The Handbook of VPS Hosting: 5 Key Guidelines
VPS hosting is one of the newer options available to people looking to host their website. VPS stands for Virtual Private Server and is becoming an increasingly popular hosting solution.
A VPS is a server that is partitioned to have its own disc space, bandwidth, and operating system. All VPS’s originate from a physical server that resides in a data center. VPS hosting gives you access to the back end of your hosting operations allow you to allocate different amounts of resources in different areas. Instead of getting your hosting company to create custom packages for you, with a VPS you can control things like memory processing power and disc space.
If you’re looking for total control of your hosting environment, then the VPS hosting is a good solution for you. Even if you don’t need all the resources the VPS allows for, the amount of control you have over everything is worth the investment.
💻 1. What’s The Difference Between VPS Hosting & Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting allows several websites to be hosted in the same place. These websites aren’t related to each other, and you have to share your website’s IP address with other people. Shared hosting is the cheapest hosting option because of its open design. Shared hosting often has limits on bandwidth, disk space, and processing power.
The downside of shared hosting is you have to compete for resources with the other websites on the same shared hosting server. Once people figure out how to bring consistent traffic to their website, they often move away from shared hosting and opt for more secure options.
VPS hosting operates the same way as shared hosting; however, you are in control of everything. Just like with shared hosting, you can host several websites on your VPS; however, VPS’s have virtual compartments for each site, so there’s no competition for resources. With a VPS you can allocate how much memory, bandwidth and disk space each website is allowed to use.
💻 2. Should You Choose Managed Or Unmanaged VPS Hosting?
If you’re still new to web hosting, then a managed VPS is your best option. VPS’s require updates and protection from security threats. Managed VPS services automatically execute backups, software updates and virus scans to keep your server safe. Managed VPS services also track your performance data which gives you an idea of loading times, uptime and other metrics related to performance.
Unmanaged VPS hosting puts all of the above tasks in your hands. This is the best option for people who already know how to install and manage VPS software. Unmanaged VPS services still come with customer support you can use to help you overcome problems. However, if you choose unmanaged hosting, it’s assumed you know what you’re doing.
💻 3. If You Feel The Need To Control Aspects Of Your Hosting Plan
With shared hosting things like the operating system, RAM and control panel program are out of your hands. If you have a busy website, it’s in your best interest to use a VPS to take careful control of your hosting resources.
💻 4. If A Dedicated Server Isn’t In Your Budget
Dedicated servers are the next step up from a VPS. If you have an extremely busy website with lots of bandwidth demands but can’t afford a dedicated server, a VPS is a reliable alternative.
💻 5. If Your Website Is Consistently Growing
Once you hit around 100 visitors a day, your website has outgrown shared hosting. No amount of content and image optimization will save you from long loading times. Consider switching to a VPS before your traffic forcibly outgrows shared hosting.