What is a Virtual Private Server (VPS)?

There’s a growing demand for virtual private servers (VPS), and for good reason. According to recent estimates, the global virtual private server industry is expected to hit $8.38 billion by 2026.

The inability to manage confidential data and increasing cyber security risks are driving the demand for an end-to-end VPS hosting solution. If you’re not familiar with the concept of VPS and why it’s a good option for your website hosting needs, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’re covering everything you need g to know about VPS—from what it is and why it matters to tips on how to select a robust VPS hosting solution and secure your site for performance and security.

What is VPS?

A virtual private server—or VPS, in short—is an isolated virtual environment on a physical server. It is managed by a web hosting provider such as Crazy Domains.

VPS leverages virtualization technology to divide one physical machine into multiple private server environments.

These environments share resources and allow you to have dedicated server space—without the cost of a full physical server.

So, What is a VPS Hosting?

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When creating your website or app, you must consider multiple moving parts—r—you’ll need to set up a database, configure a web server, and add your code.

You’ll also need to manage the physical server hardware—a somewhat complex and expensive affair. Hosting providers solve this problem by handling the hardware for you. You can then use these resources without worrying about the technicalities.

With VPS hosting, you get a virtual machine with dedicated resources ready for you to deploy and configure your website. This lets you focus on your project and gives you secure, reliable, and consistent performance at the same time.

The bottom line is that you can concentrate on developing your site and leave the server management to the experts.

Why VPS Matters for Your Organization

If you’re second-guessing whether you need VPS or not, you likely need one for your site. Contrary to popular opinion, managing VPS is not tricky.

Here’s why your website can benefit from a robust VPS solution:

• Reduced downtime: Yes, with a VPS server, you share resources with other users, but unlike shared hosting, you don’t have to worry about potential downtime or heightened security risks.
• Managed VPS: If you go for the managed VPS server option, your hosting provider will take care of all the grunt work, such as:
  • Securing your site
  • Backing it up
  • Maintaining software patches
• Greater control: Compared to shared hosting, VPS gives you more granular control over your site and supercharges it for speed.
• Scalability: With VPS, you can scale your resources up or down as needed. From adjusting the CPU to playing with the storage allocations, you’re in the driver’s seat. So, if your website’s traffic is seeing a steady increase, VPS will help you handle more footfall and give you the required bandwidth.
• Better security: VPS hosting is slightly better for security than shared hosting. Being isolated from other users allows you to customize your security measures, such as HTTPS, SSL certificates, system firewalls, and more.
•  Solid performance: Having dedicated resources for your site automatically translates to higher performance and speed. If your website is resource-intensive, VPS is a more reliable bet.

Who Should Go for VPS Hosting?

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Generally speaking, you should go for VPS hosting in the following scenarios:

• Your site is fast outgrowing shared hosting features: If your website has outgrown shared hosting and you need more resources, it’s time for VPS. This means your site is slowing down or crashing because it’s too busy.
• Your site needs enhanced security. VPS hosting offers better security through easy access to antivirus software, data recovery, SSL certificates, and more. You also get control over your server environment, a crucial aspect of handling your customers’ sensitive data.
• Your site requires consistent performance: With VPS, you get dedicated resources. Your site won’t slow down because of other websites. It’s a reliable way to ensure your site runs smoothly.
• Your site is not able to handle high traffic: If your website gets a lot of visitors or you expect uncontrollable growth, VPS can handle the load better than shared hosting.
• You are running complex applications: VPS lets you run custom applications and services. This is great for developers and businesses with specific needs.
• You need to customize your server: With VPS, you have root access. This means you can customize the operating system and install any software you need.
• You want more stability: VPS hosting offers better stability and uptime. Your site won’t be affected by other users on the same server.
• You’re on the lookout for higher scalability: With VPS, you can easily upgrade your resources. As your website grows, you won’t need to switch to a different hosting plan.

Pros and Cons of VPS: At a Glance

10 Tips on Selecting the Right VPS Hosting Solution

Selecting the right VPS is a decision that should not be taken lightly. While it can feel overwhelming at first, a little bit of strategy goes a long way.

Here are ten factors to consider:

Tip #1: Research, Research, Research

Before you zero in on a vendor, get your basics right about VPS hosting. And nothing compares to doing your research right:

• Look up comparison charts
• Read online reviews on the best VPS hosting providers
• Join forums/communities to get real-time advice from seasoned professionals

The idea is to educate yourself, weigh your options, and make an informed choice.

Tip #2: Create a Checklist of Your Requirements.

