So you have finally decided to ditch the slow shared server for a dedicated one? You have made the right choice. Having a dedicated server undoubtedly is a sure bet for a highly secure, reliable, and well-performing website and you can finally bid bye to slow website or crashes. However, a dedicated server is a huge investment for many companies and one that will require you to do some homework before taking the plunge. Hence, we have put together essential factors to consider before choosing a dedicated server.
What are your business requirements?
When it comes to hosting services, one size doesn’t fit all. This means all businesses are not the same and you cannot opt for a hosting service because your business colleague is using the same. Therefore, before making any commitment, consider your requirement. What is the performance you expect? What are the services you want to provide with your server? Are you anticipating huge traffic on your website?
Understanding these will give you an insight into the quality of hardware you need in terms of processor, CPU, storage, and other server’s cores. A business needs to operate as smoothly as possible, and it is only logical to know your needs in order to know the type of performance to expect and the hardware to go for. If you don’t know how to go about it, your web hosting provider should be of help in choosing the right one for your needs.
Do you need a managed or unmanaged server?
Before signing in for a dedicated server, it is also important to know if you want a managed or unmanaged service. On a managed dedicated server plan, the web hosting provider is vested with the responsibility of taking care of all the entire infrastructure. They ensure it is functioning smoothly and perfectly, conduct private security updates and ensure an overall high level of support while you focus on another core aspect of your business.
For unmanaged service, the configurations, security., settings, and other aspects are all other your full control. The web host is not responsible for server management nor any security vulnerabilities that might occur. If you are going for an unmanaged plan, you need to analyze how well you can self-manage a server. Or you can get a dedicated in-house team of IT professionals.
What is the quality of support you expect?
If you are going for a managed service, then, what kind of support do you expect from your web host? This is one very vital factor yet mostly ignored. Anything can go wrong with servers that can lead to server crashes at any time. But when you have a dedicated team at your beck and call, you can save yourself from any risk that might occur. How reliable is your provider? Can they offer uninterrupted connectivity with ample useful features? Are they available for a dedicated time or they offer 24/7 support? Are they only phone calls away in case issues arise or they are difficult to reach?
These and many more are questions to ask a potential web host before making a selection decision. You don’t want your website coming to a sudden halt as a result of technical issues. Worse still, with no expert in view to help save from crisis.
How much bandwidth do you need for the website?
Bandwidth is another thing that will greatly influence your website performance. That is why it is important to consider the bandwidth and load times when choosing a dedicated server. The bandwidth lies heavily in the amount of traffic.
For instance, an eCommerce store is bound to have voluminous traffic and might require more bandwidth and high connection speed. The point is you do not want to pay for more than you need neither do you want to turn customers away because of low performing website. Therefore, it is important to anticipate your bandwidth needs. Moreover, you want a server that is scalable that will give room for growth as your traffic and business grows.
What is your budget
A dedicated server is a more preferable but expensive option. That is why you need to consider your budget when going for one. Some companies might try to entice you with features that come with huge price tags, only to leave you hanging when their support is needed. Therefore, research on the various dedicated server hosting services in order to make the right decision. Check out the hosting pricing, plans, and other things they have to offer. Also, consider the monthly fee, and maintenance costs, and other underlying costs. You want the best-dedicated server yet, it doesn’t need to hamper your revenues.
Conclusion
A dedicated server is what businesses need for a seamless operation. How to choose the dedicated server might seem like a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be when you partner with the best web hosting provider to provide the right solution that will set you up for success.
