As your online business grows and the number of sites in your portfolio increases, you would want to move your sites into your own dedicated server. Dedicated hosting servers come in two flavors - managed and unmanaged. A managed server implies that the hosting company continues to support the server even after your renting it. Any technical issues on the server will be handled by them. On the other hand, an unmanaged server has to be managed by you. At most, the hosting company could reboot the system - sometimes they charge you for that too. This is why the cost of an unmanaged dedicated server is so below the one that is managed. This short article is a guide to buying an unmanaged dedicated server.

1. Find more about the company by reading reviews on webhosting forums/sites
2. Find out if they have any hidden charges in the fine print (it is not unusual)
3. Find out the charges per hour in case you need to approach them for help
4. Find the cost for other accesories that you may need (like increased diskspace, extra IP’s etc)
5. Find out how fast they will replace failed hardware
6. Call at odd times to find if the onsite technicians exist physically

Finally, find out the difference in prices between managed and unmanaged servers to decide whether the differential makes it worthwhile to go for an unmanaged dedicated server. A lot of times you will be surprised by the benefit in doing the things you do best and letting other professionals do theirs!