6 Tips on Choosing a Cloud Platform for Small Businesses

Did you know that the average person uses 36 cloud-based services daily? Chances are, you are using a cloud platform without realizing it.

For businesses, it’s important to know exactly what cloud platform you are using for backup and data storage purposes. Choosing a cloud platform isn’t as simple of a task as you’d think.

Keep reading to learn six key factors to consider in your decision.

1. Security

The first thing you should consider when choosing a cloud platform is how secure it is. You can do this by verifying that the provider offers encryption from end to end.

End-to-end encryption refers to when data leaves the business and when it is stored in the cloud. If your small business is bound by HIPAA regulations, you’ll need to have your own encryption keys as well.

2. Price

With all of the cloud platform options on the market, price is a huge consideration when choosing. Don’t judge a platform on price only because choosing a provider on the low end isn’t always the best option.

Comparing platform costs is important but base your decision on the balance of service versus cost. Some services will offer few features at a high price and vice versa.

3. Performance

Cloud platform features and the performance of each is also a consideration you’ll need to make. You’ll want quick access to your files and you’ll want to be able to back up information quickly.

Low-priced cloud platforms tend to limit their upload speeds. This is a red flag for options on protecting business data.

Platforms like Workiva can store everything from videos to press releases to photos.

4. Compliance

A small business has a responsibility to protect consumer data along with its business data. Chances are, your company is required to meet certain regulations.

The cloud platform you choose should be compliant with PCI, DSS, and HIPAA to name a few.

5. Reliability and Stability

Every cloud platform is going to advertise itself as a reliable and secure program. To get a better idea of who is telling the truth, check customer reviews.

Reading online reviews can help you learn vital information about a cloud platform such as the guaranteed uptime of a provider.

The best providers are capable of offering 99.999% uptime so you shouldn’t consider a program that has less than that. The more downtime you experience, the more problems you’ll encounter.

6. Leave Policy

When choosing a cloud platform, you’ll ideally want one that grows with your business. However, finding the perfect one for the lifespan of your business is not easy.

Choose a cloud platform that you won’t be locked into forever. Learn a provider’s leave policy and ensure you can take your data with you when the time comes.

Choosing a Cloud Platform for Your Business Needs

When choosing a cloud platform, the most important thing to consider is what your business needs. Once you note the features you need, you can start comparing different platforms by using this guide.

Security, performance, compliance, and reliability are among the most important factors. When a platform has these, you can then focus on the cost and leave policy.

For more business technology advice, check out the other posts on our blog.