A small business can come with high power, functionality and efficiency if they are based on cloud servers. A cloud-based solution provides security and no need to invest in expensive hardware, software or maintenance. The solution is web-based and accessible from any device such as desktop, tablet or smartphones. It makes business easy for remote workers who can communicate via their devices and collaborate in real time. The virtualization environment provides not only a secure Internet connection but bandwidth control for making sure that all your data transfers via the SSL encrypted channel.

Best Small Business Cloud Server

Imagine how convenient it would be for you to get access to all your company’s essential data & files on the move. This is made possible with the technology of cloud computing and its provider of the best cloud services for small businesses. In today’s digital age, having cloud services for any company is inevitable. But the usability and requirement of using cloud services differ from large enterprises to small businesses. So it becomes highly essential to choose suitable yet best cloud services for small businesses as well as large companies.

In today’s post, we will be highlighting some of the best cloud computing solutions for small businesses. Along with it, we will also explain the basic concept of cloud services and why small businesses should utilize & implement cloud services for their data backup system effectively.

So let’s get on with the details.

What Do We Understand By Cloud Service?

Back in the day, we used to store all our important files and data on hard drives. It was when no cloud services or smartphones were available. We used to do all that with the help of a USB port. But today with the availability of cloud services everywhere, we get to choose from a wide range of options for the storage of databases, files, records, and servers.

Now we can safely protect all of that without needing to store them in our personal storage drives. The services are also cost-effective and provide its user with a number of essential features that we don’t really get when we manually store them ourselves.

On top of that, one can get complete accessibility of their files, records, sharing of data, and more from anywhere they want. This makes the collaboration process in real-time among team members easier than ever. As the whole team can work on the same files at the very same time without facing any issues.

A Little More About Cloud Service

So in simple words, Cloud service is one kind of digital service that allows users to have dedicated fixed storage to store data for any type of business small or big in a safe secured place. It lets users access client data that it store in their remote server space.

The maintenance and ownership of this cloud storage are with the cloud hosting company whereas the user simply owns the space that they bought to store their data in it. There will be no limit to a user’s accessibility to their stored client data providing secured access designated for them by the cloud service providers. The data however could be in multiple or many servers that are in the data center of the cloud hosting company.

There are different types of cloud services for small business that include:

• Cloud Backup
• Cloud Backup
• Software as a Services (SaaS)
• Cloud hosting

The best cloud services for small businesses can manage a number of essential company-related tasks that include file storage as well as web hosting.

Why Should a Small Business Require Best Cloud Services?

Nowadays the service and benefits of cloud solutions are not limited to large enterprises only. On a more adverse term, the technology of the cloud is equally suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Cloud services boost productivity saving time and money for businesses. It even improves team collaboration creating scope for promoting innovative ideas. As your business grows you are able to scale up your

So here are some of the top reasons why a small business should activate the service of the cloud solutions.

• Ease of accessibility on the move from anywhere
• Improve in flexibility
• Increase in data security, privacy & control
• Cost-effective service and economical upfront investment
• Convenience while maintaining a remote team & facility
• Easy data backup option
• Business process automation
• Get to stay updated with the latest technology
• Simultaneous team collaboration with constant user consistency

5 Best Cloud Services for Small Business

Apart from the above benefits, reliable Cloud service ensures small businesses cut down on the staff’s workload when they don’t need to employ employees to update & install applications, manage emails & file servers or run & maintain backups anymore. You will be able to save hardware space as there will be no need for software updates on your network server.

More essentially, you no longer need to store any file, backup data, and software installations file that fills up the space of your personal computer and server. Above all, as the online cloud storage providers regularly update their applications, therefore it saves time as you don’t have to update them yourself anymore. The cloud service providers that are listed to discuss below are already very popular names in the ever so crowded realm of cloud storage solutions list.

Microsoft Azure

Once you have signed up for the Microsoft Azure cloud service platform you get to run virtual desktops & applications with its storage and backup system based in the cloud. Moreover, it is a cloud computing platform vastly designed to offer organizations built-in migration tools. This means businesses are able to migrate Windows server & Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to various other devices.

