Planning to design a killer website for your business?
Or perhaps you’re redesigning your older version to get better traffic?
You need to remember that to get the best possible results and ensure your website’s success, you have to find the best possible hosting plan that suits your needs the best.
In the world of website hosting, you can either choose shared or VPS (virtual private server). However, just picking out one without proper research is a mistake. This is because while shared hosting may be sufficient for one website, it won’t be ideal for another.
If you don’t believe that web hosting is crucial for your business, then just look at the following stats, and you’ll be more than convinced.
- A simple 1-second delay in page load can decrease ecommerce conversion by 7%
- If a website takes more than 3 seconds to load, two out of 5 users will choose to abandon
- If a websites load time improves from 8 seconds to 2 seconds, conversion rates go up by 74%
So, now that you have some information about the vital nature of website hosting let’s look at some of the main characteristics that set shared and VPS apart.
#1 Load Time
It doesn’t matter if you’re redesigning your website and reusing your old content. No matter how aesthetically pleasing the site or how good the content, visitors will leave if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.
Because shared hosting shares server resources, it is not going to be as fast as Windows VPS hosting. Because your website users won’t have to queue up with users of other sites, they’ll be able to access yours quickly.
However, if your website is relatively small and doesn’t use a lot of images, shared hosting will be the ideal solution until you decide to go bigger.
#2 Uptime
In layman terms, uptime is the metric which represents the percentage of time that a website, device, or hardware is successfully operational.
It is when a system is working efficiently as opposed to when it is not, which is known as downtime. For your website to be recognized as top notch, it has to have an uptime of approximately 99.9% or higher.
While problems can arise in both shared and VPS hosting plans, a lot of it depends on the quality of the server, as well as the provider’s support, expertise, and management.
However, websites that are built on a VPS server usually experience fewer problems since a smaller number of customers exist.
#3 Security
Another major concern for web hosting is security.
Hackers all around the world are looking for a chance to get to the sensitive data you have on your website such as customers’ credit card information etc. In such a case, it is imperative that you opt for the safest option and remain as far from people with malicious intent as possible.
With a shared hosting website, there’s typically a higher risk for security breaches since there are more websites.
Moreover, because customers of shared hosting are least experienced with precautions, they could cause vulnerabilities that put the entire server at risk for attacks.
#4 Management
While the core features of both shared and VPS hosting are important, you should also consider the management services.
Typically, shared servers are managed by expert employees of the hosting provider. These experts will ensure that the servers are kept updated and secured. They can also help with tasks like backups, updates, migrations, and maintenance.
On the other hand, a VPS can either be managed or unmanaged. If you choose to opt for the unmanaged system, the provider will only be responsible for problems with server or network while you will need to install, maintain, and configure software of your own.
However, if you choose Windows VPN with a managed plan, you can expect a lot more features and support as compared to shared hosting.
#5 Scalability
One of the make-or-break features that you need to decide on when choosing between shared and VPN is scalability. Understanding the basics of web hosting is essential, and so you have to have an idea about what the scalability feature entails.
In a nutshell, scalability is the capacity of the hosting server to accommodate the growth of your website.
Scalability includes storage and server capability. Now while a shared web hosting server can take the traffic of up to 10,000 visitors, it won’t be able to cope with a heavier load.
So, if you’re redesigning your website so you can attract more traffic or expect it to increase, go with a VPS hosting plan.
#6 Customization
VPS hosting may be the right option for you if you’re looking to have more control over the software, you’re going to install to enhance your website’s performance.
Because you’ll have fewer restrictions with a VPS, you can customize and install whatever you want. However, you won’t have this same level of clearance with a shared server.
Though you’ll have better clearance with VPS, you’ll also need to be careful of not overdoing it, or you may run the risk of making the entire system collapse.
#7 Pricing
Finally, one of the most crucial factors for any business that wants to host its business is pricing. If you’re a startup and would rather not spend a lot on the server, a shared hosting plan would be an ideal solution.
On the other hand, if you’re willing to take your business up a notch and transform it into a brand, Windows VPS will prove to be the best possible option.
The choice between shared and VPS hosting may look like a difficult one to make. But if you consider all these key differences and decide according to your needs and budget, you’ll find something suitable.
ABOUT Alycia Gordan
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia
