When should (and should not) use VPS

When it is planned to create a new website, the company has wide prospects due to the abundance of new technologies and IT products. Usually, you have to choose between a virtual hosting, a virtual private server, and a dedicated server. Hosting is the basis of online business. The right choice means the development of a business project and a constant increase in customers and profits. 

A virtual private server (VPS) is one of the popular options, which is due to its numerous advantages for entrepreneurs. Unlike shared hosting, business owners get more resources and freedom. In comparison with a dedicated server, the costs associated with renting are reduced. To understand when it is better to use Ubuntu virtual private server when shared or dedicated hosting, you need to learn more about the features and benefits of each technology. 

What is a VPS

A virtual private server is an isolated environment that is built on the principle of dedicated hosting. The only difference is fewer costs associated with managing a physical device.

The hoster installs powerful hardware to create several isolated virtual servers. As a result, VPS is optimally suited for solving diverse business tasks that are beyond the power of a common virtual hosting.

Using VPS, you can install and effectively put into practice many applications necessary to improve the performance of a web resource and deployed analytics. 

As in the case of dedicated hosting, VPS provides access to the main operating system, and at a lower cost. The VPS client completely independently controls the operation of the resource, as in the case of a physical machine.

Cloud technologies can be considered as a type of VPS. To put aside doubts about the identity of IT products, you need to remember their properties. Both products are virtual servers that are private and designed for individual use. 

When should I choose a VPS?

Virtual private hosting is not suitable for every business project. In some situations, VPS works more efficiently than in others. Cases, when the performance of the site will improve with the help of a virtual private server, are as follows:

• Limitations of the architecture or shared hosting resources prevent the expansion and development of the site. 
• The need to install applications and software products that are not supported by shared hosting. 
• The need to obtain root-level access (superuser rights) to the server. 
• If a virtual environment is required for software development and subsequent testing of its functions. 
• If the work of the site is related to financial transactions and the processing of confidential information. 
• Sudden fluctuations or a predicted increase in traffic. 

If the VPS infrastructure is located on several physical machines, we are usually talking about cloud technology. The VPS cloud format is the most effective option.

Clients will not have to face the problem of failure – in case of failures on one physical machine, its functions will be performed by another. In addition, cloud technology assumes the availability of additional resources that can be used on a virtual server if necessary. 

When not to choose a VPS

VPS hosting is a universal product adapted for different business tasks, which contributes to the growth of its popularity. There are a few cases when it is impractical to use virtual private hosting. The main ones are:

• Creation of websites with predicted low traffic.
• Creating web pages that are not a priority in terms of business development. 
• If there is not enough experience in the field of virtual technologies and there is a need to study applications like WordPress (site content management system), cPanel (hosting control panel), and FTP (file transfer protocol over the network). 

In comparison with shared hosting, the private configuration is characterized by improved scalability and increased performance. Another important advantage is the restriction of unauthorized access to the site. The web resource works independently, isolated from other sites. 

When should I choose shared hosting?

The work of shared hosting is based on the simultaneous use of its resources and potential by several clients. This is the most common type of web hosting. Among the advantages of this option is the low cost. A significant drawback is due to the lack of full control over management, which can only be obtained with root-level rights. In this case, it is impossible to fully control the operation of the server by one client, due to the lack of a platform for local configuration changes. If the settings change, all accounts registered on this hosting are affected. Shared hosting is designed for unassuming clients with minimal requirements. When the choice is appropriate:

• If tenants are satisfied with low site performance indicators.
• It assumes low traffic and a small amount of traffic on the site that is being created or hosted.
• If the client is looking for simple solutions, they do not want to constantly monitor and configure the hosting operation. 

The advantages of a shared server include quick account setup. Hosting is already running, special applications are installed on it and basic settings are selected. The client only has to create a new account. Disadvantages of this option:

• Low productivity. Even with low traffic (about 50-100 users at the same time), the site may not cope with the load. As a result, the pages will load slowly, freeze, or the user will receive a message about the inability to connect to the resource. 
• Dependence on the behavior of other shared hosting clients. For example, the workload and traffic volume of other sites affects the performance of your web resource. Exceeding the load on the hosting will lead to failures in the operation of all sites. 
• Limitations. Many hosters set limits on the number and type of operations for one account, which is due to the need to constantly maintain the working state of the hosting and avoid overloads. 

Shared hosting is the best option for blogs, small-scale online businesses, and web pages that are targeted at a limited audience. Usually, such sites use the WooCommerce plugin (an open-source eCommerce plugin) for full customization. If you choose between shared hosting and VPS, you need to answer the questions:

• How many advanced settings are needed to optimize the site? 
• How much traffic passes through the site. 
• How cost-effective is the improvement of the site hosting platform (is the web resource profitable).
• How high is the need to download and install heavy applications and software products? 

Switching to a VPS is necessary if your answer to some of these questions is affirmative. This is a transitional stage between shared hosting and a dedicated server. A virtual private server is suitable for clients whose needs have increased and include:

• Individual platform settings.
• The need to use unique software products. 
• The projected growth of the company implies the need to increase the resources of the site. 

VPS hosting scales easily and at the same time remains affordable. Setting up a virtual private server can take as little as 15 minutes if the client has simple configuration requirements. The need for fine customization – individualization of solutions for specific needs, leads to an increase in time for configuration.

For example, it may take up to 3 hours to install the cPanel application. Adding software products is fast. After the reboot, which lasts about 15-20 minutes, the hosting is ready to work in the updated model. 

When should I choose a dedicated server?

A dedicated server is a physical machine for an individual client. This option has the advantages of a VPS and costs more. A dedicated server is maximum performance. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the complexity of scaling in comparison with virtual private hosting. 

The success of the business depends on the right choice of hosting. The platform determines the operation of the site and affects the effectiveness of the project.