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Did you know that there are over 600,000 new businesses across the United States each year? However, many of these companies fail within the first few years.
A key obligation that entrepreneurs have is to sufficiently protect the data at their company. Working with a cloud computing service is one of the best ways to do so.
However, not everybody understands the benefits of cloud computing or how to find the best cloud computing services for them. We’ve put together a brief guide that has key information you should consider.
Let’s get started.
How Is Their Past Reputation?
As you might guess, one of the most important factors to consider when looking for cloud computing services is their reputation.
You’ll want to check out reviews and case studies to see what other customers have said about them. This will provide insight into what you can expect once you hire them.
Of course, you should keep an eye out for false reviews. Not all feedback you encounter will be genuine. Reviews that are overly positive or overly negative may not be indicative of the type of service you will receive.
How Well Do They Understand Your Specific Needs?
It’s important that the cloud computing service you choose understands your specific needs.
After all, every business is different and has different data security requirements. Make sure to ask them specific questions about your business to see if they’re a good fit. A reputable provider should have no problem answering your concerns.
They should also be more than willing to provide examples of their past work so that you can see what they are capable of.
What Kind of Customer Support Do They Offer?
If you’re going to be working with a cloud computing service, you’ll want to make sure that they have excellent customer support. After all, you don’t want to be left in the dark if something goes wrong.
Ask them about their customer support policies and procedures to see if they’re up to your standards. If you don’t feel comfortable communicating with them, continue your search elsewhere.
The same can be said about providers who attempt to redirect the conversation away from customer support.
What’s Their Pricing Structure?
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the pricing structure of the cloud computing service you’re considering.
Make sure to get a breakdown of all the costs so that you can compare them to other prospective service providers. Not all providers are created equal, and some may charge substantially more than others for the same level of service.
Investigating the pricing structure will also help you prevent unwanted financial surprises.
For instance, some clients don’t read the fine print when working with providers and end up owing hundreds or even thousands of dollars that they did not anticipate paying.
Do They Offer the Features You Need?
Be sure to ask them about things like data backup and recovery, security features, and scalability.
You’ll want to make sure that they can provide everything you need to keep your data safe while maintaining accessibility. Under no circumstances should you sacrifice one for the other.
Otherwise, you may find yourself having issues in the future that you could have avoided.
Have They Worked With Businesses Like Yours in the Past?
This is one of the most important attributes to consider. If a service provider has not worked with a company like yours, they may not understand your specific needs.
For example, let’s assume that you own a medium-sized business that requires a substantial level of cloud computing service from your provider. If they have only ever worked with small companies, they may not be able to accommodate you.
Not only could this make your company less productive, but it could also lead to customer dissatisfaction. As you may assume, this is a situation you want to avoid at all costs.
What Are Their Core Values?
This is important because you want to make sure that you’re working with a company that shares your same values. Otherwise, you may find yourself butting heads down the road.
For example, if you place a high value on customer service, you’ll want to make sure that your cloud computing service feels the same way. The last thing you want is to be constantly arguing with your provider over things like response times and billing disputes.
Do They Have Any Industry Certifications?
While this is not a requirement, it’s still something worth looking into. After all, you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with a company that is up-to-date on the latest industry trends. This will help to ensure that they can provide you with the best possible cloud computing services.
Not to mention, it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you’re in good hands.
What Are the Red Flags I Should Keep an Eye Out For?
The following are a few red flags that you should keep an eye out for when searching for a cloud computing service. One of the most common is refusing to elaborate on their workflow.
If they’re not forthcoming with information, it’s likely because they’re trying to hide something. Not to mention, it will make it more difficult for you to hold them accountable if something goes wrong.
Another red flag is them being unwilling to provide you with references. This is especially true for companies that have been around for more than a couple of years.
As long as you keep the above information in mind, though, you shouldn’t encounter issues.
Finding the Right Cloud Computing Service Is Easier Than It Seems
Although it may seem difficult at first, finding the right cloud computing service provider is simpler than most people anticipate. Just be sure you ask the right questions and watch out for red flags.
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