When it comes to website hosting, there are two primary options that most companies offer: Shared hosting and VPS hosting. Although both are quite viable, they do have their differences.
If you’re looking for a basic, cost-effective website hosting solution that still provides a decent amount of functionality, then shared hosting might be the perfect choice for you. The price of a shared hosting plan will vary from company to company, but you can usually expect to pay somewhere between £2.95 and £5.45 per month. This is considerably less than the cost of a typical VPS hosting plan, which starts at £5.45 per month and can go as high as £11.43 per month.
The advantage of shared hosting is that you’ll be sharing the infrastructure of a particular web host with other customers. This means that you won’t incur the cost of having your own physical server, which could potentially save you money in the long run. The disadvantage is that you’ll be sharing the web host’s infrastructure with other customers, so you’ll always be at the mercy of its support team and there’s always the chance that they’ll shut down your website unexpectedly.
What is a VPS (Virtual Private Server)?
A virtual private server (VPS) is very similar to a shared hosting plan, except that it provides you with an entire physical server that you can access remotely. The advantage of a VPS is that it gives you complete control over your website’s performance. This is because you have full root access to the physical server, so you can install various extensions and tweaks to further improve its functionality. You can purchase a VPS from any reputable web host company and, assuming you meet their requirements, you’ll have the entire infrastructure of a physical server at your fingertips.
You might be wondering how much control you really have over a VPS. For legal reasons, most web hosts will not allow you to change the company’s configuration files or the way the server’s operating system is set up. However, you can install various applications, such as WordPress, that will provide you with additional functionality. You can also use free applications, such as Fantastico, to make managing your website much easier.
The Disadvantages Of Shared Hosting
When it comes to choosing a hosting plan, most people think about the advantages first and the disadvantages second. While this might seem logical, it’s essential to remember that there’s a difference between the two. The disadvantage of shared hosting is that you’ll be sharing the web host’s infrastructure with other customers. As a result, there’s always the chance that your provider could cut you off at any time without warning. This is why most web hosts require that you contractually guarantee at least six months of service.
Even after six months, you might find that your provider decides to discontinue offering shared hosting for unforeseen reasons. In this case, you’ll have to find another solution quickly if you want to keep your website up and running. The good thing is that you’ll have plenty of options available to you.
The Advantage Of VPS Hosting
If you’ve been paying attention to the hosting market, you’ll have noticed that the price of a VPS is usually around the same price as a shared hosting plan, but with the added benefit of not having to worry about shared hosting’s disadvantages. The advantage of a VPS is that you’re not going to be sharing its infrastructure with other customers. This means that your provider cannot cut you off or downsize your offering at any time without warning. In most cases, this is going to be a secure, dedicated server which will provide you with a high degree of reliability and performance.
The downside of a VPS is that you’ll be responsible for maintaining the server’s operating system, which can be a difficult process. In most cases, this entails keeping the operating system patched and updated regularly so that it doesn’t become a security risk to you or your website.
Which One Should You Choose?
Shared hosting and VPS hosting are both quite viable options when it comes to website hosting. You just have to remember that there are a few disadvantages associated with shared hosting, which is why you should consider a VPS if you’re looking for a reliable, secure solution. As you might expect, the price of a VPS is usually a little higher than that of a shared hosting plan, but it can be worth it if you’re looking for a dedicated, secure server, such as those provided by Cloud Server Farm.