In a world where there are already 1.2 billion websites, going online should be a no-brainer. Having an original idea is great to get started, but there are some steps to go through and keep in mind; web hosting, domain name and a website builder are the most essential.
When you look around for a hosting provider, you will quickly notice that there are a plethora of plans to choose from. Shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, application-based hosting – if you’re not familiar with the industry, all this may make your head spin.
So, before you make a choice, let’s understand the service first.
Why you need web hosting
Web hosting providers basically rent you some server space and system resources so that you can build and manage a website. But there is actually so much more to it. A good host gives you:
- Reliability – every second of downtime is crucial in the online world, deterring both visitors and search engine robots. A quality host knows how to configure its infrastructure so that customers can enjoy perfect uptime and fast performance right away.
- Security – any good host ensures that its data center and server infrastructure meets security standards. The excellent provider goes one step further and offers additional services such as an SSL certificate, DDoS protection, email filtering or a backup solution.
- Business focus – building a new website, especially for the first time, takes time and effort. Great hosts give customers as much time as possible to focus on their business, saving them all the technical details related to server maintenance and updates.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Your host can be a trusted advisor, a loyal provider, and may even allow you to resell their services as your own.
Numerous types of web hosting solutions have emerged over the years, but one of them has evolved quite impressively: VPS hosting.
What is VPS hosting?
VPS hosting is the middle step between shared and dedicated services, often combining the best of both worlds. The provider uses a process called virtualization to split a physical server into separate virtual instances. Each of the accounts gets its own set of system resources (CPU, RAM, disk space, etc.) and is completely isolated from all other clients on the same machine.
It’s actually one special server in a shared environment, but you can find more information in our VPS hosting guide for businesses.
These days you can find a well-equipped VPS machine for just a little more than standard shared hosting rates.
When you look at the service itself, you can easily split VPS services into two main categories: managed and unmanaged hosting solutions.
Understanding Managed VPS Hosting
When choosing your first virtual server, consider how much control and extra help you need. That’s the main distinction between managed and unmanaged VPS hosting.
Self-managed services provide you with a bare-metal machine with basic operating system installation and initial configuration. The key here is the freedom for customization, as the provider allows you to install and run whatever you want on the server… as long as you can do it yourself, of course. Unmanaged services do not include additional support, so the success of your project depends entirely on your own skills. Often preferred by developers and enterprises with more specific needs.
Managed VPS hosting offers a more hands-on approach from the provider. Your host assumes responsibilities for hardware maintenance, software installation, updates, and technical assistance. Of course, this takes some of the full control you have on a self-managed server, but this is made up for with professional help from industry experts. Very suitable for startups and SMEs.
Benefits of Managed VPS Hosting
Many beginners resort to shared hosting as it seems like the easiest solution for beginners. While that may be true to some extent, the benefits that managed VPS solutions bring are undeniable:
- Complete control: Just like a dedicated server, your VPS account works completely independently of everything else on the same physical machine. This allows the provider to give you many more rights when it comes to server management. Managed VPS users can tailor their environment to the exact needs and requirements of their project.
- Scalable resources: More often than not, your server’s poor performance is caused by your account reaching one of its limits. In a shared environment, this would mean it’s time to upgrade to another package. However, the VPS host allows you to add a certain amount of RAM, CPU or space without moving your account to another server. Often this goes both ways, allowing you to scale back when you don’t need as many resources as you do now.
- Performance optimized: Websites in a shared environment often suffer from a lack of resources, especially when a few clients take up most of the RAM and processing power. Often there are more than 100 users on the same server, all trying to get a piece of the pie before it’s gone. VPS hosting solves all these problems, allowing only a few customers to sit on the same machine and isolating their accounts with a dedicated amount of server power and RAM.
- Enhanced security: Placing your website in an isolated container means that no vulnerability from a neighboring account can affect yours, which is one of the biggest problems with shared hosting. Furthermore, as a managed VPS user you can trust that your provider will ensure an installation that meets the latest security standards. With cybercrime constantly on the rise, you need all the help you can get.
- Professional support: This is an aspect that you should never overlook, especially with a managed VPS service. Too many things depend on the professionalism and knowledge of your host’s support team to rely on just anyone. A reliable provider must be available to you 24/7, through multiple channels and be quick enough to resolve problems. A reliable one managed VPS provider should be there for you 24/7, through multiple channels, and quick enough to resolve issues.
- Cost-effective: VPS prices have dropped significantly, sometimes reaching as high as $10-20/month. Additionally, a managed virtual server plan saves you the additional costs associated with hiring and training additional IT staff. All this makes it a very cost-effective service, which will fit even the tightest budgets.
You can easily see how a VPS platform can make your online life easier. Even if you’re a complete beginner, don’t worry: a managed VPS plan may provide just what you need for a smooth online experience. From the lightning-fast performance to the enhanced security, virtual servers are definitely worth considering.