How to migrate to the cloud? What should we know before doing it?

In today’s digital world, the cloud is not just a buzzword. It is a game-changer. From startups to global enterprises, organizations are moving away from traditional, on-premises infrastructure and into flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient cloud environments. But here’s the thing: cloud migration is not as simple as dragging files from one folder to another. It is a strategic process that involves technology, security, costs, and careful planning. 

If migrating to the cloud is already a real need for your business, for sure you have been asking yourself, “How do I migrate to the cloud? What do I need to know before I do it?” No worries! This article walks you through everything you must know about this strategic process. By the end, you will understand how to approach cloud migration and how to set yourself up for long-term success. Are you ready? Let’s crack it! 

What is Cloud Migration? 

At its core, cloud migration is the process of moving your digital assets (applications, data, workloads, and even entire IT infrastructure) from your property (local servers) to a cloud computing environment. It can include moving all of your applications and services, or it can be partial. 

Think of it like moving houses. Instead of living in one fixed location (on-premise servers), you move into a dynamic, highly flexible neighborhood (the cloud). Here, you can expand your living space, upgrade amenities, and pay only for what you use. There are a few different “destinations” for your migration journey: 

• Private cloud. It is a dedicated infrastructure for one specific organization. It is the popular recommendation for security-sensitive industries. 

• Public cloud. It is a highly scalable and cost-efficient alternative offered by providers like Azure, AWS,  or Google Cloud. 

• Multi-cloud. It uses multiple cloud providers simultaneously to reduce vendor lock-in and optimize performance. 

• Hybrid cloud. It is a mix of on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources. It is a great choice for gradual transitions. 

Types of Cloud Migration 

Cloud migration is not a one-size-fits-all move. There are different approaches, and businesses should choose based on their goals, budget, and IT maturity. 

Rehosting (“Lift and Shift”) 

It is quick and often the cheapest way to migrate. You simply move applications and data directly to the cloud with minimal changes. Rehosting copies all the data from the three layers (application, database, and OS), and that’s it. It is like moving your house into a new neighborhood without changing the furniture inside. Pros? Speed, lower upfront cost, less disruption, and easy (it doesn’t require additional processes). Cons? Apps may not run efficiently long-term, and you might end up paying more in cloud resources than expected. It is a perfect choice for businesses needing a fast move, but not long-term optimization. 

Replatforming 

This approach adds a little renovation before moving into the new “cloud home.” With replatforming, you make small tweaks, like updating databases or operating systems, to better adapt apps to the cloud environment. Pros? Better performance and efficiency than rehosting, without the heavy investment of a complete rebuild. Cons? More work than lift-and-shift, and potential risks if updates clash with existing systems. It is a solid middle ground for businesses wanting improvement without massive costs. 

Refactoring / Rearchitecting 

It is a total makeover! You can redesign applications entirely to take advantage of cloud-native features. For instance, you can rebuild apps to be cloud-native using microservices, containers, or serverless computing. Pros? Maximum scalability, flexibility, and cost optimization in the long run. Your business is future-proofed with the latest cloud features. Cons? High upfront cost, complex development, and longer timelines. This choice is best for innovative businesses planning for growth and modernization rather than just “getting to the cloud.” 

Hybrid Approach 

Sometimes you don’t want to leave your old home behind completely. A hybrid migration combines on-premises infrastructure with cloud adoption, letting businesses move gradually. Pros? You get flexibility, easier compliance with regulations, and reduced risk of downtime. Cons? The complexity of managing two environments and possibly higher long-term costs. It is ideal for gradual shifts or compliance-heavy industries like finance or healthcare where regulations require some data to stay on-premises while still enjoying cloud benefits. 

Each migration type has its sweet spot: lift-and-shift for speed, replatforming for balance, refactoring for innovation, and hybrid for flexibility. The trick is to match a migration type to your business needs and long-term strategy, not just rush into the cloud because “everyone else is doing it.” 

Why should you consider Cloud Migration? 

