How to Choose the Right SQL Hosting Provider—7 Questions to Ask
Hosting SQL Server
How to Choose the Right SQL Hosting Provider — 7 Critical Questions to Ask
Selecting a SQL Server hosting provider is about more than finding server space—it's about ensuring performance, security, scalability, and peace of mind. Whether you're transitioning from an on-premise setup or launching a new cloud-based application, it's crucial to ask the right questions before making your decision.
At Winning Solutions, Inc. (WSI), we understand that hosting isn't just infrastructure—it's a partnership. Below are seven key questions every business should ask a potential SQL Server hosting provider—along with how WSI answers each one.
- 1️⃣ Is the Hosting Fully Managed?
Many hosting providers offer basic server space without support. A fully managed service should include backups, updates, performance tuning, and monitoring.
✅ WSI Answer: Yes! We offer fully managed hosting so you can focus on development—not IT headaches.
- 2️⃣ How Often Are Backups Performed?
Frequent backups are essential to protect against data loss or system failure.
✅ WSI Answer: We perform daily backups with 1-week data retention, ensuring your data is safe and recoverable.
- 3️⃣ What Security Measures Are in Place?
Your provider should implement encryption, access control, and infrastructure hardening.
✅ WSI Answer: We follow industry best practices for security, including encrypted access and hardened hosting environments.
- 4️⃣ Can I Scale Over Time?
As your data needs grow, your hosting plan should grow with it—without downtime or reconfiguration nightmares.
✅ WSI Answer: Absolutely. We offer scalable solutions and flexible upgrades to support your growth.
- 5️⃣ Will It Work with My Existing Applications?
Whether you’re using Microsoft Access, .NET applications, or third-party platforms, integration is critical.
✅ WSI Answer: Yes! Our infrastructure is designed to support Access front-ends, .NET applications, and even IIS-hosted web forms.
- 6️⃣ Is Development Support Available?
Hosting is only part of the picture—having expert developers on standby makes a huge difference when something breaks or needs to be improved.
✅ WSI Answer: We have in-house Microsoft Access, .NET, and SQL Server developers who are ready to help. No outsourcing.
- 7️⃣ What’s the Real Cost?
Watch out for hidden fees, user caps, or data transfer limits.
✅ WSI Answer: Transparent pricing. $45/month for SQL Server hosting. Add .NET web form hosting for just $15/month.
Conclusion: Don’t settle for bare-bones hosting. Choose a provider who understands your stack and supports your growth. WSI is your full-service SQL Server hosting and development partner.
Ready to get started or need more information? Contact Us today for a free quote or consultation.