subject: Should You Use a Colocation Service For Your Small Business Web Hosting? [print this page] Should You Use a Colocation Service For Your Small Business Web Hosting?
If you are considering using colocation for your web hosting, there are some factors to know before taking the plunge into this unique website hosting option. Colocation is not a perfect fit for everyone. If you are a very small business with limited funds, then using a colocation service will probably not be needed.
Are you a developing small business that needs more dependable web hosting?
Colocation has more features than your standard web hosting. It also costs more, and it isn't the ideal solution for every company. However, if you are a growing small business who's needs are not being met by your current web host, then the extra cost for colocation may be worthwhile. Additionally, if you've been having issues with reliability and speed, then you may need the bulked out strength that a colocation hosting service can provide.
Are you in a metropolitan area?
Colocation is not always available in smaller cities and non-urban areas because it is not needed or desired. It will be more fitting to you if you can find a facility that is close to your company's office or your place of operation, because you will occasionally need to upgrade your server.
You have the ability and the need to maintain your own servers.
When you own your own servers and use colocation, you will be able to make upgrades as needed. This can be convenient because you are not at the whims of another company for this process.
More reliability, more speed, more security?
If you choose to host your servers at a colocation facility, then you probably won't ever have to deal with your web sites going down due to power outages, etc. This is because colocation providers are equipped with backup power generators and are ready to handle power issues. They plan for these types of problems. You get more speed because you have your own dedicated servers hosted at a dedicated facility. If you need faster services, you upgrade your servers yourself. If you need better software, you upgrade it yourself. You don't have to suffer the inconvenience of waiting for a company to get around to it. You also get more security. Colocation facilities are more reliable and are set up and maintained at high standards of security. These facilities exist to make your operations run as smoothly and hassle-free as possible.
Other Important factors to consider:
If you move to another part of your city or to another city altogether, you will have to physically move your servers to another colocation provider, which may cause inconvenience. You should be prepared for fluctuating costs when hosting your own server at a colocation provider. You will not usually be charged a flat rate. Your rates will depend on how much data has been transferred over your server during each billing cycle. But if your business has been growing and you need the extra speed and reliability that you get when you use colocation, then you should strongly consider it.