The decision to select a hosting provider becomes easier if you know the ins and outs of your site’s technical requirements. Here’s the gold standard you should stick to:

• Uptime: Look for a VPS hosting provider that guarantees at least 99% uptime—anything less, and you’ll end up keeping your site visitors waiting.
• Bandwidth: If you’re anticipating significant growth in traffic for your site, go for a plan with more bandwidth.
• CPU: The VPS plan you choose must offer sufficient CPU cores to tackle rising workload and traffic. If your site is resource-intensive, a higher core count is table stakes.
• RAM: Higher RAM eliminates issues that plague site performance. To make the right choice, first account for your current requirements and then assess your future requirements.
• Storage: Storage is key for storing important website files, databases, images and videos, and backups. A higher storage plan will prevent you from stressing about exceeding storage limits.
• Control panel: A user-friendly control panel like cPane allows you to manage your server’s settings and apps on the go. You won’t have to spend time learning how to use it, which is a big advantage for site owners who wear multiple hats every day.
• Operating system: You’ll need to select which operating system to use—Windows or Linux. Consult with your internal IT team to understand the exact OS requirements.

Tip #3: Balance Features with Affordability.

Most website owners who are just starting or are scaling have restrictive budgets. While it’s tempting to choose a feature-rich plan, remember that your costs will go up, too.

So, compare the pricing plans from at least 2-3 vendors, assess it with the checklist we outlined in step 2, and select a VPS plan that best suits your requirements (and pocket).

Tip #4: Choose a Hosting Provider That Ticks Off All the Right Boxes.

When it comes to VPS hosting, settling for anything less than high performance, instant support, scalability, and affordability would be a compromise.

To make the best choice, start by understanding the nature of your website. Here are some common examples:

a. eCommerce Site: For online stores, prioritize high uptime, robust security, and the ability to handle high traffic. Look for providers offering:

• • SSL certificates
  • DDoS protection
  • PCI compliance

These features ensure secure transactions and protect your customers’ data.

b. Content-Heavy Site: Blogs, news websites, or sites with lots of media need ample storage and bandwidth. Ensure your VPS plan can handle large amounts of data and traffic. Look for providers offering SSD storage and high data transfer limits.

c. Corporate Site: For business websites, reliability and uptime are key. Choose a provider with a strong reputation for uptime (99.9% or higher). Also, look for features like:

• Automated backups
• Disaster recovery options
• Around-the-clock technical support

These ensure your site is always available and secure.

d. Development and Testing: For development or testing purposes, look for flexibility and control. Choose providers offering:

• • Easy scalability
  • Customizable server configurations
  • Ability to install and test various applications
  • Root access
  • A variety of operating system choices

e. Community Site: Forum-led sites need a provider that can handle dynamic content and user interactions smoothly. Ensure the VPS offers adequate RAM and CPU resources to manage concurrent users without slowing down.

Tip #5: Evaluate the Server Location

Ever notice how some websites load lightning-fast while others take forever? A big factor behind this speed is where the server is located. The closer the server is to your main audience, the faster your website will load.

Let’s say your primary users are in Europe. Choosing a VPS with data centers in Europe instead of in the US or Asia can make a huge difference by reducing latency and speeding up loading times.

Tip #6: Look for Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions

Think backups are standard? Not quite. Not all hosting providers offer strong backup solutions.

In your quest to find the right VPS, look for standout features such as automated, regular backups and a reliable disaster recovery plan at the very least.

Here are some additional key points to remember:

• Flexible scheduling: Look for flexible options that allow you to schedule backups at different intervals, such as daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Easy restoration: Ensure the provider offers easy restoration processes so you can quickly restore your data to a previous state in case of failure.
• Incremental backups: Opt for providers that offer incremental backups to save changes made since the last backup, reduce storage space, and speed up the backup process.
• Off-site storage: Verify that backups are stored off-site for added protection. Disaster recovery testing: Check if the provider regularly tests their disaster recovery plans to ensure effectiveness.
• Retention policies: Understand the provider’s data retention policies to plan your data management strategy accordingly.

Tip #7: Analyze the Virtualization Technology

The virtualization technology used by your VPS provider affects performance, security, and flexibility.

Research technologies such as KVM, OpenVZ, and VMware. For instance, KVM provides full virtualization and isolated resources, which can offer better performance and security. Understanding the underlying technology can help you choose a VPS that best meets your site’s demands.

Tip #8: Consider Managed vs. Unmanaged VPS

Managed VPS hosting includes additional support services such as maintenance, updates, and security monitoring. In contrast, unmanaged VPS gives you more control but requires technical expertise to manage the server.

So, decide based on your technical proficiency and the level of control you need. If you prefer focusing on your business rather than server management, managed VPS is definitely the way to go.

