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If you run a small online business or a personal blog, you’ll likely get by with minimal server resources from your web host. However, it might be time to upgrade if you manage a web development agency or a growing e-commerce store.
That’s when VPS hosting can come in handy. With this hosting plan, your site will get its dedicated server resources. This can help you serve up your pages optimally, even during high-traffic times.
This post will discuss how VPS hosting works and who might want to use it. Then, we’ll review a few tips to help you choose the right VPS plan for your WordPress site. Let’s dive right in!
What Is VPS Hosting?
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. In contrast to shared hosting options, which divvy up server resources, VPS plans provide your website with exclusive server space:
That means your site won’t have to deal with competing “neighbors” on the server. This is good news, as websites that run on shared hosting can experience downtime or dips in performance when other sites on the same server experience unexpected surges in traffic.
You might still be wondering what VPS’s “virtual” part means. Essentially, VPS hosting gives you access to exclusive server resources. Still, it’s not quite as private as having a physical server that’s entirely your own—that would be called dedicated hosting.
When you sign up for VPS hosting, your provider gives you a fixed amount of resources on a physical server. However, these resources are split “virtually” into different sections.
This means that sites on the same server can’t use your resources. As a result, your website’s performance and uptime won’t be affected by the other sites on the server.
Who Should Consider Using VPS Hosting?
Now that you know more about VPS hosting, you might wonder if you should use it. To help you decide, let’s compare it to shared and dedicated hosting.
As mentioned earlier, shared hosting requires you to share server resources in the traditional sense. The more resources your neighbors get, the less you get. Of course, this is constantly changing since the server adjusts to meet demands.
However, there’s no way you can know who those neighbors are. Let’s say you share a server with a growing e-commerce store (or multiple ones). When these websites run online sales, they may experience large spikes in traffic. As a result, they could hog your server’s resources and cause your site to load slowly or even go offline.
Still, shared hosting is typically the most affordable solution, so there are some benefits. It’s likely a suitable option for smaller or non-lucrative sites that require minimal resources.
For instance, if you run a hobby blog or a microbusiness, you might want to start with shared hosting. If your site grows, you can always consider upgrading plans:
Meanwhile, a virtual private server is likely the best option for any business. You don’t want downtime or slow loading times negatively impacting your reputation or revenue.
VPS hosting is also a good choice for web development agencies that manage a portfolio of clients. A VPS makes you more likely to keep your clients happy since it can help you deliver fast-loading pages.
Meanwhile, dedicated hosting is likely suitable for larger online businesses. The main benefit here is that you can customize every aspect of your server configuration. However, dedicated hosting can be pretty expensive.
Therefore, VPS hosting can be the most cost-effective solution for your business. It can also help your site maintain decent loading times and performance.
How to Choose the Right VPS Hosting Plan (7 Factors to Consider)
Now, consider some key factors when choosing a VPS hosting plan.
1. Server Resources and Set-Up
First, you’ll want to consider the nitty-gritty details of your VPS server carefully. In particular, you’ll need to check how much storage space you’ll get and whether it’s SSD or HDD.
You’ll also want to know your server configuration options. For instance, some VPS hosting providers will let you choose your operating system, number of cPanel accounts, and server protection.
Additionally, you may be able to select your server location. This is super important, as your server’s location can significantly impact your site’s performance.
Lastly, if you need to transfer your site over from another provider, you might want to look for a host that provides migration services.
2. Performance Optimization
Whether you’re running a lucrative business or managing a suite of WordPress sites, you’ll want to ensure that your pages are running smoothly at all times. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the performance features that your VPS host provides.
For example, if you run an international business, you’ll probably need a Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare:
This can help ensure that your customers enjoy fast-loading pages regardless of location. You’ll also want to look for caching tools, which can further boost your site speed.
If you choose a plan that supports multiple sites, you’ll likely want unlimited bandwidth. This way, you can rest assured that your server won’t be overwhelmed by requests.
3. Security Features
Web security is crucial for every website. However, it can also make or break an online business. Data leaks, hacking incidents, and even downtime can damage a brand’s reputation.
Therefore, you’ll want to be sure that your VPS hosting plan provides ample security features to safeguard your site. At a minimum, you’ll probably want the following:
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates
- Direct Denial of Service (DDoS) protection
- Firewalls
In addition, you’ll need some tools to generate backups of your sites. This way, you can quickly restore your content should something go wrong.
4. Managed or Unmanaged
In WordPress hosting, you can typically choose between managed and unmanaged plans. The same is true for VPS options.
In most cases, you’ll probably want to opt for managed unlimited bandwidth VPS hosting with a reputable company like Ultahost:
With this plan, your web host takes care of essential day-to-day tasks. These include maintenance tasks, security updates, performance monitoring, and more.
5. Developer Tools
As we discussed, VPS hosting is often ideal for web development agencies. So, if you’re a WordPress web developer, you’ll also want to assess the development tools that a VPS host offers.
For instance, you might want to look for the following features:
- SSH and SFTP access
- Choice of Operating System (OS)
- Staging sites
- Full root access
- VPS control
You can easily manage your client sites with most of these tools.
6. Customer Support
Ideally, you’ll want a VPS web host consistently delivering high-quality service. However, if you’re managing multiple sites or a more significant e-commerce business, you’ll encounter issues occasionally. Therefore, you’ll want your provider to have a robust customer support team to assist you when that happens.
In addition to a knowledge base for troubleshooting fundamental problems, you should be able to contact an expert anytime. This is even better if a host offers multiple support channels, such as phone, chat, and email.
7. Pricing
As mentioned earlier, shared hosting is the most affordable plan, whereas dedicated hosting is usually the most expensive. While VPS hosting provides a convenient middle ground regarding budget, the cost of plans can still vary greatly.
Leaving room to scale is best if you’re on a tight budget. Ideally, you’ll want to find a VPS hosting provider that offers tiered options. This way, you can start with the most basic plan and upgrade if necessary.
Conclusion
If you want your WordPress site to perform optimally at all times, VPS hosting might be the right solution for you. This plan lets you have your server resources without sharing them with other websites on the same server.
However, some factors should be considered when choosing a VPS hosting plan. For example, you’ll want to ensure it offers security features to keep your site safe. You might also want to opt for managed hosting so that the host can handle all essential tasks for you, including updates and backups.
Do you have any questions about VPS hosting for WordPress? Let us know in the comments section below!
