If you know that shared hosting won’t be enough to meet your website needs, cloud servers and dedicated servers are the nest best options.

Since the physical distance between the user and the server affects the website loading time, it’s better to choose the server near you. So, if, for example, you are working from Dallas, there are plenty of Dallas dedicated servers and cloud servers you can choose from.

However, in this article, we will explore what to pay attention to when choosing the server for your business.

Cloud server advantages

Cloud hosting implies that the data of your website is stored across multiple servers connected through a cloud.

Unlike Virtual Private Servers (VPSs), cloud servers are managed by vendors. So, no technical skills are required to start using cloud hosting.

There are several types of cloud servers, the main of which are public and private. With public cloud hosting, you’ll share the server’s resources with other users. With private cloud hosting, you get dedicated resources and the physical machine available and working only for you, which promotes a higher security level of your data.

If you know your website will hold significant traffic, private cloud solutions might be a better option.

There are reasons why people appreciate cloud hosting, among which the following are the most prominent:

  • Lower downtime probability. Since cloud hosting utilizes the power of multiple servers, even with technical difficulties with one server, others can pick up the load.
  • Scalability. Cloud hosting is easily scalable. This is particularly important for smaller organizations that are just at the beginning of their journeys – the scalability options allow them to save money by upgrading only when the need arises.
  • Cost efficiency. Cloud hosting allows saving money in different ways: there’s no need to maintain hardware since vendors handle it, there are hosting plans of varying price points, there’s minimal downtime (thus minimal probability of losing customers), and in case of any technical issues you don’t have to invest extra to revolve them since they will be on vendor’s part.
  • Easy collaboration. With cloud hosting, it is accessible to supply applications across your team and provides remote access to employees.

Cloud hosting is a flexible solution with vast scalability options most suitable for growing businesses.

Dedicated server advantages

With a dedicated server, a user gets complete access to and control over a physical server and receives the full scope of its resources. A hosting provider maintains the technical side of the server’s operation. However, you can add or customize hardware components that you deem necessary, as you have complete control over the software your server operates on.

The advantages of a dedicated server are hard to overlook, but they are essential to mention.

  • More reliable uptime. A dedicated server ensures that your website runs smoothly and error-free. Moreover, it can handle significant amounts of traffic without downgrading its performance. Data centers where your physical server is located ensure that even in cases of natural disasters or, for example, power outages, your server keeps working.
  • Strong security. If your business deals with sensitive data, a dedicated server would be a perfect option for you. Considering that a dedicated server innately offers a high level of security, you have the power to supplement it with additional security measures. Besides, the facilities where physical servers are stored are highly secured, often with armed guards and everything.
  • Dedicated resources. It might seem obvious, but it’s essential to understand that with a dedicated server, you get the power of CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth at your disposal.
  • High loading speed. Since website loading speed is one of the factors that determine the ranking on search engine platforms, having a fast-loading website is crucial for your business to grow. A dedicated server provides a high loading speed for your website and the website’s resource-demanding content like animations or videos.

Those are just a few of the advantages of a dedicated server.

Next, we will compare cloud and dedicated servers.

Comparing cloud and dedicated servers

Let’s jump straight ahead.

Cost

  • Cloud hosting allows you to gradually upscale and pay only for needed resources. However, it might take a lot of work to plan the budget with cloud hosting.
  • An upfront price for a dedicated server hosting option is higher. However, it is cost-effective since you get a range of resources and the ability to predict the load.

Maintenance

  • A hosting provider usually manages a cloud server.
  • A dedicated server should be managed by a user, which is an additional responsibility for some.

Security

  • With cloud hosting, security measures are the provider’s responsibility, but it generally uses standard security practices like data encryption, firewall, and backup. However, since cloud hosting can be public, there’s a higher probability of security threats.
  • With a dedicated server, the physical security of your server is on the provider, but the software component is on you, which you can customize. Since a dedicated server provides an isolated environment, the probability of outside security threats is reduced.

Customization

  • Cloud hosting offers limited customization options.
  • With a dedicated server, you can customize anything from hardware to software.

Which one to choose for your business?

The choice of a suitable server for your business depends on several factors:

  • Your business’s needs
  • The technical demands of your website
  • Your budget
  • Your technical skills (or whether you have a team of technicians) and your availability

Now, if your business is growing and you want to see where the road takes you, cloud hosting might be a good option for you, since you can upscale as you go. But if you already have an established business and a client base, it’s essential to provide an error-free user experience for customers. In this case, a dedicated server would be the option for you.

Similarly, if your website doesn’t have a lot of traffic, cloud hosting will do, but if it does, a dedicated server might be a better option to avoid complications.

If you’re on a budget, cloud hosting is a better alternative. But if you can afford to spend extra to power up your website, a dedicated server is an excellent option.

However, a dedicated server demands a level of responsibility from a user along with some technical skills to get by, so if your business doesn’t have a specialized team or you’re not ready to dive into the intricacies of setting up a server, cloud hosting might be a better option for you.