Web hosting is a core component of any website’s infrastructure.
Whether you’re a small personal blog or a company with an online store, your website lives on a server that stores the content and files related to your site.
VPS is quickly becoming the new standard for high-performance web hosting services.
It provides more control over your hosting environment.
We want to introduce you to the concept of VPS hosting and show you how it can benefit your website.
We’ll also detail what makes a VPS different and the pros and cons of choosing a VPS over other types of web hosting.
- What Is a VPS?
- How Does Virtual Private Servers Work?
- What are the Differences Between VPS and Other Web Hosting Types?
- What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of VPS?
- When Should You Use a Virtual Private Server?
- How To Choose a VPS Hosting Plan For Your Site
- How Much Does a VPS Hosting Cost?
- Are Virtual Private Servers Worth Using?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Is a VPS?
VPS is a “Virtual Private Server” and refers to a virtualized version of a physical computer.
It includes its operating system, memory, processor, hard drive or hard drives, and any other software or hardware resources you need to run your site.
There are two types of VPS:
- Unmanaged VPS: Unmanaged VPS are virtual servers the customer is responsible for managing, including complete root access and control over the server. The vendor only provides the server and primary operating system (OS).
- Managed VPS: The vendor manages the VPS, takes care of all the services they provide, and allows customers to focus on running their sites. These services include backup, security, software updates, storage, maintenance, and administrative services.
How Does Virtual Private Servers Work?
Virtualization is a simple concept. It relies on software’s ability to emulate a physical computer while running on the same machine.
The software simulates the operating system and all the applications available to users on a physical server as if installed locally.
VPS providers use a hypervisor to simulate a dedicated server hosting environment.
The hypervisor is a virtual layer that mimics the physical server’s operating system and allows multiple virtual machines to run simultaneously.
What are the Differences Between VPS and Other Web Hosting Types?
Web hosting service providers provide three different types of hosting services:
In shared hosting, the provider stores and manages all files for the customer.
You upload files from your end, but the host server provides all services.
The most common configuration is a single user with limited access to a single server at a fixed monthly price.
Shared hosting differs from VPS hosting because it only provides essential services to many users.
2. VPS Vs. Dedicated Hosting
On the other hand, dedicated hosting provides users with complete control over their server, including assured bandwidth and any hardware that belongs to the user.
These powerful machines host large-scale businesses and high-traffic websites.
In dedicated hosting, you rent an entire server and have exclusive access to that hardware.
Clients with unique needs who require control beyond what VPS hosting can provide may opt for dedicated hosting.
3. VPS Vs. Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting splits hardware resources into multiple virtualized servers.
It provides near-infinite resources to users and various tools for infrastructure management and deployment.
The cloud hosting option is similar to VPS hosting as it utilizes virtualization.
However, it uses an interconnected cloud structure of multiple virtual machines or cloud servers.
Servers in the cloud are redundant, so a server may fail without affecting any other users.
4. VPS Vs. WordPress Hosting
WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS) used on websites.
Users widely utilize it to make a site interactive or dynamic by allowing users to update and manage content on their website quickly.
Managed WordPress hosts allow users to install plugins that take the power of customization and modification of content with ease.
If you decide on a VPS for your WordPress site, you can build and modify your hosting environment with plugins and customizations to suit your individual needs.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of VPS?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of VPS hosting:
Advantages of VPS Hosting
Here are some advantages:
- VPS hosting is faster than shared hosting.
- VPS provides greater scalability and flexibility. As your website grows, you can easily upgrade to more resources.
- VPS hosting has a comparatively low cost compared to other solutions, such as dedicated hosting.
- VPS hosting is an excellent option for website builders and developers as it is easy to configure and control, including complete root access.
Disadvantages of VPS Hosting
Here are some possible drawbacks:
- VPS services are more expensive than shared web hosting.
- VPS hosting requires considerable technical skills and knowledge. Failure to maintain your VPS properly can slow your site down or lead to security breaches.
When Should You Use a Virtual Private Server?
Virtual private servers are ideal for business or startup websites that need to support many simultaneous users.
Here are situations where you should use a VPS over a different service:
1. You’re Managing an Online Store
Online stores are notorious for their high traffic levels.
These stores require a powerful server to store all their product information, including images, and to facilitate easy checkout processes.
They also need a fast server for smooth browsing and speedy delivery.
A VPS is ideal if your company has many products to sell or needs frequent product updates.
It can help with this as it provides you with more powerful hardware to handle high-volume traffic.
2. You Encounter Server Errors
If you are a small business or DIY website, chances are the server of your web hosting provider is busy.
When server errors occur, your website can crash or become sluggish.
A VPS solves this problem as it provides you with your dedicated machine that does not have any constraints and provides instant access to the server.
Your web visitors do not have to wait for their requests, bringing your website to life.
