Dedicated server hosting is a great option for larger businesses that need improved stability and reliability. Unlike with shared hosting, only the owner uses the entire server. As a result, security levels increase as well.
There are other benefits as well, such as having more flexibility to design the system according to existing needs. This makes choosing between the best dedicated server providers crucial to success.
But Aren’t They All the Same?
Unfortunately, no. It’s like a smartphone. Even though all smartphones technically allow their users to perform various functions, some of them will be better than others.
That’s why, if ensuring the best fit is important, consider opting for a dedicated server. When website performance (and potential ROI from it) are at stake, isn’t shopping for a great deal worth it?
Fortunately, this process doesn’t have to be hard and long-winded. Reviewing the factors listed in the next section will help readers create an assessment-based decision.
Factors to Look for When Selecting a Dedicated Server
Explore the range of reliable dedicated servers that can support site activities and functions. Consider these parameters before taking a final decision:
Minimum Performance Requirements
Why is it important? A poor-performing website can turn off potential site visitors.
Various factors come into determining the performance required to keep hosted websites running smoothly. Some of these include:
- The average number of users;
- The number of websites hosted;
- Types of services offered;
- Acceptable load time.
All these will come into play when selecting hardware. If there’s no one in the organization to determine requirements properly, hire an expert. It’s always better to get started on the right foot than to try to put out fires later on.
Potential Downtime
Why is it important? Unreliability can permanently damage a business’s reputation and following.
Visitors want to access a website, and they’re not going to wait around. Why would they if there are alternatives available?
So, in narrowing down the options, look into the reputation of the provider. Anyone can promise superb loading speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Unfortunately, many unreliable providers fail to deliver on this.
Switching when everything’s already live can take a lot of resources. Should the business decision be to stay, they’ll continue losing money from sales and other revenue-generating activities that the server supports.
Budget
Why is it important? Terminated access to crucial subscriptions can disrupt operations.
There’s a relatively large cost associated with a dedicated server. This means it’s not the best solution for organizations that are just starting out.
But even if there’s a budget for the general cost of the server, remember that it’s not the only thing that the finance department will be paying for. Consider the other software licensing fees as well.
How about the IT team? If the business is relying on a shared server where everything has already been set up, the switch will be a huge leap. Managing one requires a higher level of expertise, so they may have to hire a couple of new members to the team.
Scalability
Why is it important? It helps in making sure operations continue smoothly even as the business and its digital traffic grow.
Growth is a constant goal in every business. That’s why, as the owner grows business assets, it shouldn’t just be about the present. Scaling up should also be kept in mind.
If there’s explosive growth next year, will the resources be able to handle it? Higher demand for goods and services normally means more workers and a bigger office. For websites, it means greater bandwidth.
An experienced service provider can make a lot of difference in future-proofing servers. They can help discuss options to minimize the hassle later on.
Backup Services
Why is it important? It’s part of disaster planning that allows data recovery should the main server fail.
A backup usually takes place unnoticed in the background. But it’s actually one of the most important things that everyone should look for. Should the main hard drive fail to restore data, the backup is the only thing preventing data loss.
Examine backup protocols. Do they back up all data in real time? Do they have backup hardware? How do they back up the data?
If the information is only stored digitally, not having backups can mean losing them forever. Consider this in determining which approach to backup storage works best.
Wrapping Up the Discussion
For high-traffic websites that have more complicated requirements, dedicated hosting is a superb option. The level of flexibility, control, performance, and security here is better than its shared counterpart.
But not everyone needs a dedicated server, meaning that for smaller companies it may not be the right choice. Assess all options based on the five factors above to take advantage of what this upgraded hosting has to offer your business.
