Having a dedicated server means it is reserved solely for your company – you won’t be sharing it with anybody else. It’s probably the most expensive type of hosting out there, yet it’s extremely popular amongst business owners who value privacy and functionality above all.
Even though having a dedicated server is incredibly desirable, not everyone’s capable of financing it. If you’d like to continue using your server but you’re not sure if you can keep up with the costs, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we give you the top 6 ways to cut your dedicated server expenses as quickly as possible.
So, without any further ado, let’s get right to the bottom of it!
1. Switch to an unmanaged server
Source: cloudoye.com
Managed servers are probably the most expensive option out there. You’re not only paying for using the server, but you’re also paying for its maintenance. If you already have someone on your team who’s knowledgeable enough to handle server management, there’s no reason for you to pay for a managed server.
As a rule, you should always pick unmanaged dedicated servers if you’re planning on saving money. The only situation in which you should pick the managed solution is if you’re unable to do this yourself.
Overall, if you’re currently using a managed server but you’re perfectly capable of managing it yourself, it’s time to switch things up. This could lower your costs by up to 20%, depending on your specific needs and requirements.
2. Linux over Windows
We get it – Windows is the default system we’re all used to seeing in our daily life. Using it when you rent a server may seem like an obvious choice. However, if your goal is to lower your costs, you’ll be better off using Linux. It’s an open-source operating system which means it’s completely free, unlike Windows which comes with an extra price.
If you’ve never used Linux, though, perhaps you should try it out before you rent your server. It’s not nearly as intuitive as Windows, which can be quite confusing for the less tech-savvy users.
Either way, your OS impacts the price of your server in a major way. Linux is always the cheaper option, so don’t hesitate to go for it if you’re proficient with it already.
3. Set clear goals
Source: itproportal.com
Make sure you plan your costs for the long-term – it’s one of the most crucial aspects of running a successful business. Frequent updates and changes to your dedicated server will drain your finances over time. It’s important to plan everything ahead so you don’t end up spending more than you’ve originally planned. Where will your business be in a year? Two years? As noted at evoluso.com, setting a good technical foundation for your business is of the utmost importance.
Again, if you don’t have a sound plan ready, you’re likely to encounter some expenses that would’ve been perfectly avoidable. So, again, always keep the long-term goals of your company in mind, no matter how small it is at the current moment. With the right tech, you might experience sudden growth that will require system updates that are out of your reach. Don’t let this happen by planning everything ahead.
4. Consult with an industry professional
Choosing the right provider is as important as the quality of your server. If you’re new to the industry, don’t hesitate to consult with an IT professional who can help you find the right solution for your business needs. In this way, you’ll avoid paying for features you’ll never even use, which can cut your costs in a major way.
Similarly, when choosing your provider, make sure they offer quality technical support, especially if you still don’t have the finances to manage your servers in-house. They should be well-reviewed, experienced, and capable of fulfilling your specific needs and requirements. Don’t hesitate to ask them as many questions as you need before you make your decision.
Either way, consulting with an industry professional can help you choose a plan that best suits your needs. This, in turn, will help you avoid paying for features you don’t need.
5. Consider cloud computing
Source: marconet.com
Small business owners are often wary of cloud technology – but it’s perhaps the cheapest way of handling your company servers. We advise you to look into different cloud-based solutions to check whether something similar suits your business well enough. Don’t dismiss it until you’ve learned more about it, especially when it comes to pricing!
Overall, switching to a cloud-based solution can be one of the best choices you’ve ever made for your business – as long as you do it wisely. As we’ve already mentioned before, one of the best ways to go about it is to seek advice from an industry professional.
6. Make sure you have access to technical support at all times
We’ve briefly mentioned this before, but we need to say it again – having access to quality customer support services is of the utmost importance when it comes to dedicated servers. No matter how excellent your servers are, sometimes issues will arise. If you’re not able to resolve this by yourself, your only option will be to rely on your provider’s support services.
They should be quick to respond at all times – otherwise, your daily operations can be interrupted and slowed down. All of this can affect your business in a negative way. In other words, you’ll be losing money. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s an expense that’s always better avoided, so make sure you choose your providers as carefully as possible.
The bottom line
All in all, reducing your dedicated server expenses can be a daunting task, especially if you’re running a growing business. However, it’s something that can be done with some guidance.
In this article, we’ve listed some of the best ways you can cut your server costs. We hope you found it to be useful and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
