Domain name ready for linking (optional)
- WordPress or WooCommerce site ready to deploy
1
Log in to Cloudways
Access the main dashboard at
cloudways.com and sign in to your account, or sign up if you are new. This is the entry point to the Cloudways platform.2
Select Autonomous Apps
On the dashboard, locate the hosting options: Flexible Apps and Autonomous Apps. Choose Autonomous Apps and click Get Started to launch the fully managed autoscaling platform powered by Kubernetes.
Tip
Autonomous is tailored for WordPress/WooCommerce with automatic scaling—no manual rules needed.
3
Choose your plan
Click Choose Plan and select based on your needs, such as Plan 1 (1 app, 15GB storage, 100GB bandwidth, ~30,000 visitors/month). You can upgrade anytime via Manage Plan. Click Get Started or Confirm Plan to proceed.
Tip
Plans support 1-6 apps; pay only for what you use as it scales down automatically.
4
Configure application details
Enter an Application Name (e.g.,
new-course-website or mega-blog). Select Server Region (e.g., London for low latency; defaults to nearest optimal). Choose Application Type: WordPress or WooCommerce. Click Add Application; setup completes in 2-5 minutes with no terminal commands.5
Access your site
Once deployed, view the default URL (e.g.,
appname-random.cloudwaysapps.com). Click View Credentials for WordPress admin username/password. Your site now autoscales automatically based on traffic via Kubernetes.Tip
Unlimited PHP workers and load balancing ensure smooth performance during spikes.
6
Add custom domain
In the app dashboard, enter your domain name and click Add Domain. Follow DNS linking prompts; this auto-enables Cloudflare Enterprise for enhanced speed and security.
Tip
Recommended for production; integrates seamlessly with global CDN.
7
Monitor metrics
Go to the Metrics tab to track usage (CPU, bandwidth, visitors). Scaling is automatic—no user-defined thresholds. Pay only for resources used as it scales down during low traffic.
8
Check performance features
In the Performance tab, confirm Object Cache Pro and Cloudflare CDN are enabled by default. These optimize page loads and WordPress admin without extra setup.
Tip
Ideal for high-traffic sites; boosts SEO and user experience.
9
Review intelligence and logs
Use the Intelligence tab to view logs, errors, and site activity. This helps diagnose issues quickly without server access.
10
Create staging or backups
Click buttons for staging environment (test changes safely) or backups. Manage PHP settings or workflows in the Performance tab as needed.
Tip
Staging prevents live site risks during updates.
Troubleshooting
Plan resource limits exceeded (e.g., visitors/month or bandwidth cap during surges)
Monitor Metrics tab for usage; upgrade plan via Manage Plan if 30,000 visitors or 100GB bandwidth hit—scales automatically but caps apply.
Site slows or 503 Service Unavailable errors during extreme spikes
Check Metrics for traffic patterns; upgrade to higher plan for more resources. Kubernetes handles most spikes, but extreme cases need plan adjustment.
High latency from suboptimal region
Select server region closest to your audience during setup (e.g., London for Europe); Cloudflare CDN mitigates but optimal region reduces it further.
Domain not resolving after adding
Verify DNS propagation (up to 48 hours); ensure correct records pointed to Cloudways nameservers as per Add Domain prompts.
Performance issues despite autoscaling
Confirm Object Cache Pro and Cloudflare enabled in Performance tab; review Intelligence logs for errors and optimize WordPress plugins/themes.
Ready to get started with Cloudways?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Cloudways and follow the steps above.
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