If you are like many online business owners, you started out using a shared web hosting plan because it was convenient and more cost-effective. Over time, however, a hosting upgrade becomes crucial for the continued success of your site performance, but how to choose the best option?
The following examines available hosting levels, as well as looks at several signs you need to upgrade your current host and the top 5 advantages associated with upgrading.
Types of Web Hosting
First, it’s essential to understand that the purpose of a web host is to act as a storage center for your website. As a general rule, there are four types of web hosting when it comes to business websites, which differ in their storage capacity, server speed, reliability, control, and amount of technical knowledge you will need to use it. The four types of web hosting are:
- Shared: When you opt for shared hosting, you are sharing both a physical server and software applications with other websites. While this is an affordable option that requires minimal technical knowledge, the fact that there may be thousands of other sites on the server means that your site usually runs slower and can’t handle excess traffic.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS): Similar to a shared hosting plan, VPS hosting usually ensures there are fewer sites per server.
- Dedicated Servers: A dedicated server means that your website has the webserver entirely to itself, which improves performance and security and allows for admin or root access. Although it is a more expensive option than the previous two, this becomes an ideal option as your website expands and grows.
- Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting refers to a team of servers that band together to host a group of websites you are responsible for. The servers work as a team to manage traffic spikes or high overall traffic, but don’t provide the root access needed to alter server settings and install some types of software.
Is it Time to Upgrade?
Determining whether or not it is time to upgrade to a dedicated server is very easy. Here are the most common indications that it is time for you to upgrade.
- Poor website performance: This includes a slow website (increased loading time for a page) and one that frequently goes offline or gives visitors an error sign.
- Increased number of visitors: It is usually suggested that you strongly consider upgrading if you regularly get 100 or more visitors a day. A dedicated server can handle thousands of visitors every day.
- Multiple websites: If you manage more than one site, a shared host is highly unlikely to be able to accommodate the amount of traffic they all receive together.
- Planning an expansion: If you are getting ready to expand your website, use more intensive applications, and host downloadable content and videos, it is time to upgrade. Failure to do is almost certain to interfere with your website’s overall performance.
The Advantages of Upgrading to a Dedicated Server
There are numerous benefits associated with upgrading to a dedicated server, so we’ll just discuss the top five below.
- Your site will not only be more reliable, but it will also experience a considerable improvement in performance. When you opt for a dedicated server, you never have to worry about sharing your resources. As a result, you can expect: Guaranteed server uptime, which ensures that your website will almost, if not always, be available. Increased speed because you don’t have to deal with other sites clogging up the server’s RAM and CPU.
- You will have complete control of hosting/ server resources. With no other sites using the server, you have full control over resource distribution.
- You will have the ability to use intensive applications. It’s entirely up to you to decide what programs, applications, and scripts are run on the server.
- You will have the ability to customize. As the only site on the server, you can not only choose programs and software, but also configure disk space, CPU, and RAM. Also, you will find it much easier to get additional space as your website expands and grows.
- Your site will be more secure. Upgrading to a dedicated provider guarantees that you are not sharing space with a possible spammer or a malicious website. It is also known for offering one of the highest levels of security against adware and malware. This is especially important if you handle sensitive information. After all, merchants that accept credit cards online are required to be PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant. Shared hosting is not PCI DSS compliant.
Our Recommendations
Once you have done your research and figured the dedicated server or servers that will most likely work for your business, take a look at the customer reviews. This information can give you better into what to expect.
Choosing the right dedicated server for your business and site is a task that takes time and research. While you compare the different options the market offers, make sure to take into account the various features I mentioned above, as well as the services your business and site will specifically need without ever forgetting about the prices that each provider offers.
With companies like ServerPronto, you can have a dedicated server with up to 48 cores (Quad-Dodeca Monster) alongside other great benefits like fast provisioning, 24/7/365 award-winning support, and a fault-tolerant network that guarantees 100% SLA uptime.
ServerPronto offers affordable and secure hosting service in all dedicated server packages.
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