The 5 Common Mistakes When Comparing Colocation Offers
Comparing colocation offers is a bit like choosing an apartment remotely: on paper, everything seems perfect… until you discover the highway view and hidden fees.
In the datacenter world, it's the same. Many companies stop at the numbers or commercial promises and miss the real criteria that make the difference in the long run.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes we see on Datalok, and more importantly, how to avoid them to choose an offer that truly fits your needs.
1. Focusing solely on the price per sqm or per U
This is the number one reflex. We line up prices in an Excel spreadsheet and compare the price per sqm or per U (rack unit).
Problem: this number says nothing about the real value of the offer.
A datacenter can be cheaper… because it offers less:
- Less electrical redundancy,
- Less power per rack,
- Fewer available operators,
- Or simply fewer included services.
💡 The right approach: look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) and not just the displayed price. A "more expensive" offer can be much more cost-effective if it guarantees better availability, fewer outages, and less stress for your teams.
2. Ignoring actual SLAs and their compensations
SLAs (Service Level Agreements) are a bit like insurance terms: everyone says they read them, but few actually do.
Yet, a "99.9% availability" can hide many subtleties: over what period is it calculated? what exclusions? what compensations in case of failure?
💡 The right approach: ask for details. A serious provider should be able to explain in black and white how their SLA applies and what you gain (or don't) in case of an incident. A good SLA is a clear contract.
3. Underestimating latency and connectivity
The cheapest datacenter isn't always the closest or the best connected. Applications slowing down? Before blaming your infrastructure, check network latency and the quality of your interconnections: that's often where the problem lies.
💡 The right approach: test network latency between the datacenter and your users, then verify available interconnections, present operators, and direct cloud access. Geographic proximity to your main usage points also matters. A slightly more expensive but ultra-connected site with optimal latency will save you much more in the long run: fewer user complaints, fewer support tickets, better performance.
4. Not anticipating scalability
Today, you need two racks. Tomorrow, your infrastructure doubles, you add a GPU cluster, or you launch a new critical service… and then, no more space, no more available power, no more options.
💡 The right approach: ask the question from the start: "If I double my footprint in 12 months, can you keep up?"
A good partner must be able to support you over time: adjacent space, scalable power, contractual flexibility… otherwise, you'll have to start all over again.
5. Neglecting certifications and compliance
Certifications (ISO 27001, HDS, PCI-DSS, Tier III…) aren't just logos on a brochure. They guarantee that the datacenter follows recognized security and business continuity procedures. And in certain sectors (finance, healthcare, public services), it's absolutely mandatory.
💡 The right approach: verify current certifications, their exact scope, and the date of the last audit. A datacenter certified on paper but not up to date is like an expired antivirus.
In summary
Comparing colocation offers isn't just a battle of numbers. It's a balancing act between cost, performance, resilience, and support. The five errors above recur often because they rely on a simple reflex: comparing numbers before comparing needs.
At Datalok, we help you see clearly by objectively comparing colocation offers, with the right criteria, at the right price.
👉 Use the Datalok marketplace: save weeks of analysis and find the datacenter that fits you, without drowning in quotes.
PS: There are many other mistakes to avoid (which will deserve a future article!):
- Not visiting the facilities
- Forgetting to evaluate electrical and network redundancy
- Ignoring geographic location and risks
- Not reading termination clauses and notice periods
- Forgetting migration costs
Stay tuned, we'll talk about it again very soon.