If you have surpassed your shared hosting solution and are looking to upgrade your hosting needs for better site performance and reliability, you should consider switching to VPS hosting. VPS, or virtual private server hosting, operates and performs similarly to an independent physical machine, except that it is divided into multiple “virtual servers.” Hence, each user can host their site independently from the neighbor on the virtual server and exercise enhanced control over the hosting environment.
Since you do not share a server with your neighbors on the parent server, VPS hosting offers you enhanced control over the server. It provides you with root access, installing and updating your software, performing backups, customizing the control panel, running batch files, and updating software according to your requirements. You can exercise enhanced control over shared hosting and choose to run your app whenever you like. The virtual environment consists of defined memory and bandwidth allocations, and if you expect a sudden traffic surge for your website, it can seamlessly handle the incoming traffic. Hence, it ensures business continuity and helps to operate as usual without facing downtime.
VPS Hosting generally comes with a dedicated IP address, and root access enables you to implement advanced security measures in your server environment. While it is a little expensive than shared hosting, it is still more affordable than dedicated hosting. When choosing your VPS hosting provider, you need to consider various factors. Each hosting provider gives varying management levels and other features for your VPS. To select the best VPS server provider, consider the following points.
Managed Or Unmanaged
The web hosting providers may offer a choice to choose between Managed or Unmanaged VPS plans. In fully managed VPS, the service provider is responsible for managing your server. If you want to focus better on the growth of your website and be less bothered by the technical responsibility, Managed VPS is a better solution. But if you have the knowledge and experience to run your server, you can go for an unmanaged VPS plan.
Cost
When you come across the right VPS hosting plan, you are likely to stick by it for a longer term. Hence, instead of considering the immediate costs, enquire about the long-haul costs. Perform a cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the server will help you generate a higher return on investments. Look for a cost-efficient solution instead of running for an affordable one. Ensure that the hosting provider offers transparency in the hosting charges to avoid hidden costs. Ask your provider if they give a money-back guarantee if you do not find the hosting solution suitable.
Security
VPS hosting solution will boost security, but the security benefits tend to differ across the server plan. Look for security aspects like SSL certificates, HTTPS, centralized DDoS protection, manual and scheduled backups, firewall, network monitoring, and disaster recovery. Ensure that your provider offers at least a 99% uptime guarantee.
Support
Ask your VPS service provider if they offer free migration support. It is essential, especially if need to come to a VPS host from a different shared hosting provider. Enquire about how long the migration will take and if your site will experience downtime within that period. The hosting provider must give 24/7 support for customer service so that you can immediately reach them in case of a technical emergency.
To Conclude:
These are a few essential factors you should consider when selecting the right VPS hosting provider. It will help you make the right choice and enable you to switch seamlessly to VPS hosting, and ensure business continuity.
