While technology has changed the way we live our lives, there are some advancements in technology that change the way we use it. Virtualization is one such technology. It has led to the creation of virtual servers and paved the way for VPS Hosting. A Virtual Private Server (VPS) uses virtualization to provide private resources on a server with multiple users. Web hosting companies use virtual servers to offer hosting services based on them.
VPS Hosting is a median between Shared Hosting and Dedicated Hosting. It is widely used by businesses, whose requirements have outgrown the Shared Web Hosting resources, but cannot afford a Dedicated Server.
When you decide to buy web hosting for your website, there are several factors that need consideration. If your analysis leads you to a VPS Hosting service, then you must research and find the best VPS Hosting plan for your site. But how do you decide if you need a VPS server?
Today, we will share some pointers to help you understand why and when you should or shouldn’t opt for a VPS.
Why you SHOULD consider using a VPS Server
Here are some scenarios when you should consider using a VPS Server:
1. You require root access to the server
On a VPS Hosting platform, you get full root access to the server. Having root access to the server gives you the ability to take full control of the server. Hence, you can edit server files and perform any other tasks without getting blocked due to a lack of adequate permission. You can host multiple websites, third-party software/applications, game servers, etc. You can also maintain it as per your preferences.
2. Your website exceeds the resource limits of your Shared Hosting plan
Shared Hosting is the most inexpensive way to host a website. A Shared Hosting server is like a ‘starter’ plan. For personal websites, blogs, and SME businesses, Shared Hosting servers make perfect business sense. However, with an increase in traffic, a Shared Host might fall short, thereby causing downtime. Hence, you should consider upgrading to VPS, as and when you anticipate regular traffic spikes.
You can check out the following video to understand the benefits of moving to a VPS Server: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PdyNO2mgTI
3. You’re processing financial transactions and handling sensitive data
In today’s digital world, securing financial transactions and handling sensitive data is difficult. Protecting the data from theft and vulnerability is a challenge. As your business grows, it is important to keep all the security checks in place. Your customers need to trust your website. A VPS Hosting Server is highly secure since each virtual server is isolated from the others, and the full root access allows you to install any third-party security software. Hence, if security is a concern, then migrating to a VPS Hosting plan makes sense.
Why you SHOULDN’T consider using a VPS Server
Here are some scenarios when moving to a VPS server is not necessary:
1. You’re hosting a low traffic website that doesn’t handle sensitive information
There are reasons why Shared Hosting services are preferred by most new and small websites. Shared Hosting plans can handle around 3000 visitors per day – a number that is large enough for small websites. Also, while VPS Hosting plans offer top-notch security, sites that do not handle sensitive content can work fine with Shared Hosting plans too. Hence, if your site has low traffic and non-critical data, then a VPS Hosting Server is not needed.
2. You’re a beginner and looking for basic hosting services
As mentioned earlier, for a beginner, a ‘starter’ plan like Shared Hosting is a better choice. For sites that do not need private resources, the cost may be prohibitive. While VPS Hosting is not as expensive as a Dedicated Server, it is not needed for sites with basic requirements.
Summing Up
VPS Web Hosting is one of the newer forms of web hosting that has gained popularity recently. While it is expected to be the next big thing in web hosting, many people are still unsure about the technology. They are unsure if it will suit their purposes and their web hosting needs. If you are considering buying a VPS Hosting plan, then ensure that you go through the points mentioned above and make an informed decision. Good Luck!