Although you may not realise it, getting a website to work is not as simple as simply uploading it to the internet; there are various technical actions which must take place to make this a reality. Arguably the most important of these is enlisting the help of a company which has an array of servers to offer you; with a number of options available, you must take into account the needs of your firm, as these will dictate which move will prove to be most prudent.
To shed some light on the matter, here is the catalyst2 team. Having been established in 2000, the experience that we have amassed in this industry cannot be matched. Not only this, but our services are diverse in their nature, meaning that we can facilitate an array of different server options. If you would like to educate yourself further on this matter, please check out the more in-depth explanations below.
What Is A Server?
Contrary to popular belief, servers are not particularly complex, either in the way that they operate or the manner in which they are composed. To begin with, you have to take into account how the initial process begins – that is to say, when a user is attempting to access your website. This could be either by entering your URL (also known as a Uniform Resource Locator), or by attempting to find it via a verified search engine. However, once this occurs, they will then be waiting for a response that provides them with your IP – this is where the server comes into action.
At its most primitive, a server can be described as hardware which looks to connect your target audience to your website. Regardless of whether they are using a mobile device or a more traditional desktop, their Internet connection will look to locate your site via the actions of a remote server. There are some firms which believe that having their server on-site can ensure that results are consistent and up to the expected standards. However, there are plenty of reasons as to why companies up-and-down the country are looking to outsource their requirements to a third-party, such as catalyst2. Not only does this make financial sense, as they will be able to keep costs down over a prolonged period of time, but from a technical standpoint you can also benefit. Their acute knowledge and understanding of this field means that they can maintain your connectivity in an easy and effective manner.
The Premium Option – Dedicated Servers
Were you to ask companies with their own websites as to what the most popular and efficient server currently available on the market is, the likelihood is that managed, dedicated servers would be the answer with the most votes. As the name suggests, this is a type of server which is used only by you and your firm. Although typically considered to be a luxury option which can only be taken advantage of by larger corporations, the results which it can provide you certainly justify the price tag. In terms of physical servers, there are no other units which can offer you similar levels of processing power, or memory capacity. This means that you can have a website that runs complex software and programs, whilst not losing any speed when it comes to loading times.
There are countless reasons as to why you may wish to invest in a plan that incorporates dedicated servers; arguably the main benefit which you can enjoy is the regular updates regarding your website’s performance. As one would imagine, this is where the ‘managed’ element of the service comes into play. When you are spending large sums of money, it is understandable that you will want to stay informed that your investment is justified. Information that you can expect to be provided includes the level of traffic that your site experiences in any given timeframe, as well as the typical loading times for visiting users. For those of you that are keen to become a fully-integrated digital force, this is the solution that you have been looking for.
During the twenty-first century, you will have naturally taken note of the various technical advancements which have taken place year-after-year. Whilst, for the most part, these developments have enriched our society, there have been unfortunate consequences – namely, the rise in criminal activity taking place online. Thankfully, there is an easy way in which to safeguard your website, and that is by using a dedicated server. Will an all-encompassing firewall that offers, amongst other things, DDOS protection, you will be able to enjoy peace-of-mind that actions occurring on your site are kept confidential and secure. It is for this reason that many ecommerce firms, as well as those which deal in the transactions of sensitive information, opt to utilise dedicated servers.
Managed VPS – A Little More Flexible
If you are a relative novice to the world of hosting, the chances are that you are unaware of the fact that most companies use a server which they share with countless other firms. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this, it can have severe implications on the way in which your website performs. This is not only related to its loading times, but also the way in which it ranks on popular search engines, such as Google. If your website is originating from the same location as a firm which specialises in more adult material, it is likely that you will receive less traffic as a result. However, this is a problem that is negated when you utilise a virtual private server, or VPS.
A little-known fact about VPS’ is that they are actually a subsection of a traditional shared hosting server; it is important to note, though, that this is where the similarities end. Some people believe that the main reason as to why VPS hosting in the UK has seen a spike in popularity is due to the simplicity of their operating system. Essentially, the VPS ensures that your website is kept separate from other sites – this will allow you, for example, to install bespoke software without fearing how it may affect other corporations. This can be done easily using a simple control panel, and ensures that you can mould your website however you see fit.
In terms of security features which you can take advantage of, the importance of having your own IP address cannot be understated. This will once again ensure that your rankings are not negatively affected by the operations of other websites stemming from the server. We should also point out that, in terms of costs, this is a fantastic way in which to save money in the long-run. This is because you will not be charged for maintenance costs which are incurred because of other companies. If you are searching for a cost-effective solution to your server conundrum, this is not something which you should rule out without considerable deliberation.
Cloud Hosting – Exploding In Popularity
Over the past decade, cloud computing has seen an astronomical rise to the forefront of everyone’s attention within the IT world, and it is not difficult to see why. Cloud hosting plans are often compared to flexible servers, primarily because of the way in which you can tailor-make a package that suits you. Many start-ups opt to use cloud-based servers due to the way in which there is potential for growth further down the line. Initially, you will likely concede that your traffic will be relatively limited, and therefore there is no need to pour money into exceptional CPUs. As time goes on, and you begin to improve your online presence, you can subsequently acquire more memory and processing power as you see fit.
Those of you who are looking to limit your carbon footprint will be pleased to hear that, with cloud hosting, you are able to do so in an efficient-and-effective manner. Whilst, at first glance, this may seem counterintuitive, due to the fact that you are using the facilities of various establishments, once you look closer you will understand why. With the spreading out of resources across multiple servers and databases, you are actually lessening the harm that you are doing to the environment. Should your firm be one that is looking to establish a reputation for being green in their operations, this could be the solution you have been looking for.
If you have done any-amount of research into cloud systems, you will undoubtedly be familiar with the most overt benefit which you can enjoy, which is near-constant uptime. This is due to the fact that you are not simply using a single server; rather, you will be employing ones which are based across the country. This subsequently means that should one server be knocked out due to a power outage, your website can remain running courtesy of another. For many companies, this is the deciding factor when it comes to deciding on whether or not to pursue a cloud-based server.
Looking To Begin Your Journey?
Following on from your reading, we believe that you will now have a basic understanding of the various server options from which you can choose from. This means that when the time comes to solicit the services of a company that professes to be reputable providers of a wide-range of server options, you will be well-aware of which is best-suited to cater to your firm’s individual requirements.
For those of you that did not already know, catalyst2 is one of the leading companies in the UK when it comes to the provision of first-class servers. Regardless of whether you would like to purchase a cloud server that ensures that you will be able to grow your website as-and-when you need to, or wish to utilise a dedicated managed server that does not compromise your site’s loading times and performance capabilities, one thing is certain. The technical support that you can take advantage of is second-to-none, and the results which we can facilitate will leave you feeling wholly-satisfied.
In case you have any doubts regarding our capabilities, we ask that you spend some time perusing through the testimonials published on our dedicated Trustpilot page. With more than three hundred glowing reviews, these should demonstrate the credentials that we have. Having been operating in this industry for more than twenty years, you will be hard-pressed to source a company that is as proficient as we are in supplying top-tier hosting platforms. We understand that before proceeding any further, you may be harbouring some queries about the ways in which we can assist you. We are delighted to inform you that thanks to the exceptional customer service team that we have put together, the answers you will receive will be both insightful and straightforward.
Should you wish to chat through your requirements with one of our representatives, feel free to give us a call on 0800 107 7979. Alternatively, you can utilise the live-chat options provided on our website’s contact page. Whichever avenue you choose to go down, we will endeavour to provide you with an experience which is smooth-and-seamless; we look forward to hearing from you.
