For many people who are starting out with their own website, whether for private use or for a small business e-commerce enterprise, shared hosting is the perfect solution. However there are times when a shared web host is not the right pacakge for your website and you should consider one of the other available options. VPS hosting (virtual private server hosting) is an option which may cost you a little more than shared hosting but comes with a host of other benefits that may be better suited to the requirements of your website.Virtual server hosting provides the user with their own server within a larger server that comes with its own independent resources including its own disk space and RAM. Whereas with a shared server you will have to share all the available resources with a number of other users who may take a larger or smaller share depending on their needs, with a VPS web hosting you get all the resources that you have paid for entirely for your own use. VPS hosting is like a halfway house between a dedicated server and shared hosting, but comes with many of the benefits of a dedicated server at a price that is only sightly more than some shared hostings. You may want to consider using virtual private server hosting if you need higher CPU resources than a shared hosting provider can offer you, as even on a so-called unlimited plan you will almost certainly find that if you use too many resources your account will be suspended. VPS hosting may also be the right choice for you if you require more security for your website than a shared hosting can offer you.
What are the Benefits of Virtual Private Server Hosting?
There are several benefits of choosing virtual server hosting over the other options available. One of the issues is cost. If you feel that you need more resources than shared hosting can offer you, VPS hosting is a cheaper alternative to a dedicated server with the added bonus that many of the best VPS hosting sites allow you to customise your package to meet your precise needs so that you only pay for the features that are essential to your website. VPS web hosting is also known to be scalable, so you can expand and increase your use of resources as and when you require them. This means that you can start off small and eventually, if the need arises, grow and increase the hosting plan that you have chosen at a later date. When compared with shared hosting, you will also benefit from much greater control over your virtual server, probably enjoying root access and the option to utilise scripts that may not be available in a shared hosting plan. Usually when you opt for virtual private server hosting you can get the same level of technical support as you can enjoy when you use a shared hosting so you can get any essential assistance as and when you need it without having to come up with your own technical solutions.
What are the Disadvantages of Choosing Virtual Web Hosting?
While there are lots of positives to choosing virtual web hosting there are some drawbacks too. Cost can be a factor here if you do not actually need the features of a VPS hosting. VPS hosting is definitely more costly than a shared hosting alternative, so if you actually have no need of your own virtual private server you would do well to limit your costs and opt for a shared hosting instead. Although the best VPS hosting sites are reliable to use, some providers oversell their space and do not allocate their resources correctly, relying on not every site on the server utilising their full allowance of resources. This means that there can be problems if the majority of the websites start to use everything within their allowance as the server will slow down, affecting every site using the virtual server. Try to find out before you pay for your hosting the maximum number of websites that will be using the server at any one time. Unmanaged VPS hosting will also require the user to have some advanced technical knowledge and monitoring, maintaining and controlling the server may be beyond the skills of a newcomer to running a website. Even for someone with the required abilities, the effort and time it can take to keep the server secure and reliable may be prohibitive. When you opt for shared hosting meanwhile, this side of running your website is all taken care of by the hosting provider.
Should I Switch to A VPS Hosting?
If you already have a website with a shared hosting provider, you may think it is time to upgrade to a virtual private server hosting if the amount of traffic you have visiting your website is too high for a shared host. If your site is expanding and attracting more traffic than your package will allow you, you will probably be notified by your provider and this may be the clue that you need to switch to a VPS hosting. If your website now has the need for increased security options such as SSH or you need better monitoring or more frequent backups, the reliability of your website will be increased by choosing a virtual web hosting. Another reason to switch to a virtual server hosting is if you now require increased control and better access to install customised software or to limit user access to your website.
Which Factors Need to be Considered When Choosing the Best VPS Hosting
If you have decided a virtual server hosting is right for your website, there are some factors to consider when making your choice.
Operating System
Some applications in your website may be incompatible with either Windows or Linux operating systems. Make sure you choose a server with the correct operating system for your website to function correctly
Management
You could choose either a managed or an unmanaged VPS hosting and your choice will depend on your technical skills. If you think you can handle all the maintenance and management of your server independently then you can opt for unmanaged hosting, however if your technical skills are not up to scratch you will need to look carefully for a managed hosting provider who can offer the level of management you require to meet your needs.
Speed and RAM
To ensure your site is running at maximum speed and efficiency you will need a package with at least 512 MB of RAM and preferably over 1 GB. You should also go for a provider that can guarantee you 99.95% uptime to ensure your site is a reliable as possible.
Customer Support
However good your technical skills, it still makes sense to choose the best VPS hosting which offer 24 hour customer support, just in case you have a problem or issue that you cannot rectify yourself. Choose a company with access via several methods including telephone, email and online chat.
Price
Before you decide on a VPS hosting package you should identify exactly what features and specifications your website requires to function as to its best potential and then compare deals to find the plan that offers all the essentials at a price you are prepared to pay. In general, a basic package for around 20 GB of disk space and 1 GB of RAM will cost you upwards of $8 per month. Before you make any final decisions as to which VPS hosting provider to choose, be sure that VPS web hosting is definitely the right choice for your website as often a shared hosting package will meet the needs of many websites. Remember to keep in mind how your site may expand and develop in the future in order to keep your hosting futureproofed. Once you are certain that you are making the right choice, remember to identify your needs and compare all the available options before committing to a supplier and then you can be sure of finding the right package to meet your websites needs.