As a hybrid cloud service provides it has the immense ability to integrate and manage your environments. It supports almost all the popular platforms like iPhone, Android, Windows phone apps along with its web service. The solution is suitable for all types of business setup starting from small or medium-sized organizations. It also provides customer support through online, tutorials, knowledge-based documentation.

One can easily have security, scalability, and analytics even while the company is growing. Not to mention its multi-layer security and data backup facility that its user get to have from day one of its use. Keep all your files safe even after giving employees access to data. Truly a solid cloud service for every type of business model.

Key Highlights

• Scaleable as per user demand
• No requirement of on-site hardware
• Budget-friendly subscription models
• Enterprise grade development tool
• Top-notch cybersecurity
• Advances compliance features

IDrive

With 5 TB cloud backup storage at an impressive price of just $13.90 for the first year, the IDrive is indeed a solution with one of the better online backup services for small businesses. To launch the full application, one can easily click on the IDrive’s notification area to access its settings and manage other backup schedules.

During the transmission and while at rest on the server, the data in it remains totally encrypted until you restore it from the client-end. In terms of backing up your file, it lets you select files and documents from common user folders like documents, music, pictures, and so on. In the case of restoring the backup file, from the dropdown menu, the user is able to select the original backup device to move files directly to the PC.

Using the checkboxes, its settings provide the option to restore them in a folder structure. There is also the option for, syncing, individual devices, and sharing preferences. The user can also share any files easily via email by signing up for an IDrive account.

Moreover, one can download any file, by digging into any folders or choosing a computer from the Backup tab. The solution also has a mobile app allowing you to backup anything from the ease of your mobile device. With the backup speed being on the higher side, IDrive is truly a fully-featured online drive for any business setup.

Key Highlights

• Easy-to-use setup functionality
• No limit for devices per account
• Backup for disk image
• Syncing of Folder
• Download & bulk upload backup file
• Easy data restoration via email
• Lighting fast upload speeds in testing

Google Drive

This is the most popular cloud service that almost all common people use. This free cloud service has the potential to become the backbone of any small business. With its fully-featured cloud-based document, presentation, spreadsheet, forms, and drawing tool, it is the most favorite cloud service for all and not just for small businesses. A comprehensive online drive to be able to access anything from anywhere. This means your files go wherever you go.

Right now, this is probably the most favorite place for anyone needing to store & share their photos, documents, files, recordings, videos, and more. All you will need is the login to your Google account and you will be able to access your files from any device you want. You will love how smartly you can share the important files simply by sharing an invite link in order to collaborate with your team member better.

Instead of using Gmail to send email attachments all the time, you can simply use Google drive. So sharing and working on your files with multiple people at the same time has never been easier and faster.

Key Highlights

• Compatible with Microsoft Office
• Simple & easy to use interface
• Custom link for easy file sharing
• Store any type of files, videos, PDF, presentations, documents, etc.
• Files protected with SSL standard
• Compatible with plenty of apps and templates
• Easy accessibility from any device you want

Note: Although most of the cloud services from Google were free all these years, from coming June 1, 2021, Google has announced that its users will no longer be able to enjoy its free Google photos storage service and will only be able to use their dedicated 15 GB of free storage to save their photos and videos.

If anyone feels the need to extend its storage for its cloud service then they will have to opt-in for the Google drive premium plan.

Dropbox

Another really popular cloud storage service that can be used to store and share data and files in the cloud at ease. Dropbox application can be termed as an ideal platform for managing, retrieving, and storing your files that can be accessed from anywhere. It has a unique option of being able to share files even with non-Dropbox users. Once you get signed up with a Dropbox account, you automatically get free storage of 2 GB. It is easy to use, as you can simply connect yourself to the internet and you are all set to access this tool.

The cloud service provider is also said to be an ideal platform for storing and backing up all your essential information. This means if for any mishaps, you lose your data on your computer, you will easily be able to get back everything as it was before. The tools ensure complete security of your data as it encrypts your files when they are moving to and from the cloud storage.

Working from your mobile or tablet is easier than ever, as you get to access files and work on them anytime you want. Even if you don’t have an internet connection, its user can also access the files or folders that you have marked to automatically sync offline.

