Cloud Servers for Small Business: What They Are and the Best Options to Choose

Cloud servers are virtual servers that run on cloud computing infrastructure, providing businesses with scalable and reliable computing resources. These servers can be accessed remotely over the internet, allowing small businesses to leverage the power of cloud computing for their operations.

With cloud servers, small businesses can enjoy increased flexibility, cost savings, and improved efficiency in managing their IT resources. Additionally, most cloud servers include enterprise-grade security features to protect sensitive business data. That is why cloud servers can be a good investment for a small business, as they are cost-effective while still providing enterprise-grade features.

So that’s a quick overview of what cloud servers are and how they can help your business. Now let’s continue to learn more about cloud servers and how they can help small businesses.

What Are Cloud Servers?

Cloud servers are essentially virtual computers that you can access over the internet instead of having a physical machine sitting in your office. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are some of the cloud service providers that deliver them.

Imagine a bunch of powerful computers all housed in a giant data centre somewhere.

Cloud servers carve off a chunk of those resources, including processing power, memory, and storage, and present them to you as a virtual server. This virtual server works just like a physical one you might keep in your office, but with some key advantages:

• On-demand scalability: Need more processing power for a big task? No problem, just spin up a bigger virtual server in the cloud. Don’t need those resources anymore? Shut down the server and stop paying for it.
• Cost-effective: You only pay for the resources you use, so cloud servers can be a much more cost-effective way to go than buying and maintaining your own physical servers.
• Accessibility: You can access your cloud server from anywhere with an internet connection, which makes it a great option for remote workforces.
• Reliability: Cloud providers have robust infrastructure with backups and redundancy built-in, so your server is less likely to go down than if you were managing your own hardware.Another benefit of cloud servers is the ability to easily scale your resources up or down depending on your needs. This flexibility allows for efficient allocation of resources and can help save costs in the long run. Additionally, cloud storage is a convenient way to store and access data without the need for physical hardware. With data being stored in multiple locations for redundancy, you can have peace of mind knowing that your information is securely backed up. Overall, utilizing cloud servers and storage can provide a reliable, cost-effective, and accessible solution for managing your digital assets

If you’re looking for a flexible and scalable way to run your applications, cloud servers are a great option to consider.

Before we get into the cloud server topics, let’s learn more about cloud migration strategies. To learn more, read our article, “How a Large Bank Redesigned its Cloud and Integrated It With Its Overall Business Plan“.

Can Small Businesses Use Cloud Computing?

Absolutely. Small businesses can benefit immensely from cloud computing.

Cloud servers are one of the usage scenarios of cloud computing. With cloud servers, small businesses have access to enterprise-level infrastructure without the need for significant upfront investments.

Small businesses can utilize cloud servers in a variety of ways.

One example would be using cloud servers to store your data. Small businesses can use cloud servers as a cloud storage solution to securely store and share important files and documents with team members. This eliminates the need for physical storage devices and allows for easy collaboration among team members, no matter where they are located.

Another use-case example could be for creating a website. With cloud servers, you can easily pay for cloud computation (the memory, CPU, or storage) as needed to host your website. If you’re just getting started, just pay for a basic website hosting package on cloud servers.

The resources on basic cloud servers may be limited, but they cost less. When your business starts to grow, you can upgrade to a higher package for more computational power to serve more traffic to your website.

Furthermore, the application of cloud servers for small businesses can be so much more. Cloud servers can be used to perform any “internet computation,” such as email services, software development and testing, collaboration tools, CRM solutions, e-commerce platforms, and analytics and business intelligence tools.

Considerations for Small Businesses

When it comes to choosing cloud servers, there are several factors to consider. One thing is certain: you must first assess your business’s specific needs. After that, you can begin to look into what cloud servers have to offer to meet your needs. But, in general, here are several things that you need to consider when using a cloud server as a small business.