Cloud migration is less about moving data and more about transforming how your business operates and innovates. The benefits of moving everything to a company that specializes in cloud technology include: 

Security improvements 

Security is a top priority of any cloud service provider. Leading cloud providers invest billions in cybersecurity. They use advanced encryption, constant monitoring, and multi-layered defenses to protect sensitive information. Why? The goal (essential selling point) is to guarantee clients that their data is safer in the cloud than in their office. Of course, migration must be executed carefully to avoid data loss, corruption, or leakage, but once set up adequately, the result is stronger data protection, reduced risk of breaches, and compliance with global security standards. 

Scalability on demand 

Imagine your online store suddenly gets a flood of customers during the holidays. With traditional servers, you would be in panic mode, scrambling to handle the traffic. The cloud eliminates this stress by scaling up instantly when demand spikes, and scaling back down when things are calm. It means no lost sales, no frustrated customers, and no wasted resources. 

Reduced IT staff 

You don’t need to have people checking for every patch or update. Your cloud provider is responsible for these tasks. Therefore, your business can operate with only a minimum amount of IT staff.  

Cost efficiency 

Why pay for a giant office building when you only use half the space? That is exactly what happens with traditional IT hardware. Cloud migration introduces pay-as-you-go pricing models, so you only spend money on the resources you actually use. No more buying expensive servers that sit idle. Additionally, you won’t need to upgrade your gear and software. You pay a monthly fee, and you can redirect the savings into innovation, marketing, or growth initiatives. Over time, this makes your IT budget leaner and far more predictable. 

Innovation access 

Want to test artificial intelligence, machine learning, or big data analytics? The cloud gives you instant access to cutting-edge tools and platforms without the hassle of setting them up on your own. Businesses that migrate to the cloud suddenly find themselves with the same innovation playground as the world’s tech giants. It means you can experiment faster, launch new features quicker, and stay ahead of your competitors. 

Disaster recovery 

Storms, power outages, and lethal cyberattacks can cripple traditional IT setups. With the cloud, disaster recovery is built in. Your data is automatically backed up and replicated across multiple locations, so even if one server fails, your business keeps running smoothly. Instead of losing hours (or days) trying to restore systems, you can be back online within minutes. It not only saves money but also builds trust with your clients, who see you as reliable, no matter what happens. 

Remote collaboration 

The cloud makes geography almost irrelevant. Whether your team is in Tokyo, New York, or London, cloud-based tools let them collaborate in real-time as if they were in the same office. Shared documents, video meetings, and project dashboards are accessible anywhere with an internet connection. This boosts productivity, speeds up decision-making, and keeps everyone aligned, no matter the distance. 

Geographical expansion 

This one is related to scalability. It is expensive and complex to expand to other international markets. You can directly benefit from the point of presence.
 

Mistakes to avoid when migrating to the cloud 

Cloud migration is a very sensitive process. It requires a plan that includes preparation, accurate execution, and post-migration practices to guarantee the security of your business data and operations. A clear and adequate plan will help you to avoid expensive and painful mistakes like the following. 

• Rushing the migration. Moving data without preparation is like crossing a bridge without checking its stability. Take time to secure the connection, test workloads, and plan carefully. 

• Skipping security configurations. Cloud providers offer security tools, but misconfigurations (like leaving storage buckets open) can lead to breaches. 

• Ignoring backups. Trusting the cloud blindly for backups is risky. Always have an additional backup plan, whether offline storage or multi-cloud redundancy. 

• Underestimating costs. Cloud can save money, but poorly optimized usage (unused instances or over-provisioning) can lead to skyrocketing bills. 

• Neglecting compliance. Data regulations (GDPR, HIPAA) can make or break your migration. Always ensure compliance before moving sensitive information. 

You can learn much more to prepare your migration process in our article Devastating Cloud Migration Mistakes You Need to Avoid. 

Migration process – steps 

1. Plan strategically 

Every successful cloud migration starts with a clear plan. This means defining your business needs, goals, assessing risks, and creating a detailed roadmap. Ask yourself: What is currently missing? Why do you want to migrate? What do you want to achieve? Faster performance, cost savings, remote access? Planning ensures you don’t rush blindly into the cloud. It is also the moment to identify potential challenges like legacy applications or compliance issues. A strong strategy lays the foundation for a smooth journey, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring your migration aligns with long-term business objectives. 