Collaboration with team members is also easier than ever, as the collaborators with a Dropbox account can work simultaneously on shared files. Backing up your files is also hassle-free, as the user can simply drag & drop the file or folder that they want to backup to the Dropbox folder on your desktop.

Also retrieving your accidentally deleted files can be difficult in many cloud services but not in the case of Dropbox, as you can get lost files back with a single click.

Key Highlights

• It is free & easy-to-use
• Ideal & secured platform for backing up information
• Great mobility for accessing files from anywhere or any device
• Easy backup and retrieval of files at anytime
• Work without an internet connection
• Share file easily to collaborate and work on them

SpiderOak

For people who work on multiple systems every day and want to back up everything in one place, SpiderOak can be really helpful as it allows backup from unlimited machines. It is quite well-known for its high-end military-grade security. The user can rest assured about their data being safe due to its strong encryption and zero-knowledge policy. As the data is saved in their in-house server and not in any third-party server, therefore, not even the company has access to the user data. It also provides access to these servers only to a limited number of authorized operators.

All the data and files on SpiderOak are backed up through desktop apps. A user can either use their free storage or 2 GB or opt for any of its cost-effective paid plans. The solution comes with two-level of backup, basic level & advanced level. And a user looking for more control over how their data and files are backed up should go for advanced level backup in it.

Another exciting feature that this innovative cloud service provider offers is its de-duplication option. This means the system will automatically detect any duplicate file on your desktop in advance, and it will not back it up again while it locally syncs it with the system, refraining it from creating the duplicate file again.

Its highest selling point was always the security and privacy that it provides to its users protecting their sensitive information. Although one of its negative points can be termed for it only having a desktop app and not any web app. Although its mobile app is available for use on Android & iOS.

Key Highlights

• Easy file sharing & archiving
• Private encryption of backed up files
• Free storage of 2GB
• Local and server-side encryption
• Keeps unlimited deleted files
• Collaboration through folder sharing
• iOS and Android apps

how to setup cloud server for small business

Servers play an increasingly important role in small business infrastructure and keeping sensitive data safe, and the growth of the server market reflects this. The global server market surpassed $91 billion in 2020. That number is expected to increase every year as data needs continue to grow.

How can your company harness the power of a server? What does it take to employ one in your own company? Learning how to set up a business server is an important first step to take before you make any major purchasing decisions.

What is a server?

A server is a physical device or a computer program that provides other computers on the same network access to information, programs, services, or storage space. The other computers on the network are called “clients,” and the goal of the server is to offset some of the burdens from these clients.

Servers help prioritize resources and may also provide a safer framework for sharing and storing data than individual computers. They may be named based on their job, such as a “file server for small business,” for example, if it exists solely to serve client files.

You can use servers to host and serve many business functions, including:

• Business apps
• Data storage and backup
• Databases
• Ecommerce
• Email
• Files
• Websites

Many small office servers are considered “dedicated servers” because they are devoted to one function. Your email server, for example, exists to receive, store, and serve email data. Another example is an ecommerce server, which hosts and serves your business’s online store.

Small business server options

In addition to having different functions, servers fall into types or categories. By familiarizing yourself with these options, you can have a preference in mind before choosing one and moving forward with a purchase.

1. Cloud solutions vs onsite servers

Many of us already use cloud-based servers for the things we do as consumers. The concept is the same when talking about data storage solutions for small business needs. Storing your work files on a Google Drive, for example, takes advantage of the robust cloud servers offered by Google. And if you choose to store those same files on a physical server at your own location, you would use an “onsite” server.

Note that all cloud services are simply the same type of onsite physical servers you would use at your own business. They may be larger or more powerful, but there isn’t anything magical about the cloud. It’s simply a way of saying that the server doing all of the work isn’t physically located at your business and that someone else does the maintenance.

Not sure about choosing server vs. cloud for small business? Hybrid options exist for those who want the best of both worlds.

2. Windows vs Linux

Just as you would choose an operating system for your computer, you need an operating system for a shared server for small business. There are benefits to choosing Windows if you’re comfortable with Windows-based technology but Linux has its own perks. Explore the benefits of each to get a feel for what’s right for you and your IT team.

