Is your website reaching the limits of your current shared hosting plan but you’re not earning enough to justify the cost of a dedicated server? If so, a virtual private server (VPS) is likely the right choice for you. This is a great choice for sites with high traffic and lacking the staff required to manage a dedicated server.
What is VPS?
Virtual private servers come in two basic forms. The original setup is on a single server divided up using virtualization software. This software allows an administrator to assign resources (memory, CPU and storage) to operating systems that run on the virtual machine. Now that cloud computing has become so popular, there are many services that offer a cloud-based VPS. This second type of configuration combines the resources of several servers to create a computing cloud. The resources of the cloud are then assigned to virtual machines running on the cloud platform. Either of these VPS configurations will offer greater performance over shared hosting, but a cloud-based VPS offers greater scalability and stability.
VPS Resources & Support Options
With a dedicated server, you need to have the IT resources required to setup and maintain the system. This includes installing software, defending the system from hackers and updating any software you’re using. While shared hosting comes with an IT team that will take care of these things for you, this option does not allow for any customization. In both of these cases, support is very limited.
Virtual private servers offer a middle ground between shared hosting and a dedicated server. You get the IT support needed to keep the server online and protect your server from hackers. However, you also have the ability to install and manage any software you need on your VPS. This gives you greater data privacy and greater flexibility with the IT support you need.
Do I need a VPS?
If your site is getting more than a couple hundred visitors a day, then it’s time to start thinking about moving up to a virtual private server. Shared hosting plans are not designed to handle large amounts of traffic. However, the expense of a dedicated server cannot be justified if your site isn’t getting massive amounts of traffic. When you’re in this middle area and your site is getting a decent amount of traffic, VPS hosting is the right choice. Beyond high traffic websites, there are other server configuration options that make shared hosting a bad choice. In these cases, you can hand over the money to pay for a dedicated server or you can install the software you need on a virtual private server.
Virtual private servers are the best option for websites with high traffic that do not require dedicated servers. They provide a balance of customization, dedicated resources and IT support that allows your site to continue growing. Best of all, the cost of a VPS hosting plan is far less than the price of a dedicated server. This also makes a virtual private server a great alternative to a dedicated server when you need to setup custom applications.