Forget the Cloud! What a Small Business Server Can Do for Your Business
Almost every business uses at least one cloud-based solution. Most companies work in five clouds or more.
With all of the hype around cloud computing, we’re seeing small and medium-sized businesses become progressively disinterested in hosting local servers on their property. We’re not so sure that’s a positive trend.
While cloud computing is great because it outsources your data needs to a 3rd party, that advantage can also prove to be a disadvantage, particularly as your company scales.
Below, we share a few reasons why investing in a small business server is a great idea, even in today’s cloud-centric market.
1. You Can Be Your Own Web Host
The majority of business owners that have a website use external web hosts to house and manage their site’s day-to-day operations in exchange for a monthly fee. We’re willing to bet that you’ve run into more than one problem with that arrangement.
Web hosts are notorious for their tricky pricing, intermittent slowdowns and horrendous customer service.
If you have a small business server, you can host your own website locally and will be able to self-manage the aspects of your site that mean the most to you and your customers.
2. Data Security on Your Terms
Data breaches cost the average business owner close to $4 million in damages. Given that steep price tag, do you really want to entrust all of your customer’s data to an external vendor?
While some 3rd party cloud companies take care of the information that means the most to you, others don’t. The best way to make 100% sure that the best security protocols are being followed when handling the data that matters most to you, hosting your information on your own small business server is the way to go.
3. Local Backups of Files
If a hacker accessed to your website tomorrow and deleted it, what would you do? Would you go to your web host and ask if they have a backup of your site?
We’re sorry to say that their answer would almost certainly be no.
With a small business server in place, you can house backups of your website and other meaningful files. That way, when catastrophe strikes, a solution will literally be just up the hall in your server closet.
4. Savings on Cloud Subscriptions
When you buy a server, you pay for it upfront and beyond electricity, there are no additional expenses involved. Compare that to how much you’re paying for the 5+ cloud subscriptions that are billing you every month and you can see how a private server can save you a lot of money over the years.
5. It’s the First Step to Scaling
Big companies like Disney and Sony use local servers to house their data. They don’t trust their intellectual property and other important information to external vendors.
Buying a local server today is the first step to following in those successful organization’s footsteps.
Today it’ll be one server. Tomorrow you’ll be scaling up to buying two, three or more. Soon you’ll have to read this helpful article on colocation to keep all of your servers in order!
Bottom Line: It’s hard to scale around external vendors. It’s much easier to build around servers that you wholly own.
Get a Small Business Server and Get Growing
If you’re a die-hard cloud fan, we get that transitioning to a small business server might seem like a step in the wrong direction. All we ask is that you give local servers a try to see what they can do for you.
We have a feeling that after playing around with them, you’ll see why big businesses prefer to keep their data in-house.
For additional business tips that are relevant to people like you, check out more content on our blog!
