AWS Cloud Search provides a quick and easily scalable solution for your search needs.  One of the best features of the Internet is the ability to search for anything you want.  Thus, this is a service that is critical for your customers and the growth of your site.

Why Not Rely on Other Sites?

The first question one may ask is why search is needed.  Google, Bing, and other sites provide search features so why duplicate those functions?  In a case like Cloud Search, the results are focused and often more in-depth than a general search portal.  Better yet, public search portals rely on data they can see and index.  Your documents and white papers do not always cut.  Thus, a custom approach service like Cloud Search can be a basis for an accurate knowledge repository.

Free Tier?

This is not a service that is included in the free tier as others are.  This one starts a 30-day free period when you first create a search domain.  Thus, even old customers that are new to search will still have a limited period to test it out.  Once you use the trial, the pricing is not straightforward to estimate so use the Simple Price Calculator to set a baseline.  Once you see the size, use, and need for updates, your price calculations should be more reliable.

Take it for a Test Drive

Every company and site is different.  Therefore, the value of this service will vary across customers.  It also means that you will be the best judge of whether this service works for your content and your needs.  That being said, there are tutorials and walk-throughs to get you started.

This service may seem vast and complicated, but the interface and wizards make it easy to set up.  It is well worth an hour or so to determine how Cloud Search may help you help your customers.

Rob Broadhead

Rob is a founder of, and frequent contributor to, Develpreneur. This includes the Building Better Developers podcast. He is also a lifetime learner as a developer, designer, and manager of software solutions. Rob is the founder of RB Consulting and has managed to author a book about his family experiences and a few about becoming a better developer. In his free time, he stays busy raising five children (although they have grown into adults). When he has a chance to breathe, he is on the ice playing hockey to relax or working on his ballroom dance skills.

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