You may choose a small business server configuration based on the talent you can find to keep everything running smoothly. Windows and Linux aren’t the only technologies available, either, but they’re the most notable.

Planning and purchasing server components

If you feel ready to buy a server system for your small business, you’ve likely already decided on a technology and picked an onsite server. What’s next? You have some tough questions to answer, but going through the exercise of the next steps is crucial to avoiding buyer’s remorse.

1. Know your budget

What you can pay and what you should pay are two very different numbers, and you may find that you can’t afford the best storage server for small business on the market. That’s exactly why it’s crucial to have your maximum budget amount in mind. You can work from there to figure out if renting hardware instead of buying, or using a cloud-based option for some of your data will get you what you need for what you can afford.

Servers can run under $100 per month to rent and over $2,000 to buy. This is for an individual server, however, and doesn’t include the server room cost, maintenance, security, and staff to run and protect your servers. Since this is a significant investment, you should be prepared to share your ROI with stakeholders who may ask, “Why invest so much?”

You should also expect your budget to change over time. Services cost more year after year, and the parts used to build servers change, too, so factor those costs into your budget.

2. Know the tasks you’ll run

You are likely to receive some additional direction from the seller of the server you decide to buy, but prepare for the discussion by putting together a list of jobs you’ll need the server to do. This can help you stay within your budget.

To get an idea of the hard drive, processor, and RAM your server must have, ask yourself these questions:

• What applications will we run from the server?
• How many people will use each application at a time?
• How will our business grow?
• Will the number of people using an application or the number of applications we use grow significantly over the next few years?

Be realistic about your current needs and those in the near future. If you are interested in new email technology or plan to move your brick-and-mortar store to a self-hosted ecommerce solution, add those developments to your task list.

3. Decide on the components

Before you get started, you’ll need all the parts. These will vary by how you plan to use the server. You will need a hard drive with enough space and speed to handle your work, as well as the right amount of RAM.

How can you know the parts you pick will be up to the tasks? You can estimate some resource needs in advance with these steps.

1. Take the list of applications you put together in Step 2 and do further research on each application. You can find some calculators from various server businesses that will help you understand the resources necessary to run various programs at the capacity of your business.
2. Record the results and note the high and low estimates of what you’ll need for each program or application. Add them together to get the average capacity for when you server shop, then add 20% for peak usage spikes.
3. Now you have the minimum spec requirements for most parts – start there. You may want to work with a third-party expert to go over other needs, such as RAID, hot-swappable drive bays, CPU, power supply options, and hardware redundancy. An outside consultant may also bring new concerns to light that you didn’t consider, such as whether you need a newly designed internet connection infrastructure.
4. Go over the specs for your server room in advance, including any windows, backup power, and cooling systems that will keep your equipment safe. This step alone can be a burden for businesses, but it’s one you must do before you shop for your equipment.
5. Ask your IT team questions to help them in planning your server room setup. How will you meet needs through racks, cable management, and security? Again, get outside help if you feel overwhelmed.

How to find a reputable business

Discovering the right server company may feel difficult at first. Start your search by asking business colleagues and others who are happy with their server solutions where they went. A referral is worth a lot in this business.

Look for red flags when speaking to a potential server sales rep. They should listen to your unique needs and be able to answer all of your questions regarding your individual tech preferences. Avoid companies that offer a one-size-fits-all approach or insist on setting you up with the same server system as a company much larger or much smaller than your business.

If they aren’t willing or able to bump up their small business file server solutions, for example, or they avoid giving you real-life examples of their servers in the business world, look elsewhere. Reputable businesses will want to provide case studies or contact information of happy customers who are willing to share their positive experiences with you.

Next steps

Setting up a small business server is a considerable investment. Whether you buy for onsite solutions or take your business to the cloud, use the same level of care and research before making any purchases. Your existing tech supplier may even have leads on where to get the best price and experience on a server.

If you buy all of your equipment from one company, start there to see what they recommend for taking your business to the next level. A tech rep should be able to do a complete needs analysis and get you on the right path toward the server you’ve always wanted.