Quick answer
For stores, compare PHP and database capacity, object caching, staging, backups, checkout reliability and scaling before comparing generic page-speed claims.
Store-specific requirements
- Object cache and database efficiency
- Safe staging and deployment
- Backup and recovery around order data
- Transactional email reliability
- Capacity for peak checkout concurrency
Caching has exclusions
Cart, checkout and account pages are personalized. Full-page caching must respect those boundaries.
Migration risk is higher
A live store can receive orders during the move. Plan a final database sync or controlled maintenance window.
Where Cloudways enters the decision
Cloudways is relevant because Flexible exposes server resources while Autonomous addresses spiky WordPress and WooCommerce demand. Compare it with Nexcess and other WooCommerce-focused platforms if you want a more application-specific package.