Not all internet storage services are created equal and with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to find one that meets all of your company’s backup needs. From pricing to additional features, here are six effective ways to compare online backup providers. What Is the Administrative Interface Like? Typically a web-based control panel, an online backup interface allows you to manage your all of your online data backups including setting up, executing, and retrieving the backups. Ask customer service reps from providers you are considering if they can show you a demo of how their interface works; it should be intuitive and easy to use with uncomplicated navigation. What Customer Service Platforms Do They Offer? If your office building suddenly burns down in the middle of the night on a weekend, it’s crucial that you have a backup provider who is available 24/7 to get you back up and running quickly. Be wary of any providers that only offer email support; any reputable, well-established service should offer a myriad of customer service solutions including email and telephone support 24 hours a day. How Much Storage Do They Provide? Most online file storage services offer packages based on data allotments (e.g. by number of gigabytes.). Determine how much storage you currently need and see if they offer an affordable package. You should also be able to easily upgrade to more storage space if needed. How Much Does The Service Cost? Of course, you also need to find out how much the service will cost based on the amount of storage you need. Find out if they charge a flat monthly fee and what other start-up or extra costs you may be charged. What Type of Files do They Support? This may seem obvious but make sure the online backup service supports the type of files you need to backup. Most providers support digital photos, MP3 files, text documents, and much more. Do They Offer a Free Service Trial? Many reputable online backup providers offer new users a free trial to test out their service. Take advantage of this so you can get a feel for how easy the service is to use and how well it works. This will also give you the opportunity to further test their customer services options. For more information, see 8 things small businesses should be backing up.
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