Cloud vs. Server Hosting: What’s the Best Choice for Your Business?

Your customers will only wait a few seconds for your website to load. The average page visit is less than one minute!

If your website isn’t quite cutting it, it’s time to rethink your hosting strategy. As you start to look into your options, you’ll note two choices that come up often: cloud and server hosting.

So which of these options is your best bet? Keep reading to find out as we outline the cloud vs server hosting debate.

What are Cloud Servers?

In the last several years, you’ve no doubt heard a ton of buzz about the cloud. However, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the cloud.

Cloud servers store your data on a server, along with other users’ data. Each time you access your information via the cloud, your server boots up a virtualized version of a server, granting you access to any data you may have secured through your account.

In this instance, you’re also sharing a server with other people. In most cases, cloud hosts will store your information on several different servers instead of a single server as it allows them to take on more users’ info.

In short, you’re emulating the actions of a physical server through digital means, which somewhat illustrates the importance of server virtualization.

What is a Dedicated Server?

In contrast, dedicated servers place all of your data on a single, physical server. You can store your server off-site or have it on-hand for easy access.

Since you’re not sharing the space with other users, you can pull data faster and store more info on your server. Anything that’s stored of your server belongs to you and you alone.

Factors to Consider

So which is the best option for your business? It depends on your site’s size and needs.

If you’re a larger company, your best bet is to go dedicated. Dedicated servers allow you to customize your server specs to your liking, allowing your site to load faster.

You’ll also have a ton more storage space. It isn’t uncommon to find dedicated servers with as much as 100 terabytes.

Smaller companies may not have the budget or storage space for a dedicated server. As such, most small businesses can get away with using a cloud service.

Your site will still load quickly, and you can go in and tinker with your settings at will. Plus, you’ll end up saving money since you’re not paying for hardware.

Cloud vs Server: Who Wins?

So, once and for all, let’s settle the debate: cloud vs server.

Again, it’s hard to say without knowing a business’s exact needs. It comes down to how much money you’re willing to spend on your site’s performance.

If money is your primary concern, a cloud server is your best bet. However, if you can afford it, a dedicated server is going to be a faster, more reliable option in the long run.

As you mull over your options with your IT team, remember what you’ve learned today. And if you have any other questions about business infrastructure or technology, make sure to check back with our blog.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.