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