A dedicated server can provide the best possible performance for your website. It is also considerable decision that requires careful planning on your part. This is a responsibility that exceeds anything you have ever had to encounter in a shared hosting arrangement.

Before leasing service and deploying the server, there are a number of factors that must be taken into account. Below we have listed seven of the most critical:

1. Server Hardware - Perhaps the most essential element of a dedicated hosting solution is the actual server itself. There are various types of hardware available produced by a wide range of manufacturers. This is why it is so important to ask prospective hosting providers about hardware components such as hard drives, processors and RAM. All the benefits of a dedicated server are null and void without the aspect of reliable, high performance equipment.

2. Network Connectivity - When leasing a dedicated server, you also receive a dedicated connection to the internet. If you are concerned about the performance of your website and the availability of your mission-critical applications, you will certainly want to inquire about the status of the provider's network connection. Are they providing you with a T1 or T3 line? Are there redundant connections? Who are their backbone providers? The answers you get here can tell you a lot about performance and the overall reliability of dedicated server solution.

3. Bandwidth Allotment - Bandwidth is a very critical aspect of the web hosting business and the internet itself. Most hosting companies provide you with a specific allotment of bandwidth every month. However, some do not. When choosing your dedicated server, it is strongly recommended to select a package that gives you a specific figure instead of one that is simply advertised as "unlimited." Find out how much bandwidth you are allocated each month and the requirements for obtaining more as your needs increase.

4. IP Options - Having a dedicated server usually guarantees you at least one unique IP address. However, there may be instances in which you require more. For example, if you are running two e-commerce stores on the server, you will need at least two unique IP addresses for security purposes. It is important to keep in mind that every SSL certificate requires its own IP address in order to be installed on the server.

5. Data Backup and Restoration - Many customers overlook backup options when shopping for a dedicated server. This is an area you definitely want to put emphasis on as data can become loss of corrupt due to failures, theft, sabotage or natural disasters. There are a variety of proactive measures you can take to ensure that the data on your server is routinely backed up and can be restored. Hosting providers typically offer backup services as well but a combination of efforts on both sides would be the best solution.

6. Technical Support - Even though a dedicated server is often viewed as a do-it-yourself type of arrangement, you should never be left out in the cold when it comes to support. The level of support is something you need to be aware before entering a contract with the service provider.

Make sure you can get in touch with the company 24 hours a day and 7 days a week whether it is through a phone number of email. Being that you don't have physical access to the hardware and network, you simply cannot succeed without quality technical support for your dedicated server.

7. Server Uptime and Network Reliability - Dedicated servers are generally more dependable than the shared variety, but the crucial aspects of uptime and reliability are never guaranteed. Almost every web hosting provider offers what appears to be a respectable uptime guarantee but you must dig a little deeper when making such a commitment. What is the uptime of the network and the actual server? What is guaranteed? How will you be compensated if this guarantee is not upheld? Dedicated web hosts generally offer a 99.5% to 100% uptime guarantee, but it is your responsibility to investigate this matter and determine how it works.