The shift from traditional server-based web apps to serverless architectures is driven by the appeal of reducing infrastructure management and costs, as serverless allows developers to deploy code without managing underlying server setups. Serverless architecture, exemplified by platforms like AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Functions, operates on a pay-per-use model, meaning costs are only incurred for actual usage rather than maintaining always-on servers, as illustrated by the fictional startup Trakkr, which reduced its hosting costs significantly by switching to serverless. However, serverless is not universally advantageous; it introduces challenges like cold start delays, dependency management, and potential latency issues, requiring developers to evaluate its suitability based on specific application needs and traffic patterns. Ultimately, while serverless offers significant scaling and efficiency benefits, it also presents complexities in debugging and monitoring, necessitating careful consideration and potentially consultation with technical leads to determine its appropriateness for any given project.