The answer is Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting, as it is the most cost-effective Azure service for hosting a static site globally without managing servers. This solution works by storing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files directly in a storage container, eliminating the need for virtual machines or App Service plans, which incur compute costs. The pay-per-GB storage model and zero compute fees keep expenses minimal, while built-in high availability is achieved through geo-redundant storage (GRS) and global reach via Azure CDN integration. On the AZ-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of platform-as-a-service (PaaS) versus infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) trade-offs, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose Azure App Service or Virtual Machines. Remember the key distinction: if there is no server-side code, Blob Storage is the cheapest option. A helpful memory tip is “Static = Storage,” meaning static content belongs in Blob Storage, not compute services.
AZ-900 Describe Azure architecture and services Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure architecture and services. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company wants to host a static website (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) that is accessed by users worldwide. They need a low-cost solution that provides high availability and global reach without managing servers. Which Azure service is most cost-effective for this scenario?
Correct. Blob Storage static websites are cost-effective, scale automatically, and can be paired with Azure CDN for global reach.
B
Azure App Service
Why wrong: Incorrect. App Service is designed for dynamic web apps and is more expensive than Blob Storage for static content.
C
Azure Virtual Machines
Why wrong: Incorrect. VMs require management and are overkill for a static website, resulting in higher costs.
D
Azure CDN
Why wrong: Incorrect. CDN is a content delivery network that accelerates delivery, but it needs an origin to host the content; it does not host the static files itself.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting
Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting is the most cost-effective solution because it allows you to host static content (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) directly from a storage container without provisioning any virtual machines or app service plans. It provides built-in high availability through geo-redundant storage (GRS) and global reach via integration with Azure CDN, while the pay-per-GB storage model and no compute costs keep expenses minimal.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting
Why this is correct
Correct. Blob Storage static websites are cost-effective, scale automatically, and can be paired with Azure CDN for global reach.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure App Service
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. App Service is designed for dynamic web apps and is more expensive than Blob Storage for static content.
✗
Azure Virtual Machines
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. VMs require management and are overkill for a static website, resulting in higher costs.
✗
Azure CDN
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CDN is a content delivery network that accelerates delivery, but it needs an origin to host the content; it does not host the static files itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure CDN as a standalone hosting service, but it is only a caching layer and requires an origin (like Blob Storage) to host the actual files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Blob Storage static website hosting works by enabling the 'Static website' property on a general-purpose v2 storage account, which creates a $web container. The service automatically serves index and error documents via the storage account's primary endpoint (e.g., https://<account>.z6.web.core.windows.net). For global reach, you can front the endpoint with Azure CDN from Microsoft (Standard tier) at no additional cost for the CDN profile, leveraging the storage account as the origin to cache content at edge nodes worldwide, reducing latency and egress costs.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-900 question in full detail.
Describe Azure architecture and services — This question tests Describe Azure architecture and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting — Azure Blob Storage with static website hosting is the most cost-effective solution because it allows you to host static content (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) directly from a storage container without provisioning any virtual machines or app service plans. It provides built-in high availability through geo-redundant storage (GRS) and global reach via integration with Azure CDN, while the pay-per-GB storage model and no compute costs keep expenses minimal.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This AZ-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-900 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.