1. Scalability: Make sure that the cloud service can effectively adapt to changing business requirements. Always plan for growth in your small business. Make sure the cloud servers can be scaled up at any time to accommodate your business growth.
2. Security Measures: As a small business, you may have limited technical capabilities, particularly in terms of security. When selecting cloud servers, ensure that the service includes an enterprise-grade security system to protect sensitive business and customer data.
3. Cost Structure: When it comes to data transfer, storage, and other services, it’s important to understand pricing models that include both one-time costs and ongoing costs. This will help you avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
4. Reliability and Uptime: Check to see what the cloud service says about uptime and reliability. High availability is very important for small businesses that need to access data and apps all the time.
5. Integration Capabilities: Check to see how well the cloud service works with and connects to current systems and application. Assuring a cohesive IT environment and making migration easier are both benefits of seamless integration.

Best Cloud Storage Solutions for Small Businesses

Determining the “best” cloud storage solution for small businesses depends on your specific needs and priorities.

For example, if you are using cloud servers for your website or application, you might need a virtual computation resource like a CPU, memory, and storage. For that, you’ll need an advanced service like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure.

Meanwhile, if you only need it to store data like document files or photos, a simpler and more cost-effective option like Dropbox or Google Drive might be sufficient. It is important for small businesses to carefully assess their requirements and budget before selecting a cloud storage solution to ensure it meets their needs effectively.

However, according to Investopedia, there are at least 5 reputable options for cloud storage:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud server provider that offers a full range of cloud computing services. AWS provides a variety of cloud server usage scenarios, including virtual servers, storage, databases, networking, and other resources, on a pay-as-you-go basis. That means you can do almost anything with AWS, from simply storing data to hosting a website or application on a large scale.
2. Box for Business can be one of your cloud servers’ options for file storage and sharing. It offers secure file sharing, enterprise-level security, file sync, cross platforms, IT and admin controls, reporting, and dedicated technical support. The free personal plan offers 10GB of storage, while the $10 per month personal pro plan offers 100GB. Business plans offer starter plans at $5/user/month with 100GB storage, and unlimited storage at $15/user/month with at least three users.
3. Dropbox for Business is another file storage and sharing cloud server option. It offers file sharing with non-Dropbox users in addition to cross-platform sharing, storage, sync, backup, and seamless integration. Individuals can edit files directly in Dropbox with the free 2GB plan and Microsoft 365 integration. Plus gives individuals 2TB of free storage. The Standard Business plan has 5TB of storage and costs $15 per user per month for three users. Full audit records of user activities, sharing, and controls are available. Business users receive priority support.
4. Microsoft OneDrive: This option is a good cloud server for Microsoft-using small businesses. Personal storage starts at 5 GB for free, and 100GB, 1TB, and 6TB cost $1.99, $6.99, and $9.99 per month, respectively. For the business plan, it starts at $5 per month which includes 1TB per user and a free trial. In addition to storage, OneDrive offers cross-platform syncing and powerful searching. There is downloadable software to sync remote and local data, and many third-party apps work with cloud data. Microsoft’s hybrid options integrate on-premises solutions with its cloud services.
5. OpenDrive: OpenDrive’s business plan includes data, projects, workflow, and user management. Data management offers storage, sync, and backup, while project management offers an online Office suite for direct editing of over 17 file types. Powerful Windows, Mac, and Android desktop software and apps are available. The basic OpenDrive plan has 5GB of free storage with file size and speed limits. Professional plans start at $29.95 per month for one user and include unlimited storage, file size, and access speed. Personal unlimited allows up to three user accounts (each user costs extra), while business unlimited allows unlimited user accounts.

That’s all you know about how cloud servers can help small businesses grow from an IT standpoint. But did you know that cloud adoption in business is increasing? Learn more in our article, “Multi-Cloud Adoption Increases: According to the report, 64% of companies expect to use it“.

Conclusion

Last but not least, small businesses can drastically improve their operational efficiency, scalability, and data security by utilising cloud servers. Unlocking the full potential of cloud computing and gaining a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape is possible for small businesses by carefully assessing their requirements and choosing the right cloud storage solution.

Is cloud computing the next logical step for your company?

Cloud server migration to cloud from Axle Networks can help you innovate, be more flexible, and improve your operations. Don’t pass up this chance to succeed.

Axle Networks is a professional IT services provider based in Melbourne that provides a full suite of IT services designed specifically for your business and delivered Australia-wide!

We provide Azure consulting, Cloud File Storage Migration, Server Migration to Cloud, and Email Migration to Cloud, all handled by experts with a service tailored to your needs.