How to choose an online storage service
Online storage service is fast becoming another essential service like broadband internet access, mobile phone service and more. The good news is that today, there are a plethora of service providers to choose from that will hopefully keep rates and quality of service in check.
Some of the major online storage service providers are Dropbox, Mozy, SugarSync, SkyDrive, Carbonite, SpiderOak, Google Drive. This only represents a few of the many service providers out there. So we really have a lot of options. How do we go about choosing the right service provider for our needs and budget? That takes a bit of time and effort, but here are some tips to help speed up the process.
Backup or synchronization service Note: Some service providers are primarily an online backup service, while others only provide a sync service. Some provide both quite well. The difference is that the sync service usually designates a folder on your computer as the sync folder. Any files added, edited or deleted within this folder remain in sync and available on all your computers and mobile devices where the service is installed. For backups, look more for secure off-site storage for your data to protect against fire, flood, theft, earthquake and other natural disasters. In backups, you typically look for different features, such as larger storage space, the ability to specify multiple folders and files to back up, the ability to define backup sets or jobs, backup frequency, limitation of bandwidth and more.
service fees: This is a good place to narrow down your search. Many offer free basic storage of about 2GB to 7GB. When you get past that, you typically have to get into one of their paid plans. Some are very reasonable, but others are really jacking up your rates, especially when you need more storage space after signing up. Some don’t even want to post their rates. Don’t go for the cheapest, but it doesn’t make sense to pay more than you need either. Basically looking for good value for money.
Supported platformsNote: Most service providers support Windows and Apple Mac. If you also need Linux support, you should make sure they have support for this.
Compatible mobile devices– You will want to access your files and media on your mobile devices like iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and phones, BlackBerry, etc. However, not all service providers support all of these devices. Therefore, you must check that your mobile devices are compatible with the chosen service provider.
Security and encryption: If any security or encryption technology is used when the data is uploaded from your computer to the cloud server and also when it is stored on the storage server.
Share files and folders: Many of these services allow you to share your files and folders with other people. For example, you may want to share some images with someone else. Instead of sending an email as an email attachment (which could clog up their inbox), you can provide them with a public link to the folder that contains these photos.
Terms of Service (TOS): Many of us have been guilty of subscribing to services without reading the ten pages of fine print. However, this is one time where I think we should read the Terms of Service, as they pertain to our valuable and perhaps very private digital content. So read the fine print this time, especially regarding the privacy and security of your data, as different service providers have different terms regarding this. Think about what you’re going to store and make sure you’re comfortable with TOS. Also note that for very private content, there are ways to encrypt your data yourself before uploading it to your online storage server.
Customer service and support: Is there a customer service portal or helpdesk? Is there a good FAQ or knowledge base so you can help yourself? Is there a video tutorial? Can you get help if you have problems? Is there any email, chat or phone support available?
These tips should help you make a more informed decision when choosing an online storage service provider for your needs. Happy hunting.