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Finding the right web host can be just the savings your IT budget needs, but why should you be looking into this opportunity and how can you best take advantage of it? It’s actually very simple…
In the beginning, companies relied on their local IT department to develop and maintain servers for their website and ordering needs. There are many costs incurred by this older approach. The initial cost of server hardware is just the down payment. Other business costs include site maintenance and constant upgrades, along with taking up a large portion of your power bill. You may even have hired a dedicated full-time team just for server maintenance when your business was particularly flush. Now the time has come to look for new ideas and increase reliability while decreasing costs.
An online presence is the backbone of any modern business; with a hosting service you are always online and customer-facing. Having an off-site host keeps your business on the forefront no matter what occurs. No longer are your earnings hampered by moving or long-term power outages. Every business faces bumps in the road, but there’s no reason to let that show to your potential clients.
Offerings from top tier providers will often include unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, email hosting and other domain services. However, when looking for a web hosting company, there are several things you should consider and discuss with your IT department or web design team. Is your website compatible with their offerings? For example, does your website require special scripts? Can the host offer the proper size and volume you need for your business? Do you require dedicated hosting or can you get away with sharing your server with other small needs businesses? Lastly, make sure the company offers up time guarantees so you are always on.
In conclusion, finding the right hosting is a balancing act between price, offerings and service level. Changing to a hosting service can be cost effective, easier and better maintained. A dedicated server plan from the right company is every bit as controlled and reliable as local hosting, if not more so. The savings in personnel, hardware, network usage and power consumption are just the beginning. Do the research and I’m sure you’ll agree that off-site web hosting is a great cost cutting measure for your business.Customer service is the barometer by which you should judge any provider. You can pay for all the hosting and space you’ll ever need, but efficient communication is a key component. Look for providers who offer 24/7 service and have e-mail and phone support available. This is where a little research on your team’s part could go a long way. Luckily, we have an open forum for discussion on the internet. Scour the web for reviews, both positive and negative. Consider the size of your business in comparison to these reviews and weigh your options accordingly. One glowing (or less than stellar) review shouldn’t affect your taste for a provider, but a pattern of behaviours can be established from a handful.
Article inspired by Ninefold
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