No matter the size of your business, affordability is important when you’re selecting any product or service, and web hosting is no different. However, because your hosting plan ensures that your website remains accessible to customers and other users, you can’t afford to skimp. The key is to find a solution that will deliver the best overall value and return on investment (ROI).
By having a better idea of what your hosting options are, and which provide the best value for your money, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you’re getting the greatest speed, reliability, and security without spending more than you need to.
The Different Types of Hosting
It’s best to begin your search by understanding the two primary types of hosting that are used by businesses of all sizes: shared (or cloud) hosting and dedicated server hosting. Let’s take a closer look at each option:
Shared/Cloud Hosting
As the name implies, a shared host is one that you share with other users. This could be other business owners who need web hosting, gamers, or even individuals using the server to host their email account. Either way, a shared or cloud hosting service tends to be the more affordable option because you’re splitting the costs with other users. However, this also means that your site might have to “fight” for the resources (bandwidth, memory, etc.) it needs to run smoothly.
Dedicated Hosting
With a dedicated server, on the other hand, you aren’t sharing any resources with other users. Instead, you pay for 100 percent of your hosting and receive exactly what you pay for. As you can probably imagine, dedicated servers do tend to be a bit more expensive up-front because you won’t be splitting the costs with anyone else. However, many growing businesses find that they enjoy the best ROI with this option.
Also read: The Best Tower Server for Small Business
Dedicated Hosting ROI
There are many ways in which spending a little more on dedicated hosting can be sensible for growing businesses. Here are just a few of the main benefits of using a dedicated server:
Increased Speeds
Because your site won’t be sharing any bandwidth with other users, you may find that your overall page-loading times and site speeds improve with dedicated hosting. This results in a better user experience for your visitors, who won’t be frustrated by slow loading web pages. A faster website can also improve your search engine rankings, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Reduced Downtime
Unexpected website downtime can cost your business hundreds or even thousands of dollars. With a dedicated server, you can enjoy greater reliability and a very small chance of unplanned downtime. Many dedicated server hosts offer a 100 percent uptime guarantee on their hosting services and provide 24/7 support. That way, even if there is an issue with your server, you can have it resolved and get your website back up and running in no time.
Greater Overall Security
Data breaches and other security issues can wreak havoc on businesses of all sizes. Therefore, it’s best to do everything you can to ensure your data remains safe online. Dedicated servers offer unparalleled security features, such as encryption and data backups. Many server hosts also provide DDoS protection to help prevent cybercriminals from flooding your site with fake traffic.
Time to Make the Switch to Dedicated Hosting?
While dedicated hosting may cost you a bit more up-front, the ROI that you’ll enjoy with better speeds, enhanced security, and improved reliability make it worth the initial expense. If you’re still using a shared or cloud web host, now may be the right time to upgrade to a dedicated hosting plan!
