Why WP Engine Is Not One of the Best Hosting Servers

For some, the idea of having a dedicated server to host their websites might seem like a dream come true. But for others, it might be a complete shock. After all, didn’t you just pay for their hosting plan, not to mention the cost of the domain name? Aren’t they supposed to serve your needs, not the other way around?

It’s a common question: should I get a dedicated server or should I just get a hosting plan from my favorite web host? Since there’s a lot of overlap between the two, let’s examine the differences and how you can decide which is best suited for your needs.

Features

Before we begin, let’s clarify one thing: a “dedicated server” is not the same as a “Web hosting plan”. A dedicated server provides you with a set amount of resources that you can utilize to host your websites. In most cases, you will pay for these resources individually. This means you are not sharing them with other websites.

A Web hosting plan, on the other hand, provides you with a set amount of resources (usually in the form of shared servers) that you can utilize to host your websites. Unlike a dedicated server, you will not have to pay for additional resources individually. This means you are sharing those resources with other websites.

Depending on your needs, you may want to consider the following:

• Dedicated Servers: If your needs are relatively low and you don’t need to incorporate complex features, this may be the best option for you. A dedicated server provides you with a set amount of resources that you can utilize to host your websites. In most cases, you will pay for these resources individually. This means you are not sharing them with other websites. Should you need additional features, you have to look elsewhere.
• Shared Servers: If your needs are higher and you need to have a lot of space and need to be able to use complex features, a shared server may be the best suited for you. A shared server provides you with a set amount of resources (usually in the form of RAM and storage) that you can utilize to host your websites. Those resources are shared with other websites that are connected to you via internet. Should you need additional features, you have to look elsewhere.
• Virtual Private Servers: A virtual private server (VPS) provides you with a set amount of resources (usually in the form of RAM and storage) that you can utilize to host your websites. Those resources are completely isolated from the rest of the internet and other VPSs. This means you are not sharing your server with other websites. You can, however, still share files with other websites that are connected to you via internet. Should you need additional features, you have to look elsewhere.
• Colocation: Colocation provides you with a set amount of resources (usually in the form of RAM and storage) that you can utilize to host your websites. Those resources are completely dedicated to you and your needs. This means you are not sharing them with other websites. Should you need additional features, you have to look elsewhere.

User Interface

Another significant difference between a dedicated server and a Web hosting plan is the user interface (UI). A dedicated server provides you with a command line interface (CLI) which you can utilize to manage the resource in a convenient manner. A UI-enabled interface (most commonly via Web browser) that provides you with information about your server. This can be extremely useful whenever you are dealing with complicated tasks or have little to no experience with servers. For instance, should you want to upgrade your server to the latest version, you will not have to contact technical support and wait for an employee to respond. With a UI, you can do this easily and at your own convenience. This also makes regular maintenance and monitoring of your server much simpler.

Furthermore, a dedicated server provides you with a set amount of storage that you can utilize to archive important files. This is not the case with a Web hosting plan. In most cases, you are expected to archive files yourself or purchase extra storage via a storage device. The lack of storage in a Web hosting plan can become problematic should you ever run out of space.

Cost

Dedicated servers are more expensive than Web hosting plans mainly because there is more equipment and software that you have to purchase upfront. You will also have to pay for additional maintenance and support. Since this is a more expensive option, you have to make sure that you are prepared to pay for these additional costs. If you find that you are not able to cover these expenses, you might want to consider a Web hosting plan. This is especially important if you are looking for lower cost options.

But even then, you might not want to go with the cheapest option available. After all, what is the point of having a low-cost server if you have no one to serve? You have to weigh the cost of the product (in this case, the Web hosting plan) versus the cost of the service (in this case, the dedicated server).

Security

Last but not least, we have security. This is one area where you might want to consider going with a dedicated server instead of a Web hosting plan. As we mentioned before, a dedicated server provides you with a CLI that you can utilize to manage the resource in a convenient manner. This makes it much easier to monitor security measures and take appropriate action should anything go wrong. This would be very difficult via a UI since there is so much going on behind the scenes. In terms of security, a dedicated server might be more convenient since you can monitor access and perform daily maintenance without having to access an external device (like a smartphone) via web browser.

For example, should you discover that your server is compromised by an outsider (either via an email attack or a brute-force attack), you will not have to notify your web host in order to remove the malicious code. You can do this yourself by following a few simple steps via the CLI.

Furthermore, with a dedicated server, you have the option to install any number of WordPress blogs (or other content-based websites) within your server. This provides you with the ability to monetize multiple websites from one place. Should you choose to go this route, you will have to purchase a separate domain name for each site you want to operate independently (i.e., not under a shared hosting plan).

To put it simply, if you are looking for the best hosting option for your needs, you should consider going with a dedicated server. They may be more expensive than a Web hosting plan but they come with a lot more features that you might find useful.