Firstly, availability and reliability are crucial; the uptime guarantee provided by the service level agreement (SLA) is evaluated. A high percentage indicates better service continuity.
Secondly, scalability is assessed to ensure that the provider can handle increased workloads when necessary. This includes evaluating their infrastructure and ability to provide additional resources quickly.
Thirdly, security measures implemented by the provider are examined. This involves reviewing their data encryption methods, compliance certifications, and physical security measures at data centers.
Fourthly, I consider the speed of the service, including latency and bandwidth. These factors directly impact user experience and productivity.
Lastly, customer support quality is important. The provider should have a responsive and knowledgeable team available 24/7.