Are you curious about which type of web hosting best suits your needs?
With a wide range of features, applications, pricing and more from many different vendors, it can be difficult for a novice to choose the right option.
Even some of the most prominent IT teams and startups regularly switch to different hosts since technological improvements create new cost-benefit solutions.
If established businesses are bouncing around from one web host to another, how exactly do you differentiate options available to you?
Let’s start with the basics. VPS is short for virtual private server. VPS for web hosting gives users access to a dedicated server that doesn’t share space with anyone else. However, if you don’t mind sharing a portion of a server, as many customers do, that’s a great option as well.
Let’s check out the differences between the two and highlight the pros and cons of both.
When to Choose a Dedicated Server
Since a website in a dedicated server has its server all to itself, the user will gain more power and flexibility.
Here are the main advantages of a dedicated server.
High Traffic
Will the business be booming? Does your art gallery attract many views every week? If you think your website will grow quickly, you should opt for a dedicated server.
Not everyone would benefit from a dedicated server as much as others. Do you know for certain that a large amount of activity (visits, sales, etc.) will come your way?
Dedicated servers are the best option for this, along with advanced security features and faster load times.
Security
Every website needs a strong security system. If a website handles sensitive data such as credit card numbers, confidential emails, or private customer information, a robust security system must protect their website from viruses, hacks, and other risks.
Pay attention to hosts who offer fully-managed and semi-managed maintenance plans!
Optimal Page Loading Times
One of the most visual experiences website visitors notice is loading times. How many times have you waited for a webpage to load for over 3 seconds (an eternity in internet time) and canceled it? This can lead to low engagement and possible revenue loss for your business.
If your budget can handle a dedicated server and it seems like it will fit your needs, consider choosing this option.
Pros of Physical Servers
- Full access to dedicated server resources (high-demand or business-critical operations)
- Conveniently-located facilities are available
- Advanced customer service
Cons of Dedicated Servers
- Pricier than a virtual server
- Will cost more to increase storage if the workload grows
- It requires physical space.
When to Choose a Virtual Server
Virtual servers are great options for low-cost web hosting needs. Instead of depending on a separate computer, virtual servers around the world can share one physical server. Surprisingly, performance doesn’t suffer too noticeably, unless too many virtual servers share the same computer.
Switching to a virtual server is also a painless process. Hosting vendors offer secure cloud services to handle the switch on their side.
Pros of Virtual Servers
- Much cheaper since physical hardware is not necessary
- More environmentally-friendly (shared workloads)
- Less configuration and maintenance costs
- Less dependent on in-house IT talent.
- Expert assistance on setup, configuration, and maintenance
Cons of Virtual Servers
- In some cases, higher recurring monthly costs
- Seldom application compatibility issues
- Must examine vendor policies and service level agreements
- Not in total control of your physical server
The growth and sophistication of virtual servers exploded recently. Even though dedicated servers offer more for power users, not everyone needs that much power and customization.
The democratization of web hosting seems to give access to millions of people with a variety of needs. No matter which you choose, make sure you know your needs before going forward with a vendor.
