Your site has been crawled every evening at 8:00 P.M. by the support team, which has repeatedly stated that this is due to “high load.” You are unable to install the software required for your site to function correctly. This is when many users begin considering a vps server.
A virtual private server (VPS) will provide you with a specific amount of space on a server that cannot be accessed by anyone else. Although this type of hosting is more expensive than shared hosting, it is significantly less expensive than leasing an entire physical server. Before purchasing a VPS, here are some things I would look at.
Shared hosting or VPS?
On shared hosting, there are many websites located on the same server that compete for the same resources (CPU and RAM). If your neighbor gets a lot of traffic due to a popular article, your website will be affected by this as well.
A VPS is basically just a single computer that has been broken down into several smaller computers called “virtual machines.” You own your share of processing power and memory on that machine, and have full administrative (root) control over what can be installed on your part of the computer. However, the trade-off is that you will usually pay more for a VPS than other types of web hosting, and in many cases, will spend more time managing it.
If you’re still a small site that receives only a few hundred visitors each day, shared hosting is sufficient. When you’re ready to grow beyond what shared hosting offers, or if you plan to launch a store or an application, then it’s time to find a better hosting solution.
How much server do you need?
Too little and the site drags. Too much and you pay for hardware that sits idle.
For a blog or small business website, 2 CPU cores and 2-4 GB of RAM will typically suffice. A larger number of cores/RAM will be required for e-commerce sites and high traffic applications. Since WordPress has many components that use memory (plugins, caching and the database), RAM should be one of the areas where you are less likely to make cuts.
Choose NVMe storage if you can. It’s significantly faster than previous generations of drives, and speed is an important factor in search rankings. Ensure that when you upgrade your storage, it only requires one click, and not a full migration.
Managed or unmanaged
Unmanaged means you get a “naked” server. You will be installing all of your own software, patching your own system, and fixing issues with the server yourself. This type of service is typically less expensive than other types of services, and many developers prefer this option.
Managed means that the host will monitor the server, update software on the server and create backups. That service costs more than a non-managed hosting plan. If you are not into managing servers then this is worth paying for. There are many people who begin with a managed hosting plan and then move to a non-managed hosting plan after they become familiar with how to manage a server.
Regular VPS or cloud VPS
A standard VPS is hosted on a single computer. On the other hand, a cloud VPS operates using multiple computers that form a network. This means that a user can easily change the size of their server within a few minutes. Additionally, if there is an issue with one of the computers in the network, then another computer will take its place.
A good rule of thumb is: If you run a store with large seasonal fluctuations in demand, go to the cloud. On the other hand, if your customer base remains relatively constant throughout the entire year, then a standard virtual private server (VPS) will cost you less and work just as effectively.
Operating system and control panel
Linux, such as Ubuntu or Debian, is more cost effective and uses less resources; it works well with WordPress, Docker, and almost all types of database systems. Windows only should be considered when there is a requirement for.NET applications or SQL Server.
If you’re looking for a control panel similar to cPanel, first make sure that your host supports it. Next, review the pricing closely. There are some hosts that require you to pay an additional monthly license fee in addition to your plan.
Uptime, location and support
When looking for a hosting provider, you should look for one that offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, as well as a written commitment to refunding you for any time that is lost when that guarantee is not met. Also, choose a hosting provider with a data center located as close to as many of your visitors as possible. Finally, consider using a content delivery network (CDN) if your audience is located in different parts of the world.
Test the customer support offered by each host prior to making a purchase. Ask a pre-sale question, then measure the response time. An individual answering a call for help at 2:00 am, when your website is offline, is more valuable than having a slight performance advantage (benchmark). In my opinion, I would choose an average server with excellent support over a fast server with poor support on every occasion.
Security basics
The host handles the firewall and DDoS filtering. Everything else lands on you:
- Switch on daily backups, and take a snapshot before big changes.
- Log in with SSH keys, not passwords.
- Keep the system and your software updated.
- Shut off services you don’t use.
A few hours of this stops most common attacks.
Hidden costs
Introductory prices can be a little misleading. Be sure to check what the renewal price is before you buy; some hosts will double the renewal price in year two. Find out how much the host charges for backup services, additional IP addresses, transferring your site from your previous host, and if you exceed your bandwidth. A money-back period is an affordable way to test out the server using your actual site.
FAQ
Why choose a VPS instead of shared hosting?
Shared hosting is where all of the users are fighting for the same resources. With a VPS, the resource that you have purchased is reserved for you. This typically results in a faster running website, improved security, and more space to expand as the number of visitors to your site increases.
What should I check before picking a VPS provider?
Consider the following when selecting a hosting provider: Uptime, speed, customer support, cost, and location of their data centers. Also review real user experiences. A hosting provider that meets your requirements and provides timely responses is better than one that is merely the least expensive.
Why does server location matter?
The faster your site will load for people, the closer your server is to where they are. Having a server that is located too far away from where your users are located will cause delays, and this can be very frustrating to your visitors. Therefore, you should select a data center that is as close as possible to the area in which the majority of your user base resides.
How does a cloud VPS help when my site grows?
A cloud VPS is powered by many interconnected machines rather than just a single machine. Therefore, if there are sudden increases in the number of visitors to your website, you can easily increase the amount of available resources. Furthermore, should any individual machine experience difficulties, then other machines will assume its role, thus keeping your website operational.
Final thoughts
Estimate the amount of actual traffic you will receive, determine if you wish to manage the server yourself, and compare different providers based upon their uptime, level of support, security measures and total annual cost (including renewal fees). Utilize the money-back guarantee period to evaluate the selected provider. Select a package that allows for expansion.
