What is VPS Hosting?

If you're basically invisible these days, you're a dinosaur, a relic of a bygone era; as more eyeballs extend their online screen time, it only forces more businesses to move online and have a presence in some way, shape or form.

Websites, apps, software, SAAS products, streaming services, on-demand services, and games, to name a few, all need their data hosted somewhere that users can access with a few clicks.

Users don't care how content and apps are served. All they care about is that they load fast and are a breeze to access, and this is where hosting companies come into play. It's just the default state because none of us is going to spin up our own self-hosted server and handle the web traffic; the overhead is crazy, so we offload that to web hosting providers or cloud service providers.

When it comes to web hosting, the modern business has several options available, each catering to different needs and budgets.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a growing popular method among businesses and developers alike. But what exactly is VPS hosting, and how does it differ from other hosting types?

Let's dive in!

Understanding VPS Hosting

VPS hosting stands for Virtual Private Server hosting. It's a type of web hosting that uses virtualisation technology to provide dedicated (private) resources on a server with multiple users.

Essentially, a physical server is divided into several virtual servers, each isolated from the others, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a dedicated server without the higher costs.

A hosting provider would install a virtual layer on the server's operating system. This virtual layer separates the server into individual compartments for each user, creating individual virtual machines or VMs.

Key Features of VPS Hosting

1. Isolation: Each VPS operates independently. Your resources (CPU, RAM, storage) are not shared with others, which enhances performance and security.
2. Customisation: With VPS hosting, you have root access to your server, allowing you to install and configure software according to your needs.
3. Scalability: VPS hosting can grow with your business. You can easily upgrade your resources as your traffic increases without needing to migrate to a different server.
4. Performance: VPS hosting generally offers better performance than shared hosting, as resources are allocated to you specifically, reducing load times and enhancing user experience.
5. Cost-Effective: While VPS hosting is more expensive than shared hosting, it's more affordable than dedicated hosting, striking a balance between price and performance.

Who Should Use VPS Hosting?

VPS hosting is ideal for:

• Growing Businesses: If your website is receiving increased traffic and you need more resources than shared hosting can provide, VPS is a suitable option.
• Developers and Testers: If you need a testing environment to run applications or websites, VPS allows you to set up various configurations.
• E-commerce Sites: With a VPS, you can ensure better performance and security for your online store, which is critical for maintaining customer trust.

What are VPSs used for?

VPSs can provide you with servers that can do anything your traditional setup can offer; you can host files and websites, run applications, access additional computation and more.

Launch web applications

Anyone can use VPS servers to launch and run web applications; instead of relying on third-party tools, they can "self-host" applications in the cloud and integrate services they need, like billing, invoicing, or reporting tools. This reduces the time spent on operations management and gives key decision-makers simultaneous data access.

Build test environments

With a VPS server, you can develop and test new applications cost-effectively and load test your app so you can simulate if it's ready to handle the traffic you're going to send it.

Secondary storage

A virtual private server can provide secondary storage for data files. It can also act as a CDN for files, images, or email servers by creating secure, accessible, and centralised storage for a group of users.

VPS vs. Other Hosting Types

1. Shared Hosting: In shared hosting, multiple users share the same server resources. This can lead to slower performance and less security, making it less ideal for growing websites.
2. Dedicated hosting: This provides an entire server for your use. It offers maximum performance and control but comes at a higher price, making it suitable for large enterprises.
3. Cloud Hosting: This offers flexibility and scalability by distributing resources across multiple servers. It can be more expensive than VPS but is great for businesses with fluctuating resource needs.

Types of VPS Hosting

Unmanaged VPS hosting:

It is self-managed hosting, where the business owner is responsible for all server responsibilities and maintenance tasks. The hosting provider manages only the physical server and its availability.

• Benefits:
  • Greater control over server configuration and customization.
  • Potentially lower costs due to reduced overhead for the provider.
  • Suitable for users with technical expertise.
• Drawbacks:
  • It requires more time and effort to manage the server.
  • Increased risk of security breaches if not managed properly.

Managed VPS hosting

Fully managed VPS hosting reduces the time, effort, and technical expertise needed to manage your server. The managed VPS hosting provider takes care of all the server-related responsibilities, like core updates, maintenance, and software installation.

• Benefits:
  • Less technical expertise is required from the user.
  • Faster troubleshooting and support.
  • Ideal for those who prefer a hands-off approach.
• Drawbacks:
  • Potentially higher costs due to the additional services provided.
  • Limited control over server configuration.

Semi-managed VPS hosting

Semi-managed VPS hosting is a compromise between managed and unmanaged hosting. The hosting company provides the same basics as unmanaged hosting but adds core software installation and support.

Is VPS hosting right for you?

VPS hosting strikes an excellent balance between cost and performance, making it a popular choice for many businesses and developers.

VPS hosting can help you effectively manage your website's growing needs by providing dedicated resources, enhanced security, and the ability to customise your server environment.

If you're considering switching to VPS hosting, want to learn more about your options, or are looking for the fastest VPS in South Africa, feel free to contact us!

Contact us

If you would like us to improve the advertising for your site or want to know more about digital marketing for your business, then don’t be shy. We’re happy to assist. Simply contact us

Are you looking to promote your business?

South African business owners can create their own free business listing on nichemarket. The more information you provide about your business, the easier it will be for your customers to find you online. Registering with nichemarket is easy; all you will need to do is head over to our sign-up form and follow the instructions.

If you require a more detailed guide on how to create your profile or your listing, then we highly recommend you check out the following articles. 

• How to create a nichemarketer profile 
• How to create a nichemarket business listing 

Recommended reading

If you enjoyed this post and have a little extra time to dive deeper down the rabbit hole, why not check out the following posts on web hosting.

• HTTPS Migration Check List For The Best Results
• WordPress Migration: How to successfully move your website to a new host
• Everything you need to know about web hosting
• How To Decentralise Your Blog
• Does Web Hosting Affect SEO?

Tags: Hosting, Website Hosting