Which Hosting is Right for a Small Business? Shared or VPS Hosting
There are two types of web hosting – Shared and VPS.
The primary difference between the two is the amount of resources that they provide. Shared hosting packages usually include features like unlimited storage, databases, and bandwidth. These are the basics of any good web host. With VPS hosting, you get access to a greater number of resources, including real-time backup systems, databases, and more.
If you’re unfamiliar, a virtual private server (VPS) host is a type of web hosting service that provides you with access to a physical server owned by the company. This way, you have the features of a dedicated server with the flexibility of a shared hosting environment.
What to look out for when selecting a VPS hosting environment is the support. You want to make sure that you’re getting good quality support when you have a problem. With a shared hosting environment, you’re usually on your own if there’s a problem. The hosting company cannot help you out because there’s no one to help. With VPS hosting, you get the flexibility of a physical server with the support of a live person should you need help.
Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities between the two hosting types. We’ll cover security, performance, and functionality:
Security
Shared hosting is generally safer than VPS hosting. The reason is that most shared hosting providers have extra security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access. For instance, you’ll often find that shared hosting providers require you to use a login and password to access certain areas of the site. While this isn’t a security problem per se, it does add an extra step should someone want to break in and hack your website. On the other hand, VPS hosting is completely open to the public, so anyone can access your files and databases. This opens you up to security threats from outside parties.
Performance
For small businesses that just need an easy way to get their product out there to potential customers, shared hosting offers a fast and affordable solution. The reason is that a shared hosting provider will usually package your site with a limited amount of resources dedicated to it. These are generally high-performing computers that have been configured to provide web services at an extraordinary speed.
In contrast, when it comes to advanced applications that large businesses require, they’ll usually opt for a VPS hosting environment. This is because VPS hosting provides them with the capability to over-commit resources, allowing them to get the most out of their hardware and minimize latency issues.
Functionality
Shared hosting is generally limited in terms of the functionality that it provides. This is generally due to the fact that it is cheaper and more affordable for hosting providers to offer this type of service. It’s important to note here that the functionality of a website is never truly measured in just one area, but rather by the integrated performance of every area from testing to conversion to e-commerce.
If you’re looking for a low-cost, easy way to get your product out there to potential customers, shared hosting is a great solution – just keep in mind that it’s limited in terms of functionality. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a high-performing, robust web hosting environment, VPS hosting is the better option.
Hopefully, this guide to the differences between shared and VPS web hosting will be helpful to you in choosing the right hosting environment for your small business. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to our tech support team at [email protected]