A dedicated server is a big investment for your business, but one that will pay off in the long run. Increased speed, security, and performance will not only make your website more user-friendly but will lead to more conversions and greater sales. In this article, we will explore dedicated server costs and discuss how to find a server that is right for you at an affordable price.
Topics Include:
- Do You Need a Dedicated Server?
- Features to Look For in a Dedicated Server
- How Much Does a Dedicated Server Cost?
- Unmetered Dedicated Servers
- Summary
Do You Need a Dedicated Server?
Think a dedicated server sounds great, but still not sure that you need one? Consider this:
- Traffic Volume: If your business has grown to the point (or you expect it to grow to the point) where you regularly see numbers in the six figures, you should consider a dedicated server. Without the proper foundation, high volumes of traffic can cause disastrous service outages.
- Page Load Times: When it comes to Internet users, they want things to happen fast. In fact, you only have about 2.6 seconds to make an impression. That means that if your page doesn’t load in that time, the visitor is going to hit the back button and go somewhere else. When there are a large number of sites sharing the same resources, it can slow everything down. You can avoid this issue by moving to a dedicated server, where the resources are yours alone.
- Increased Security: It is true that you are vulnerable to malicious users and hackers on any type of server. However, your website is much safer on a dedicated server.
Think of it like this: If you stayed inside your house all the time and never had contact with other people, how often would you get sick? Not very often, right?
It is still possible, of course, but not likely. And worst-case scenario, if your site does become infected, it’s easier to fix and easier to figure out where the issue arose.
While that may sound like a big investment (and it is!), it is 100% worth it – especially if you run a high-traffic website. The upgrades in performance, security, and customization mean it will pay for itself.
Features to Look For in a Dedicated Server
Knowing that you need a dedicated server is one thing. Signing up for the right plan is quite another. Before you choose a hosting provider, make sure they offer the following:
- Guaranteed Uptime: Imagine if a visitor arrived on your website only to find that it wouldn’t load. Depending on your business, that could mean a lot of money lost. Most hosting companies today offer an uptime of at least 99.5% – but for a dedicated server, that number should be even higher.
- Customization: One of the best parts of having dedicated server hosting is the ability to customize the server in virtually any way you want. Find out if your provider will let you choose an operating system, allocate space as you wish, or add custom software and apps. Sometimes, hosting services will sell “private” servers that are actually still shared with other people – not being able to customize is a big red flag that this is the case.
- Security: As a whole, dedicated servers are inherently more secure than both shared servers and VPS – but that doesn’t mean that they’re not vulnerable to hackers. Make sure your hosting service will provide security software including firewall configurations, malware protection, and more.
- Live Customer Support: When you’re paying top dollar for a premium service, you should also receive premium customer support. That means being able to call ANY time you have a problem and being able to speak to a live human being. Look for a hosting provider that guarantees 24/7 support, 365 days a year.
How Much Does a Dedicated Server Cost?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. How much a plan costs can vary greatly depending on both the provider and the specifications you require. In general, though, you can expect to pay $100 per month or more for a dedicated server.
Generally, the lower the prices, the fewer resources you will have at your disposal. As the cost of the plan goes up, so does available RAM and bandwidth.
The best dedicated server is one that starts with room for your current website and is able to grow with you. Look for a company that offers reasonable rates on a variety of plans.
Unmetered Dedicated Servers
If your website is growing at a significant rate, an unmetered dedicated server may be what you need. Data transfer can be costly if you exceed the allotted bandwidth. An unmetered server includes unlimited data transfer usage, so that may be your most cost-effective solution.
If this concept is new to you, don’t worry. We’ll help by answering some frequently asked questions.
What are Unmetered Dedicated Servers?
A hosting company will typically charge for data transfer in one of two ways. They either charge by the bandwidth used or they’ll charge a flat fee to cover all bandwidth usage.
The hosting plan which charges based on bandwidth used is typically a shared service where several servers share one connection. The speed of that service will be split among those servers. Therefore, when you exceed your limit, it can bog down others (and vice versa). This type of connection is typically more affordable, but your limits come with penalties if they are exceeded.
An unmetered server, on the other hand, is a dedicated connection. There is nominal downtime, improved security, and it allows for faster downloads of your website.
Summary
If you’ve had performance issues in the past, it’s likely your site has grown too large for its current hosting company. A dedicated server for dedicated hosting will equip your site with unparalleled performance, guaranteeing the best customer experience possible.
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