Cloud bills getting too high? We see this all the time. Here's what actually works to reduce costs, based on real projects we've handled.

1. Stop paying for power you don't need

[Image: A simple before/after comparison of server costs]

Think of it like paying for a sports car when you just need to commute to work. Many companies use powerful servers when basic ones would work fine.

What we've seen work:

• Check your actual server usage
• Use smaller servers if you're below 50% capacity
• Let servers scale up only when needed

2. Clean up your digital clutter

Just like that gym membership you don't use, forgotten cloud resources drain your wallet. Look for:

• Old test servers
• Unused storage
• Backups you don't need
• Extra IP addresses

3. Store smart, save big

Not all data needs premium storage. It's like keeping all your files in an expensive downtown storage unit when most could go in a cheaper facility outside the city.

Simple fixes:

• Move old data to cheaper storage
• Set up automatic file cleanup
• Delete duplicates

4. Buy in bulk

If you know you'll need servers for a long time, buy them in advance. The savings are huge – we've seen bills cut in half this way.

5. Make your database efficient

You wouldn't run your dishwasher half-empty, so why do it with your database? Small changes here can lead to big savings.

Quick wins:

• Use the right-sized database
• Clean up old data
• Set up proper indexing

The bottom line

These aren't just theories. We've helped companies cut their cloud bills by 30-60% using these exact methods.