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How to set up autoscaling on Cloudways

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-13
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 (starting at $35/month)
  • Domain name ready for linking (optional)
  • WordPress or WooCommerce site ready to deploy

Step-by-Step Instructions

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.
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 at $35/month (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Staging prevents live site risks during updates.

Common Issues & 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.

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