Choosing a safe pair of hands for your business’s IT can be a difficult decision. Recruiting the necessary in-house expertise to handle it can be both expensive and time-consuming.
Outsourcing IT hosting and support services can smooth the process and provide a high-quality, reliable service to help your organisation grow.
It is estimated that approximately 60 per cent of small to medium enterprises in the UK outsource their hosting and IT infrastructure to a service provider. That number is expected to grow with continued investment in digital customer solutions.
What is hosting?
Hosting for IT is when an organisation uses infrastructure supplied by another company to store files, websites and applications. A business can rent storage, servers and hardware from an IT support company.
The hosting can be either traditional server hosting or cloud-based hosting.
What is traditional server hosting?
The traditional approach to IT hosting is using a physical server or servers, located in a data centre.
Space and processing power are shared by several different organisations or businesses who also rent the service. Because it is shared, performance is impacted by the traffic and resource consumption of other businesses.
The hardware and maintenance of the data centre is undertaken by the hosting company, including any security issues and upgrades.
Traditional hosting can also include virtual private server hosting and dedicated servers. These are where specific spaces or servers are dedicated to the business that rents them.
What is cloud-based hosting?
Cloud-based hosting is a more flexible option than traditional servers as it is not tied to a single location. It involves a network of virtual and physical servers which provide on-demand resources.
The system is more reliable than traditional hosting because downtime is avoided. If one part of the network fails, it ports the stored data to another location automatically.
Cloud hosting provides a scalable option for fast-growing organisations and businesses that don’t need to overspend on dedicated hardware.
What are the benefits of using a professional IT hosting service?
There are many benefits of paying to outsource cloud and hosting services. Here are some of them:
- Not having to purchase and maintain expensive hardware and update software
- Reduced physical storage needs on-site
- You don’t have to employ IT experts in-house to set up and run servers
- It is scalable, allowing for rapid growth
- Access to an infrastructure that is faster than in-house options
- Regular security updates make it more secure
- Contingencies are in place so there is less downtime for servers and websites
- Data is backed up regularly and can be retrieved in the event of a hack or failure
- IT support available 24/7 to deal with any issues
What to look for in a business IT support provider
There are key indicators to look for when choosing the right IT support provider, particularly when it comes to hosting.
You are trusting the company with your data, your reputation and in some cases, your livelihood. It is important to consider all the factors before making a decision.
Reliability and performance
Reduced downtime for your website and data storage means you can continue your business as usual without interruption. Look for an organisation that provides constant network monitoring so that issues can be dealt with swiftly.
Security
Choose an organisation that prioritises security updates and back-ups; that way, should something go awry, your business has continuity.
According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43 per cent of businesses reported having a breach or cyber attack within the previous 12 months.
Growth
You want to grow your business and your IT needs will grow with it. Choose an IT service that allows for scalability so nothing holds you back.
Location
For physical server solutions and for on-site IT support visits or set-up, it helps to use a service that is local to you in Buckinghamshire.
Cost
Choose an option with clear pricing for set-up and continuing service and support, to make sure there are no additional budget surprises.
Support
Choose an IT provider who is there when you need them and can react promptly to resolve any issues.
Check that a service level agreement is in place for dealing with problems and downtime for hosting. Support levels should suit the type of business you run, whether it is nine to five or 24/7, and be tailored to your needs.
Staffing
Choose an IT hosting company that has the experience and expertise to support your business. Staff should be technically qualified, certified and regularly complete continued professional development to stay up-to-date.
Talk to Sinorrah IT Solutions to discuss IT hosting and support needs for your business.