The Age of Managed Dedicated Server Hosting

by L. Whitson

I currently manage more than 30 websites as part of my online business. I didn't have much cash to lay out on the costs to start up. So, I went with the cheapest managed dedicated server hosting provider I could find. I plan on changing this situation once I gain momentum in the online business, but for now I have to make do with what's affordable. In the meantime, customer traffic has been going pretty well -- thanks to the image hosting service on a dedicated server that I'm using. 

I sell lots of different products and rely heavily on photographs and images to give my customers a better idea of what these products look like up close. I prefer using high-quality graphics that contain lots of details because I've learned that these help boost sales more than a written product description does. The problem is that quality photographs and images take up a lot of bandwidth every time they are loaded from the hosting server to be viewed by customers. There are several solutions to this problem, and why I prefer a managed hosting server that is dedicated to my websites.  

What is an image hosting service?

First, an image hosting service is a website that allows registered members to upload their photographs, graphics, logos, and other artwork to the site. The images are then ready to be used for whatever purpose you have in mind, including linking them to other websites, sending them in email messages, or simply viewing them right at the image hosting service managed by a dedicated server site. This saves on bandwidth at your own website, and is therefore a terrific solution for people who use a bunch of images and prefer to use a professional web host. 

What are the advantages of using an image hosting service on a managed dedicated server?

The benefits from a managed hosting service can range in price, depending on how much enterprise grade hardware, support, or top tier facilities you need. But the benefits far outweigh the cost. Using a top professionally managed dedicated server hosting service can take the kinks out of your business by saving you tons of frustrating hours. Solving problems with your images and web design can be very time consuming. And, time is money!

Another advantage to using a managed hosting service, especially if you use a lot of images on your websites, is that they usually include feature-rich editing and organizing tools. These tools allow you to touch up, resize, or crop your photos to get them looking just the way you want, and give you the ability to keep track of them by grouping them into folders or tagging them with certain keywords. This is absolutely essential if you use hundreds of images like I do, and is a great reason to sign up with an image hosting service.

Why do webmasters choose a managed hosting service for building websites?

Webmasters look for managed dedicated hosting companies that will learn your business objectives and establish a powerful, long-term relationship with you. Organizations that have critical needs consider managed server hosting to be efficient at providing web applications and fast performing data bases. Managed hosting service providers are usually experts at web design. They are also recognized by leading industry analysts for their ability to provide reliable networks.

If you are looking for the best possible performance out of your systems, managed dedicated hosting will save you from wasting money on expensive and unnecessary hardware upgrades. Professional webmasters also want personalized service that even includes back up plans for disaster recovery and other customized services. I can't afford to have my sites go down, so this is very reliable. 

 What are some of the disadvantages of using a managed dedicated hosting service?

Of course, there are a few inconveniences associated with your own dedicated hosting service that is managed by other professionals, as well as other image hosting service issues. For example, there are usually a lot of annoying advertisements to put up with on the sites because they have to pay for the bandwidth through this advertising. Also, there are sometimes size restrictions on the files that you can upload. So, if bandwidth usage is important in your online business, you will need the right hosting service.

Another drawback is that the managed hosting provider consultant may not be available at the exact moment you are ready to make upgrades or changes to your site. They also generally try to sell you additional services that add cost to your online business.

Overall though, I'm very happy with the dedicated image hosting service that I'm using. Hosting on your own dedicated server is the way to go. It allows me to use all the high-quality images I need on my website without hammering my wallet with excessive fees. What's not to love about that?