Amazon CloudFront is a powerful content delivery network (CDN). It helps deliver your content fast across the globe. But if not used properly, CloudFront can become expensive. Many users make simple mistakes that increase their CloudFront pricing.
In this article, we will explain five common mistakes. We will also give you easy ways to avoid them. All information is written in simple words and short sentences.
1. Not Setting Proper Cache Behavior
CloudFront saves content in the cache at edge locations. This helps reduce traffic to your main server. However many users don’t set proper cache rules. This causes CloudFront to go back to the origin too often.
Why does it increase pricing?
Every request to your origin adds to the data transfer cost. It also increases the load on your origin server.
How to avoid this mistake:
Use a longer TTL (Time to Live) for cached files. Configure cache policies based on file type. Static files like images, CSS, and JavaScript can be cached for a long time. You can also use origin request policies to limit what is sent to the origin.
2. Ignoring Regional Data Transfer Rates
CloudFront pricing depends on the region where your content is delivered. Some areas like Asia or South America have higher rates. Many users do not consider this while planning.
Why does it increase pricing?
Sending large amounts of data to expensive regions can double your costs.
How to avoid this mistake:
Check your user locations. Use analytics to find where your visitors come from. If most traffic comes from expensive regions, try reducing content size. Use compression to shrink images and files. You can also limit video resolution for certain regions.
3. Using Too Many Invalidation Requests
CloudFront lets you remove or update cached content using invalidation. The first 1,000 requests each month are free. But if you go over, AWS charges you.
Why does it increase pricing?
Extra invalidation requests cost $0.005 per request. This adds up quickly if done often.
How to avoid this mistake:
Plan content changes carefully. Use versioned file names. For example, use style-v2.css instead of style.css. This way, you won’t need to clear the old file from the cache. The new file is automatically served to users.
4. Enabling All Features Without Need
CloudFront offers advanced features like real-time logs, Lambda@Edge, and encryption. These are powerful but not always needed. Turning on everything increases your bill.
Why does it increase pricing?
Each feature adds its own cost. Real-time logs are charged by data volume. Lambda@Edge is charged by computing time and requests.
How to avoid this mistake:
Enable only what you need. For example, use standard logging instead of real-time logging if delay is not an issue. Avoid using Lambda@Edge unless you have a specific use case. For simple tasks, you can use basic CloudFront settings.
5. Not Monitoring Usage and Spending
Many users set up CloudFront and forget to check usage. This leads to unexpected bills. You may not notice that traffic or requests increased suddenly.
Why does it increase pricing?
Without monitoring, you won’t catch rising data transfer or request counts in time.
How to avoid this mistake:
Use AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets. These tools track your usage and costs. You can set alerts when spending goes over your set limit. Check CloudFront reports regularly to spot trends. Take action if something looks unusual.
How These Mistakes Add Up
Even small mistakes can make a big difference. Here’s a quick example:
Ignoring cache settings: $10 extra/month
Unused features: $20 extra/month
High invalidations: $15 extra/month
Total extra cost = $45 per month
Over a year, that’s $540 wasted.
CloudFront Pricing Overview
To better understand these mistakes, you should also understand basic CloudFront pricing.
Here are the main cost factors:
1. Data Transfer Out:
You pay per GB of data sent to users.
2. Requests:
CloudFront charges per 10,000 requests.
3. Invalidation Requests:
The first 1,000/month are free. After that, you pay per request.
4. Optional Features:
Extra features like real-time logs, encryption, and Lambda functions have additional fees.
Simple Tips to Keep CloudFront Costs Low
Here are a few easy tips:
- Compress your content.
- Use Brotli or GZIP to reduce file size.
- Cache smarter.
- Set a longer TTL for static content.
- Monitor usage.
- Use AWS Budgets and Alerts.
- Use regional pricing wisely.
- Be aware of expensive delivery locations.
- Limit invalidations.
- Version your files instead of clearing the cache.
Conclusion
Amazon CloudFront is a great way to speed up content delivery. But if you’re not careful, your CloudFront pricing can increase quickly.
The most common mistakes include poor caching, ignoring regional costs, and enabling unnecessary features. Also, too many invalidation requests and no usage tracking can raise your bill.
You can avoid these issues with careful planning. Use AWS tools to monitor usage. Configure settings based on your real needs. Keep your CDN fast and affordable.
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