3. Your Main Concern Is the Security
Some of the biggest threats to your website are security breaches.
Many hacks trace back to outdated or poorly-configured servers.
A virtual server affords you complete control and security of your server, which makes it much safer than shared hosting.
If you do not feel comfortable with the secrecy of a shared web hosting provider, a dedicated machine can keep your content secure.
4. You Need To Install Custom Software
A VPS can help you achieve high-performance levels with more flexibility than shared hosting.
With this hosting, you have root access to the server and can install any software needed for your business.
The VPS is a good option if you want to install software, like a CMS or an eCommerce solution.
It lets you control and manage your system, resulting in better performance.
5. Increasing Popularity of Your Website
As the popularity of your website increases, the server requirements also go up.
The server has to cope with more traffic and support many users with updates and other necessary maintenance.
A dedicated virtual machine means you get more powerful hardware, and it also gives you greater control over your system.
You can install new software, update the website and make it more efficient.
6. You’re on a Budget
Increased traffic and are compelling needs to upgrade from a shared hosting platform.
It would be best if you had a more robust solution to take your website to the next level and sustain growth.
A virtual server allows you to scale your business, which means you can grow at an affordable rate.
It is a relatively less expensive option compared to dedicated hosting.
7. You Build Websites For Your Clients
You can use a virtual machine to make your clients happy.
With VPS, you can host unlimited websites for your clients by ensuring each site has enough resources.
You can configure the server to their needs and requirements and customize the hosting to offer them a smooth-running website with fast and reliable access.
How To Choose a VPS Hosting Plan For Your Site
Choosing a VPS hosting plan can be challenging.
There are many providers in the market, and it is essential to choose a VPS hosting company that has the following qualities:
1. Customer Support
While you may be knowledgeable about VPS, the technical aspects of use can be challenging, especially for beginners.
If anything goes wrong and the setup does not work as expected, you need access to excellent and prompt customer support.
Do they provide technical support?
What are the hours of response?
A good VPS hosting provider should have a dedicated customer support service available 24/7.
The best providers offer email support, live chat, or phone support.
2. Reliability
Reliability is a crucial issue to consider, and a VPS hosting provider should be able to deliver on their promised services.
They should not have much downtime; when it goes down, it should only be for a brief moment.
A reliable service provider should have a solid track record of delivering speedy, efficient, and secure services.
Check the overall reviews and comments on social media and online communities to see if the platform is dependable.
3. Security
Your website is probably one of the most critical assets of your business, and you need a VPS hosting company that understands this.
A good VPS hosting company will offer security features such as firewalls, patch management, and strict control of remote access.
The provider will also offer a strict privacy policy to protect your web content and contact information.
4. Hardware
There are many kinds of VPS hosting hardware, each with its respective technical specifications and performance.
A reputable VPS hosting company will let you choose the hardware that makes the most sense for your website.
Select the fastest web hosting with processors and memory, such as SSDs, that still meet your budget.
Make sure the hardware will fit your needs and requirements to enjoy better performance.
5. Linux/Windows
VPS hosting allows you to choose which operating system you want to use.
Consider the specific applications you will use on your VPS website, and select a provider that offers the operating system best suited for it.
Linux is the most popular operating system for hosting servers.
It offers flexibility, low cost, adaptability, and lower resource requirements than Windows servers.
6. Backup
VPS hosting becomes more comprehensive when you consider the backup service.
Your VPS hosting provider should offer an automatic backup service if anything happens to your data.
The system should be able to restore your data quickly once you fix the failure.
7. Storage Space & Bandwidth
Storage space and bandwidth are essential to running a website.
Your VPS hosting plan may offer a certain amount of storage space and bandwidth, and you can upgrade or downgrade the package as needed.
How Much Does a VPS Hosting Cost?
VPS hosting varies in price depending on the hardware specifications and server environment.
The price ranges from $30 to $400 a month, but you can also find hosting packages for as low as $4 a month.
Are Virtual Private Servers Worth Using?
Virtual private servers are typically more expensive than shared hosting.
However, they are worth using if you need more control over your server and resources.
A VPS hosting platform allows you to customize your needs and requirements, making it more convenient for you to run the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions on VPS hosting:
Is VPS hosting free?
Yes, some providers offer free accounts with limited resources and bandwidth. However, not all VPS hosting is free.
Is a VPS good for web hosting?
With the right provider, VPS hosting is an excellent option for web hosting.
Wrapping Up
Web hosting is a complicated process that can be overwhelming when you start.
Virtual server hosting is an excellent option for website owners.
It offers flexibility, control over your system and resources, and affordability.
VPS hosting can be the best choice for businesses experiencing a massive increase in traffic or users.
It is also ideal for individuals or companies that need a stable and secure hosting provider.
Use our hosting finder to find your business’s best VPS hosting solution.
