CDN is short for content delivery or content distribution network, that’s a bunch of servers that help you deliver your content to the users and clients faster, no matter yours and their location. If it’s optimized, so you can get the best possible performances, even though there can be occasional slowdowns. But, if you develop a proper multi-CDN strategy, you will get better performance in general, which will lower your costs.
But first, let’s explain how all of that works. Through the CDN, many types of content are transferred and delivered to the users, including the websites and their text and graphic elements, media files, documents, streaming channels, on-demand libraries, and social media platforms. Even though it seems big, it’s just a small layer of what we today know as the Internet, and servers and providers. Different types of content require different channels and distribution methods, so they can be delivered to the consumers. As you know, even the simplest website consists of a back script, codes, multimedia, text, and data.
A single CDN will work well in some particular region, but it can be very slow when distributed to other geographical areas, and that’s not how things should work. But, when you use a multi-CDN strategy, it will result in much faster and smoother delivery. For example, this is very useful for those who want to place their content globally. In the past, the websites were simpler and didn’t consume too much memory, because the code was simple, without too much formatting, colors, and multimedia. But, today, we can see how much content is delivered to the consumers just through a website, so it’s expected that better solutions are and will be needed as time goes by.
These are the benefits of having and implementing a multi-CDN strategy:
1. Better overall performance
By using a multi-CDN strategy, you can be sure that you provide the best possible coverage in a given country or area, or globally, in the whole world. As you can see on https://constellix.com/solutions/traffic-steering, it’s always a nice choice to find a tool that will optimize the whole process and the user experience, no matter what type of device they are using, or their Internet connection. That will help the users see everything on the website. Depending on the location, the server is using the most optimal network to show the multimedia to the users, without them having to wait too long for it to load, especially the long videos. If you track your activity and the traffic source, you will be able to optimize the strategy even better and increase the visits. On the further plan, this will prevent a large number of bounces, and improving the analytics data. This is important for the page rankings on search engines, and if you have a proper mobile version or app for your web-service, you can expect even better results.
2. Solve the point of failure problem
A single point of failure is a part of the network that if it somehow stops working, it stops the whole network, and that’s not a behavior we want for our website or Internet service. But, when you implement the multi-CDN strategy, you accomplish a better performance, and you will be able to fix any SPOF problem as soon as possible, knowing that you prevent the whole network to collapse. Sure, sometimes will be some failures, but this strategy will ensure general stability and minimizing the weak points in the network. Single points of failure may appear in Internet networks, computing systems, software, or even the industrial lines of production. Since it causes a dysfunctional moment, an immediate solution is required, so the whole system can proceed to work as needed.
3. Large geographical coverage
Single CDNs can’t cover the whole world. They may work well in some areas, but in different regions and places, the users can have a lot of problems. If you want to provide a global service, then you can’t do that with a single CDN. The multiple strategies will bring a lot of benefits and will resolve any possible geographical issue that may come with the content distribution. That will ensure stable delivery, and optimal user experience, which is your priority, no matter in the world they are based.
4. Lower costs and bigger profits
Every website, software, application, or service has a purpose, and the multi-CDN solution seems like an expensive choice at first. But, its effectiveness is making it more cost-efficient, because you won’t have the expenses for surprising unpleasant problems that must be resolved immediately. Sure, there are more expenses for maintenance, but the performance will be significantly better, which will lead to increased profit. Having a stable network when you offer or sell some service to the users is your main priority, because in the end, your website is the most powerful tool you have, and you must take care for it to be distributed to every potential user, that may buy or use your service.
5. Better PoP performance
PoP is short for points of presence, and the multi-CDN solution provides the same level of effectiveness in every corner of the world, no matter where these points are placed. Sure, there still can be some issue every now and then, but this strategy will ensure continuous working or switching between the delivery lines, to prevent general failure. Sure, this comes with some monthly or yearly fees, but as we said, in a long term it’s the most optimal strategy you may have for your business.
Understanding the importance of being present for all the users all around the world (or in the chosen regions or areas) should be the first thing you do when starting your own business, distributing your product to them, or offering the service. If you are sure that you want to target people for a wider area, then you need to know that you must take in mind the network performance there. That’s the only way you can be sure you are reaching out to the people who may be interested in what you have to tell or offer.
