Forget shared hosting. A dedicated server means complete access to exclusive use. You don’t have to share RAM, CPU time, or bandwidth, and that translates to enterprise-level stability. This is the same setup that Apple, Google, and Microsoft use to host their applications. However, web hosting and email hosting are not the same thing. You might want to check out ServerMania for more info on dedicated email hosting. Or read on if you’re looking for a web hosting solution.
What Is a Dedicated Web Hosting Server?
A dedicated web hosting server is the next step a company takes after outgrowing shared hosting. Think of it as having a bigger and better customer support team that serves millions of clients simultaneously, with zero waiting time. You also get to install your own scripts and control who sees the internal operations of your business. Call it the NFL league of hosting, if you may.
Shared web hosting may seem like amazing value for a couple of dollars a month, but they don’t always live up to expectations. For example, if another site gets a huge spike in traffic, the remaining websites will experience slow load speeds, and some of them won’t load at all. Upgrading to a dedicated web host should solve this problem. However, you will need knowledgeable staff to make this work.
Examples of Reliable Dedicated Hosting Companies
ServerMania: This one might not be a household name, but it’s one of the best dedicated hosting providers right now. You get a wide range of scalable hosting solutions, ranging from small hybrid servers to enterprise-level operations. And the entire thing is supported by a knowledgeable team 24/7.
InMotion: Another great dedicated web hosting service that offers options for managed and unmanaged hosting. All their servers are on a Tier-1 network, meaning they provide multi-layer security for your applications along with rebootless upgrades. However, people say this provider is only suited for tech-savvy people, especially if you want to go unmanaged.
Hostwinds: This is a feature-rich dedicated hosting provider with extremely configurable storage. Most of their servers feature four drive bays fitted with 120GB to 1TB SSD drives. Their pricing is fair compared to other options on this list, and they are super honest too.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Company
Ideally, you want a host offering sufficient storage for your files. 1TB or higher should be fine, and you also get to chose between Solid State Drives (SSD) and traditional SATA drives. SSDs offer truly blazing speed, but they are not necessary for smooth operation. They are also expensive to rent compared to SATA drives. So, you might want to go with several SATA HDDs if your speed requirements are not too high.
RAM, customer service, and data caps are also essential factors to consider. You want at least 5GB RAM and a data transfer offering of 16Gb or more. Some dedicated hosting providers like to throw “unlimited hosting” into their marketing copy, but it’s important to ask what they mean by that. You also want a provider who backs up your data automatically, just in case the worst happens.
SSL is another crucial thing to have these days. This technology encrypts communication between users and your servers, blocking out anyone trying to intercept the communication. This feature is particularly important for eCommerce applications where people need to enter their financial details. Some hosting companies will charge you more than $100 for SSL, while others offer it for free. Choose wisely.
Uptime and downtime are crucial factors to consider when choosing a host. And, you don’t always get this information until you’re in too deep. Still, people have tested various dedicated hosting providers and said uptime is almost consistent. Every hosting provider knows their reputation depends on it, so they always try to overdeliver on that front.
You’ll Get What You Pay For
Dedicated web hosting is a great way for companies to increase their online capabilities by accepting more online visitors. It gives you peace of mind and reliability that you can’t get with shared hosting. Yes, you will have to pay more and even hire an expensive techie to set up and manage the web application, but the results are worth it.
Also, read the fine print carefully before committing to any service. That’s because many hosting providers try to trick clients into accepting unfavorable terms. And you might end up paying more than the advertised amount to get decent service.