Rent or Colo? tips for new web host?

Do you rent your dedicated server from a hosting company, or do you own your equipment and use a colocation? im asking the above question more for curiosity.

Also, I have a Dell R210 II running ESXI with a E3-1280, 32gb ram, 250gb ssd, 1tb hdd sitting in a colo in downtown ATL. i currently have a cpanel VM on the box and i use it for my websites. im concidering getting a WHMCS license also and maybe trying to sell off some hosting. is it really worth it for someone who has a full time job elsewhere to get into web hosting? how much time do you spend maintaining your servers/supporting end users a week? I appreciate any advice or tips anyone can give on the matter.

 

It depends, sometimes we just need a server in other country or continent, in that situation rent server is much more reasonable choice.

 

Colocating your equipment is way cheaper on the long terms while renting is cheaper in short terms. If you only have few clients you won't have much time to dedicate to those client as long everything work nothing to worry but in case you're going into issue your client will expect you to be available 24/7 if you are working full time this won't be possible but then again with simply a few client it should be doable.

 

Colocation is for sure cheaper in long-term perspective, but as already said above you can not put your servers in other continent if its needed without going there or sending your server which is also pricey and risky.

 

The main question is do you plan to work for a long while or for short?

 

You have to understand what results you want to reach.

 

I prefer to rent. Yes price is higher, but you get not only hardware for hosting, but also service like support and management.

 

Renting is more expensive but it's worth it as you get support and help in any time you need it.
Just my two cents.

 

Any specific server location? Your server location must be close to the target location of your audience.