2. Choose your level of integration 

Decide how much of your IT environment you want to move to the cloud. Do you want a full migration of all applications, databases, and storage, or just specific workloads? Determining this helps you prioritize critical systems, manage costs, and avoid unnecessary complexity while ensuring a smooth, tailored cloud adoption strategy. 

3. Choose a cloud model and provider 

Decide which cloud model fits your business: public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud. After selecting the model, analyze different providers’ plans and pick the one that matches your needs (security, features, flexibility, etc.), budget, and offers you more in the future, so you can easily upgrade. This decision is critical! Your provider will be your migration partner, so research carefully and consider reputation, support, and available tools before signing on.  

4. Assess applications and data 

Not all applications are ready for a simple “lift and shift.” Some may need replatforming or refactoring to work efficiently in the cloud. Assess each app and data set for compatibility, performance needs, and security requirements. Identify mission-critical systems and low-risk workloads. For instance, confirm that your database can be transferred and work with the cloud you have chosen. If your data is very big, you might need to find a way to compress it. Ensure that you can send the data through a secure path. Losing your data can damage your company significantly. This step helps prevent downtime and ensures smooth functionality. Think of it as preparing your luggage for a long trip: you pack carefully, so nothing breaks or gets lost during transit. 

5. Create a security and compliance plan 

Before moving any data, build a robust security framework. It includes encryption, identity management, compliance checks, and regulatory adherence. Cloud migration without a security plan is like leaving the front door wide open. Involve your IT and compliance teams early, and define access controls, monitoring, and backup strategies. Proper planning ensures the protection of sensitive information, builds trust with stakeholders, and avoids penalties from compliance violations. 

6. Execute the migration 

It is finally time to move workloads! Start gradually, with low-risk systems first. Use automated migration tools where possible, monitor progress, and communicate with your teams. Avoid migrating everything at once. It is much safer and less stressful to go in phases. This approach lets you catch errors early, reduce downtime, and build confidence. 

7. Test and validate 

Once workloads are in the cloud, don’t declare victory immediately! Test performance, security, and functionality thoroughly. Check that applications run smoothly, data integrity is intact, and security protocols are enforced. Testing ensures that your systems deliver the expected benefits and that users can work without disruption. Identify issues early, fix them, and validate your migration against your original goals. Only after comprehensive testing can you confidently say the migration is successful. 

8. Optimize after the migration 

Migration does not end at “go live.” Monitor cloud usage, optimize costs, and adopt cloud-native features like auto-scaling, AI tools, or serverless functions. Fine-tune your workloads to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Continuous optimization ensures you fully leverage the cloud’s benefits while maintaining security, performance, and cost control. Think of it as tuning a car after a long trip. You want it running smoothly for the next trip and the long term. 

Post-migration best practices 

Your work does not end once your workloads land in the cloud. The next challenge begins after that. Post-migration is about turning your cloud into a business advantage, not just another storage locker. Therefore: 

• Enhance security. Implement multi-factor authentication, encryption, and continuous monitoring. 

• Monitor performance. Use cloud-native monitoring to keep apps running smoothly. 

• Optimize costs. Shut down unused instances, adopt reserved pricing, and audit regularly. 

• Train teams. Empower staff with cloud skills; otherwise, you won’t maximize value. 

• Iterate continuously. The cloud evolves fast. Keep refining your environment. 

Conclusion 

Cloud migration is a strategic move for survival and growth in today’s digital-first economy. The key is planning. When done right, the cloud empowers businesses to innovate faster, scale smarter, reduce costs, and stay competitive. If you are determined to migrate your business to the cloud, you can always hire assistance for executing the process. Cloud providers offer migration support for free or for a fee. You can check out our offers here. Neterra.Cloud provides excellent service at a fair price. For any specific questions, you can contact us at contact@neterra.net.
So, whether you are a small business looking to cut IT costs or a large enterprise aiming for global scalability, remember: plan smart, migrate smoothly, and unlock the full potential of the cloud.