Every website needs web hosting to store its files and make them accessible to the public. There are many different types of web hosting available, with shared and Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting services being among the most popular.
Thus, it can be tricky to decide which is the best option for your site. In this article, we will discuss when you should consider buying from a virtual server host and the essential steps to host a website on a VPS.
The Differences Between Shared and VPS Hosting
Shared and VPS hosting have one fundamental similarity: they both use one physical server to host multiple websites. This is the most cost-effective approach, resulting in prices lower than a dedicated hosting or cloud hosting service. However, the similarities end there.
A web server has limited system resources available, such as RAM, CPU power, and disk space. In the shared hosting environment, multiple clients use the resources of a single physical server, which can create bottlenecks and slow down your site in these two situations:
- When the hosting provider sets up too many websites on the same server space.
- When a website on the server is getting too much traffic and taking up more resources.
Unlike shared hosting, a VPS host compartmentalizes the server resources for each client. In other words, these compartments act like individual servers.
Another key difference lies in the level of control. In a shared hosting environment, users don’t have access to the web server settings; they get a user-friendly control panel. VPS comes with server root access, so it’s possible to install custom web applications and a preferred operating system, such as Ubuntu or CentOS.
When You Should Move From Shared Hosting to VPS
Shared web hosting may become less suitable as your site grows, gets more traffic, or requires better security measures. Here are some clear indications you need to consider moving to a VPS:
- The site receives at least 100-200 visits per day.
- There’s a sustained increase in the site’s bounce rate.
- The website speed is getting slower, or it is starting to experience downtime.
Ultimately, it’s necessary to consider your website’s needs. Security and complete control over the server are the main benefits of VPS hosting. If you operate an eCommerce site that processes transactions and customer data, the greater security of VPS hosting is essential.
How to Get Started With VPS (In Just 3 Steps)
If you have decided to move your website from shared hosting to VPS, here is how you can seamlessly migrate your operations.
1. Choose the Right Type of VPS
When you start looking into VPS hosting, you’ll notice that each host offers different options based on processing power. To give you an idea of what difference RAM makes, here is an overview:
- KVM 1 (4 GB of RAM): You can run a simple WordPress or similar CMS site with moderate traffic and excellent performance. However, this amount of RAM won’t be enough to set up multiple applications or a control panel.
- KVM 2 (8 GB of RAM): You have enough resources to set up cPanel. It is also possible to run multiple websites on the same virtual server without any issues.
- KVM 4 and KVM 8: Recommended for running and managing multiple application containers like Docker and Kubernetes.
2. Connect to Your VPS Using SSH
Managing a VPS is completely different than using shared hosting. VPS hosting usually doesn’t come with control panels, so users get to interact with the server directly using a Secure Shell (SSH) client.
If your computer runs on a Unix-based operating system, you can do this right from the command line without needing a dedicated client. However, for those using Windows, software such as PuTTY will be necessary. To connect PuTTY to the server, you’ll need to know its IP address, SSH port, SSH username, and SSH password.
3. Use the Command Line to Manage Your VPS
Some people may not like the command line because it doesn’t provide a graphical interface. Every server management task uses text commands, so you’ll need to learn a few basic ones:
ls– shows all the files and folders within the directory you’re viewing.mv– move files from one folder to another.cd– navigate between directories.mkdir– create a new folder.nano– modify files with the Nano editor without leaving the command line.
At this point, you’re ready to start managing the web server! Keep in mind that the account has full privileges and access, which means you may accidentally change things that shouldn’t be altered.
Conclusion
VPS hosting is the perfect option if you want complete control over the server at a price lower than dedicated hosting. With dedicated server resources, your website’s performance won’t be compromised because of other sites on the same machine. However, hosting a website on a VPS requires more technical expertise compared to shared hosting.
Also Read : InMotion Hosting Review: Is It Just for Businesses?
