Blog provided by Rack Alley

Colocation and dedicated servers are both effective alternatives to the standard model of shared web hosting servers, but which of these options is best for you? The answer is that it depends on your needs, level of technical expertise, and what you’re willing to pay for hosting services.

Colocation’s model is based on allowing you to set up a custom set of server equipment in a data center. You have complete control over your software and hardware, but you’ll also be in charge of maintaining and upgrading it. This is ideal if your website is highly technical and you have personnel with the skills to customize your equipment to support your website’s specifications. However, if your website doesn’t require this sort of specialized knowledge, you’ll have an easier time hosting it on a dedicated server, because you won’t have to spend so much time doing maintenance on your equipment.

Dedicated servers give you access to large amounts of server space and security, but you’ll be using your provider’s server hardware rather than your own. If you don’t need a server customized for your specific needs, dedicated hosting is more hassle-free, leaving you with more time to do other important tasks for your business. Though dedicated servers might have lower upfront costs than colocation, their monthly fees can get a bit pricey, so don’t choose this option unless you know your budget can handle it.

If you’re still undecided, you can talk to one of the experts at Rack Alley, the preeminent provider of LA colocation and dedicated servers to the Southern California area.