Tip #9: Check for Environmental and Sustainability Practices

With growing awareness about sustainability, some hosting providers are emphasizing eco-friendly practices—you read that right.

While doing your research, prioritize VPS providers that use renewable energy, have green certifications, and adopt carbon offset programs.

Remember, supporting a provider with sustainable practices not only benefits the environment but also enhances your brand’s image by aligning with green initiatives.

Tip #10: Do They Offer Customer Support in Various Forms?

Having a dedicated customer support team is just the beginning of quality service. You must partner with a vendor who offers:

• 24X7 phone and chat support to get your queries addressed promptly
• Knowledge base with answers to common questions
• Proper documentation on how to get started
• Flexibility for scheduling implementation sessions
• Prompt responses for all kinds of troubleshooting issues

Sort Your VPS Hosting Needs with Crazy Domains

Your site is made up of multiple components. But to make it customer-friendly, you need to get everything onto your Virtual Private Server (VPS)—your email list, database, cPanel, and the works.

Now, here’s the kicker: doing this right requires either serious experience or a ton of time. And let’s face it, you might be short on both. That’s where a VPS hosting provider such as Crazy Domains comes in handy. We offer a range of VPS hosting solutions, whether you’re an intcPanel-managed VPS, Linux, or Windows VPS. Plus, with our 99.9% uptime guarantee and 24/7 expert support, you can hit the ground running in no time.

At Crazy Domains, we understand that time is of the essence. That’s why we make it easy for you to get started quickly so you can focus on what truly matters – growing your online presence.

Browse through our plans and sort your VPS hosting needs for good. Sign up for a custom virtual server now.

FAQs

 1. What is a VPS in hosting?

A VPS, or virtual private server, is like having your mini-server in the cloud. It gives you dedicated resources and control over your hosting environment. Think of it as a virtual machine that runs its operating system. A VPS is created by partitioning a physical server into multiple virtual servers, each with its resources and capabilities.

2. Is VPS better than VPN?

No, they are distinct technologies. A VPN ensures online privacy by hiding your identity. On the other hand, VPS is a rented server for hosting websites and/or pps. That said, you can combine both to boost your site’s performance and functionality.

3. Why is VPS hosting so expensive?

VPS hosting costs more because it offers dedicated resources and greater control over the server environment. Unlike shared hosting, where resources are spread thin among multiple users, VPS ensures consistent performance and reliability.

Additionally, you get increased security and customization options, which justify the higher price. This setup is ideal for businesses that need stable, scalable, and secure hosting options.

4. What is the difference between VPS hosting and normal hosting?

The big difference is in the extent to which you can customize things. With regular hosting, you get a package that’s all set up and ready to go, but you can’t change much.

VPS hosting, on the other hand, gives you a lot more control. You can tweak the settings and set things up just how you want them. This flexibility is great if you have specific needs or want to use custom software. 

5. Do I really need VPS hosting?

It really depends on your needs. If you require more control over your hosting environment and expect higher traffic volumes, VPS hosting might be a better choice than shared hosting.

6. Is VPS better than cloud hosting?

They serve different purposes. VPS provides a dedicated virtual server, while cloud hosting offers scalable resources across multiple servers. 

7. What is a VPS best for?

VPS is ideal for various purposes such as hosting multiple websites on a single VPS, testing and developing your site before taking it live, running an online store, streaming audio/video content, storing backups of important data, setting up a VPN for secure remote access to your network, setting up gaming servers for multiplayer online games, and more.

8. Can you trust VPS?

Yes, reputable VPS providers are known for offering scalable yet secure hosting solutions. However, you must do your due diligence and choose a trusted provider.

9. How much does a VPS cost per month?

The cost of VPS will depend on the pricing plan you choose and the level of resources you need. That said, on average, VPS hosting can range from $20 to $100 (or more) every month.

10. How many websites can you host on a VPS?

With sufficient resources, you can host multiple websites on a single VPS. Generally speaking, there’s no cap on the number of sites you can host on a VPS.

11. Is VPS safer than shared hosting?

Yes, VPS is generally more secure than shared hosting because your virtual environment is isolated from other users. This means your site’s exposure to security breaches becomes narrower.

12. When to upgrade to VPS hosting?

When your website starts to outgrow shared hosting, you should consider upgrading to VPS hosting. This could be because you’re getting more visitors or you need more control over how your site is set up. Basically, if shared hosting isn’t cutting it anymore, it might be time to make the switch.

13. Is VPS dedicated to hosting?

No, VPS is not the same as dedicated hosting. Granted, both provide dedicated resources. However, VPS uses virtualization technology to create isolated virtual environments on a physical server. On the other hand, dedicated hosting provides a physical server solely for your use.