How To Pick Cloud Storage Providers For Businesses In 2021

While choosing a cloud storage provider is not rocket science, the selection might be difficult even for a space businessman. Not to mention small businesses, which might suffer over even little money loss. There are so many different providers out there, and all claim to have the solution to your storage needs. But do they really? It is time to look at how to find the best cloud storage providers.

What Is Cloud Storage?

While the image of your data being stored in this magical cloud in the sky may sound cool, the reality is your data is stored on someone else's computer instead of your device. In most cases, your data will be stored on your cloud provider’s servers. By connecting to the internet, you can access your data, upload and save it. The best cloud storage providers encrypt your files for better protection. They also back it up in case of any issues.

Paid vs. Free Cloud Storage

A key step when choosing a cloud storage provider is determining if you want to go down the paid or free path. If you are only interested in free solutions, then your choices are instantly shrunk because many providers either have no free option or only give users a very small amount of space. However, for personal cloud storage, a free provider is usually sufficient. Google Drive, AKA Google cloud storage, is your best choice if you are after a free cloud storage provider. They have a generous offer of 15GB free of charge and an excellent user interface.

The reason why users opt for paid cloud storage is that they need to upload large files and require large amounts of free space. Both of these factors are severely limited by free cloud storage plans. Also, paid cloud storage options give users additional support and security if there are ever any issues. With a paid account, you will usually be able to call and speak to an actual person who can help you restore your lost data. Many cloud storage providers offer little to no support to their free customers. Good luck trying to contact someone at Google if you use the free version of Google Drive.

Your cloud storage options quickly expand if you opt for a paid version. Some of the most popular paid solutions include iDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and SugarSync. Cloud storage pricing depends on your needs and how much storage space you require. A terabyte is going to cost you approximately $10 per month. Costs can quickly rise if you need lots of storage space. 10TB space at Google is going to cost you $49.99 per month.

Security

The issue with cloud storage is you are entrusting your private and sensitive information to a 3rd party. You are relying on them to safeguard your data. Before choosing a cloud storage company, you need to deeply analyze their security protocols to ensure they have the policies and technology to keep your data private. Encryption is only the beginning and should go without saying many businesses will require far more than basic encryption to satisfy their security concerns.

Location

Where your cloud storage company physically has its servers is an important factor that you have to consider. Different regions have different laws, which could have serious ramifications for your business. If your data is stored outside your country, you may have issues accessing it, or bad actors may be able to get their hands on your sensitive information. This is why it is usually wise to keep your data stored locally or in a country that has similar laws to your own. We recommend you always consult a lawyer before deciding to store your data offshore.

Size

You want to choose a cloud provider that has the capability to meet your size requirements and that can grow alongside your business. It will be frustrating to shift cloud storage companies once you outgrow your initial provider, not to mention the risk of losing or leaking data. This is why it is best to choose a company that already has the capacity to meet the needs of your future business goals.

Conclusion

Choosing a cloud storage company is not a decision your business should take lightly. However, if you use our tips, you should have no problems finding a company that will meet all your needs and keep your data safe and easily accessible. Just remember first to decide whether you want a paid or free cloud storage provider, then start analyzing the location of the company’s servers, their size capabilities, and, most importantly, their security. Let us know in the comments below what cloud storage company you use and why.