For keep our website running we meet basically three options when choosing a server: Own, paid and free. We present the advantages and disadvantages of each of them so that you can choose the option that best suits your needs:
Own Server:
It is the one in which you install the infrastructure yourself in your establishment and manage the software and security protocols
Advantages: You have full control over all aspects of your website. From the appearance to the capacity that your page will have to receive visitors. In this sense, you can scale as the requirements of your page evolve. By not depending on another external server, you are not affected if there is a massive attack or if there is a malfunction.
Disadvantages: It is an investment that can be difficult to afford for startups since it generates a series of indirect costs. As you are solely responsible for the correct operation of your pages, you must have a team that provides assistance and maintenance to the software and hardware. As your business grows, you should invest in better equipment to avoid system crashes or malfunctions.
Pay Server:
It is the one in which we hire a service in which an external server is rented to us where the information of our website will be found.
Advantages: It is a economical option And we don't have to worry about hardware or software installation. They are generally accompanied by security and advertising protocols.
Disadvantages: There is a limitation regarding the amount of information we can handle and we can be affected if there is an attack on our server.
Free Server:
It is similar to the paid one, but with the difference that the limitations in terms of customization are many.
Advantages: We do not have to invest and it is ideal if we are starting or if it is an outline of what our final page will be.
Disadvantages: Very surely the URL that we will have will have the name of the external server and there will be third-party advertising on our page. In addition to having a limit of information to handle and few customization options.
Each online business has different needs and it is important to recognize what are the options available in the market to choose the one that best suits us. It is also important to consider our long-term goals when choosing a server to avoid limitations that may affect the future of our online commerce.