How And Why to Set Up a Server for Small Business

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: How And Why to Set Up a Server for Small Business.

By Richard Grant, freelance writer.

When you’re running a small business, it can be hard to keep up with everything. There are so many different tasks that need to be done, and for the most part, you do them yourself.

Running a small business requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You have to take care of a ton of different tasks, from marketing to accounting. But there are some things you can do to make your life easier. One major way is by setting up a server for your small business.

What are common server types for small businesses?

While there are many different types of servers and usage scenarios for each one, we'll be specifically talking about on-premise hardware for this article. In that context, a server is simply a piece of hardware that provides you with the power and the processing capability to run a server software package for your business.

Different server software packages enable you to do different things with your server. For example, a web server enables you to host your own website and serve up your own content through HTTP and HTTPS protocols.

Another type of common server package is known as a file server, which lets you store and distribute data using the standard file systems and the FTP protocol. With a private file server, it can be easier for multiple users or clients to share files with your business. You can also set up a level of access that each user can have so that one user can access certain files, but the rest can’t.

In addition, storing files offers easier backup and restore options for small businesses. Instead of hard drives, your server can host a series of files and can automatically download and store them at the correct time.

How to set up a server for small business

You can set up a website using free tools and services, but having an on-premises server can be useful for advanced functions, support, security, backups, and other enterprise-level services.

The hardware required for a server is really no different than your average computer, with some caveats. Servers typically require high amounts of storage and RAM, depending on the tasks the server is being used for.

In any case, you'll want to read up a bit on specific server hardware configurations so that you can choose the right hardware for your needs.

Your on-premise server will likely be little more than a standard desktop server, for a small business. Don't worry, you don't need to go out and purchase a humongous server rack to house this little project. You can get by with a 4- or 8-core processor and 16GB of RAM for many business tasks.

Setting up your on-premise server will take a bit of know-how, and the full details are more complex than we can give you instructions for. Instead, read up on various popular Linux distros for server setup, or explore your options for Microsoft Hyper-V for Windows Server installations.

You may also need to purchase additional hardware to support your business. It’s a good idea to select a server that’s high-performance, as higher-performance servers are more likely to ensure high-quality connections to the web. It can also help you to prevent things such as website overload that could overwhelm a server.

So you have a server running, it’s time to start posting and emailing information from your server. This will save your employees and customers time. Have a website with everything that you need for your business and also a one-stop-shop for everything that you want your customers to know.

Why should you set up a server for your small business?

The Internet has become more important in our daily lives, and having a high-quality server can ensure that your customers get a good experience when they visit your website. You might be thinking, “I don’t need to do that. I can just outsource my server needs.” But if you really want to grow your business, you should at least explore the option of setting up a server.

Setting up a server will improve your reputation among your customers. If your site is fast and free from downtime, people will consider your business to be reputable. Your customers will benefit from the ease with which they can reach your business.

Customers expect your business to be available 24/7, even on weekends. Having a server will help you to better serve your customers in this way.

Lastly, a server will save you time. Because your servers are already set up, you’ll be able to focus more on other tasks, including building up your business. Most importantly, having a website is the easiest way to build up your customer base.

The benefits of a server for small business

Having a server for small business is a key strategy for growth, and the benefits are clear. It is a great idea because it can take care of the more mundane tasks and it will help you get through your day-to-day task more efficiently.

Setting up a server for business can also help you to protect your data from malware, hackers or any cyber attacks. Servers for small businesses can also help you to make things run smoother and more efficiently. Not only will it improve security, but it will also help with other tasks like backups and IT service management.

An employee who doesn't want to work in the office during the weekdays could do so remotely by connecting to your server later in the evening. They could also be able to access any work documents that were stored on the server without having to come into the office.