Cloud servers are an essential technology for growing small businesses. More and more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are shifting from on-premise services to cloud-based solutions. This article will discuss how to choose the best cloud computing solutions and analyzes the benefits of adopting a cloud-based server for small businesses.
What Is a Cloud Server?
A Cloud server is a virtual server that provides computing services over the internet. Similar to a traditional server, a cloud server provides various services such as processing power, data storage, and transferring files. However, unlike traditional servers, cloud servers can be accessed remotely and are scalable. Cloud servers are also cost-efficient in comparison to physical alternatives.
This article focuses on how a cloud server works and what benefits it brings to a company.
What a Server Does for a Small Business
A server is an essential requirement of any business. Servers can be used to store data, transfer files, and process software. Different servers can also be used to monitor other servers and connect clients creating a local network. There are various reasons for using a server and any small business has at least a few of them.
Some small businesses may only need a server to store and change their financial statements while others may need them to store all their customer’s data. Either way, every business of any size has some sort of server usage.
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Do Small Businesses Need a Server?
Simply put, yes. If your small business is dealing with any sort of data, needs to process applications and software, has processes that need to be monitored, requires files to be transferred between users, or has documents that are modified by multiple employees, it also needs a server. A server is an essential part of any sort of network. Servers introduce various features and abilities to businesses.
How Cloud Computing Works for Startups
Cloud computing is beneficial for small businesses since it saves money and time by promoting innovation, increasing productivity, and improving collaboration. With cloud storage, you can access your data and service from anywhere in the world. Cloud computing offers remote working capacity by eliminating physical barriers and automatically syncing files between every device. Cloud servers are cost-effective solutions. Using the cloud to save sensitive and essential data, small businesses’ vital files are secured, even if their hardware fails.
Also read 5 Cloud Solutions that Work Miracle for Small Businesses
Cost of a Cloud Server for Small Business
Cloud servers are cheaper than traditional servers. Traditional servers have a huge initial cost, as the hardware is very expensive. Cloud computing prices start at €5.00/month and increase with your resources, while a physical server costs over €1500. Furthermore, businesses need to employ IT specialists to manage and maintain these servers for them. Traditional servers are not suggested to small businesses that have limited budgets.
On the contrary, cloud servers can provide all the resources you need with a significantly cheaper solution. These servers do not have initial expenses and you can pay only for the resources you use. The pay-as-you-go billing system allows you to keep your market liquidity. Furthermore, with cloud computing services, you would not need to invest in server maintenance and you can simply manage your resources through the service provider’s user panel.
How to Choose the Best Cloud Server for a Startup
A suitable cloud server satisfies all the requirements of a business. If you own a small business looking to use the benefits of cloud computing, here you can find the most important requirements of a cloud server.
Cloud Computing Requirements
To find the most suitable server, a small business must know its requirements. Cloud server providers offer various cloud services that include cloud storage, processing power, and more. Therefore, if you do not know what you are looking for, you will be unable to choose a fitting cloud server provider.
Furthermore, a scalable cloud server is designed to be expandable to the growing size and needs of businesses, making it a dynamic option for their early stages. Make sure that the cloud service provider offers instant scalability and adjustable resources.
Location and Security of Servers
Since cloud servers are vulnerable to physical threats, the security and location of cloud servers are impactful on decision-making. A suitable cloud server should guarantee the security of your data and protect it against Cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and data theft attempts.
When choosing a cloud computing service provider, always ask about their security measures and how they deal with threats to the server.
Online Safety
One of the major factors in choosing a cloud server is online security. To protect the data in the cloud and to prevent malicious attacks, cloud computing solution providers use several security tools and their equipment is updated regularly. Cloud computing service providers should offer secure cloud servers for small businesses.
To choose a cloud server, check out the security measures such as firewalls, data encryption, anti-virus, user verification methods, and daily security audits. Also, look for security certificates as some certificates validate these measures.
Pricing
Another major factor in choosing the best-suiting cloud service for your business is the cloud server pricing and payment method. It is not solely the amount of money you pay that matters, but rather what you are paying for. The best cloud computing service providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing systems, allowing you to pay only for the resources you use. These services are usually billed monthly, semi-annually, or annually.
Downtime History
Simply put, downtime is when services are not effectively accessible to customers. No cloud provider can claim it will not face downtime. Even the biggest vendors witness downtime on occasion. Since choosing the best cloud servers for small businesses can be disruptive in some cases, it is better to opt for cloud providers that have fewer downtime possibilities.
When downtime occurs, good firms take a transparent and public measure of the incident. Therefore, it is better to choose providers that write their downtime records logs. If they do not give these records on their websites, always ask them for downtime history logs.
Adjustment
While a small business is growing, its cloud server requirements will expand as well. To choose the best cloud service for small businesses, make sure what added capacity is offered and what the costs are. An ideal provider will get a reasonable per unit basis as a business expands.
Access
Accessibility of resources and services is an effective factor in choosing a cloud server. You should be able to access your data whenever, wherever. Additionally, it is best to ensure that the provider’s website or software is compatible with all devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops.
Client-Server Services
To select the best cloud server for small businesses, always look for an efficient and available support system. It is good to have access to constant customer support, even on holidays. Some cloud service providers have free customer support while others may charge different fees.
The average response time and resolution time determine the quality of these services. You should also check whether the support offered by the support team is informative and thorough.
The Best Cloud Server for Small Businesses
Among many cloud servers available, some offer more flexible resources that will fit any business’s requirements. To choose which cloud provider is best for you, you must know about your business’s distinctive requirements. Here, we introduce you to some of the best cloud servers for your small business and how to set up a cloud server for small businesses.
Cloud Server for Law Firm
Following the cloud migration trend, law firms are also transferring their infrastructure from on-premise servers to cloud computing services. Law firms need to deal with a lot of personal and sensitive information from their clients. These data need to be archived and secured but still, be accessible to the firm’s employees. Furthermore, the firm may need to set different access levels for different employees. Lastly, cloud computing usually costs less than on-premise servers.
Cloud servers for law firms should provide the security of data and accessibility. Best Cloud computing service providers offer remote access to employees and include disaster recovery plans for your data. Cloud servers have scalable resources that will always support your required data.
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Best Cloud Server for SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises need servers just as every business does. Depending on your business’s area of work, you might need data storage, regular backups, file transfers, and much more. The cloud computing service provider must guarantee the security and accessibility of your data. To set up a cloud server for your SME, you should know the requirements of your business.
ArvanCloud provides 8 CPU cores, 32 GB of RAM, and 300 GB of SSD for only €88 a month.
ArvanCloud’s professional consulting team can help you determine what resources you will need and how to set up the most cost-efficient cloud server for your SME business.
Cloud Server for Startups
Start-up companies require an instantly scalable infrastructure. These types of companies usually have lower budgets and are growing by the day; therefore, they need a cost-efficient yet effective solution. Cloud computing services resolve various needs of startup companies for a relatively low cost.
Cloud Server for Personal Use
Even if you do not own an enterprise and do not have any employees, you may need cloud servers for various reasons. You may need a server to run your software and host your website, a space to save your files and store your backups, and a way to make sure your data are secure.
Since purchasing and maintaining an on-premise server is costly and time-consuming, cloud computing is usually suggested for personal usage. Cloud computing services save you time and money by resolving your fundamental infrastructural requirements.
Start using ArvanCloud’s cloud computing services for only €5 a month.
After choosing a cloud computing service provider to use, you can visit their website to sign-up and create a server. There, you can determine your required resources and preferences.
Sign-up and set up an ArvanCloud Cloud Server with a few clicks.
