Before you make the jump up to a dedicated server, it is important to consider your decision carefully. Not only should you account for your website’s current needs, but also try to anticipate any future needs as well. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of downtime, network issues, or other server problems you might encounter down the road. Ask yourself these six questions before you choose a dedicated server to determine that it is the right choice for you.
1. What Will You Need A Dedicated Server For?
This is the most basic question you should consider first. A dedicated server means you are getting the entire resources of the server to yourself. You’ll get faster loading times, better security, almost no downtime, and a completely customized experience. For example, if you need a specific operating system for your website, then dedicated hosting might be right for you.
Of course, you are getting more resources for all of these extra features, which is why it can be more difficult to find cheap dedicated server hosting.
2. What Are Your Site’s Bandwidth Requirements?
For larger sites that use a lot of resources, they will require more bandwidth. If you are sending a lot of multimedia files, you likely need more bandwidth then a simple, static website. For those who plan to use their dedicated server for mission-critical storage or application, more bandwidth is likely necessary as well. Access your needs before you commit to a dedicated server.
3. What Are Your Security Concerns?
The reason why dedicated hosting is often considered the best is due to the high-security measures in place. For sites that hold private or sensitive data, then a dedicated server is a better option.
For a dedicated server, you can set up our own virtual private network (VPN), protections against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and firewalls.
4. Managed or Unmanaged? How Much Help Will You Need?
You can choose between managed and unmanaged dedicated servers. An unmanaged plan means you will handle every aspect of the server, from the updates to the security to the overall maintenance. If you already have an IT team in place with technical skills, this might be the best option for you.
However, some people choose to outsource the maintenance of their website. Even if they do have the skills, they might not have the time or resources to do it themselves. That’s why choosing a managed hosting provider is a popular choice for many. It takes the strain off the workers and allows them to concentrate on other tasks within the business or website.
If you do choose a managed dedicated hosting plan, select a provider that has 24/7/365 support. With a dedicated server, you are not sharing your assets with anyone else, but if your server does fail for some reason, you’ll have no backup. If that is the case, ensure that any problems can get resolved immediately, and your server isn’t down for longer periods of time.
5. How Redundant Is the Infrastructure
As we mentioned, you want to ensure that if something does go wrong with the server, the problem is minimized as much as possible. For example, if there is a power outage, will your server go down? Therefore, the provider that is housing your server is taking precautions to ensure that they are protected against power outages. As if they have Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), power generators, and Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS).
You can ask your dedicated server provider about the uptime history and what the past few months have looked like. You don’t want to want the storage of your data with a hosting provider that has unreliable power equipment.
6. What is Your Budget?
Another big consideration is your financial constraints. Because you are getting the entire resources of the server directed towards your website, it means that it is much more expensive than other types of hosting plans. Cheap dedicated hosting is possible to find, but make sure to thoroughly vet your hosting provider before you commit to a long-term plan. After all, your dedicated server will house all your sensitive data and your website, so you’ll want to find a hosting provider that is reliable and secure, as well as within your budget.
How To Choose the Best Dedicated Server
Before you make your decision, read reviews of past customers to see what they have to say about the services. You can also reach out to customer support to see how knowledgeable and responsive they are to your inquiry. Remember to take into consideration your future needs as well to make sure you can scale up or down if you decide to down the road. Upgrading to a dedicated server is a big commitment, so take the time to research to ensure you are selecting the best dedicated hosting plan for you.
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