Most websites start out on simple shared hosting platforms. They’re user-friendly, budget-friendly, and easy to manage—perfect for getting things off the ground. But as your business grows and your site attracts more visitors, you might start to notice some frustrating issues, like slower performance or annoying downtime.
If you’re feeling like there’s got to be a better option, you’re in good company. In this blog, we’ll help you recognise when it’s time to upgrade from shared hosting, explore the benefits of moving to a Virtual Private Server (VPS), and walk you through a hassle-free plan to make the transition smooth and straightforward.
How to Tell When Shared Hosting Is Falling Short
As your business scales, so does the complexity of managing your website’s infrastructure. If you’re operating on shared hosting, you may have started to encounter issues that signal it’s time to rethink your hosting solution. Think of shared hosting like an entry-level server that starts to buckle under the strain as your site’s traffic and demands grow.
- Performance issues are a primary indicator. If you’re noticing slow load times, frequent downtime, or overall sluggishness, these are clear signs that your current shared environment cannot keep up with your traffic or resource demands. Shared hosting servers are often stretched thin, leading to performance degradation under heavy workloads.
- Limited Resources also become evident. Shared hosting plans come with fixed bandwidth and storage limits. When you’re constantly hitting these caps, it’s a red flag that your hosting setup isn’t scaling with your site’s growth. Just like hitting capacity limits in a warehouse, running out of bandwidth or storage can directly impact your website’s functionality and user experience.
- Scalability Constraints are another concern. As your website grows, you need the ability to adjust resources dynamically. Shared hosting often lacks the flexibility needed for seamless scaling. If adding new features or accommodating traffic spikes becomes problematic, it might be time to consider other options.
- Security Concerns in a shared hosting environment are also worth noting. The shared nature of resources can expose your site to vulnerabilities, as security breaches in one account can potentially affect others. If you’re facing persistent security issues or breaches, you may want to consider a hosting solution that can provide a more isolated and secure environment.
Why Upgrade to a VPS?
So you know that shared hosting isn’t the right fit for your growing business anymore, but why should you consider a VPS as your next step? With so many web hosting options available, it can be tough to choose the right solution.
Choosing a VPS offers a balanced blend of affordability, performance, and control. It provides a higher level of reliability and customisation compared to shared hosting, without the high costs associated with dedicated servers. It's an excellent choice for businesses that are growing and require more resources and control, but are not yet ready to invest in dedicated hardware.
The major benefits of upgrading to a VPS include:
- Enhanced Performance: With dedicated CPU, RAM, and storage, you'll experience consistent performance and faster load times, even during peak traffic.
- Greater Control and Customisation: Full root access gives you complete control of your server, and scalability allows you to add more CPU, RAM and storage as your requirements continue to grow.
- Improved Security: An isolated environment allows for custom security measures and advanced protection protocols to safeguard your data.
- Reliability and Uptime: Reduced downtime and greater stability provide the reliability needed to maintain business continuity for your online presence.
- Cost-Effective Scaling: Efficient resource allocation means better value as you only pay for what you need, with the ability to scale as your business expands.
Full Breakdown: Shared Hosting vs VPS Hosting
| Factor | Shared Hosting | VPS Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Entry-level plans can start as low as $2.99, with more comprehensive plans costing up to $20 per month. | Virtarix’s VPS plans start as low as $5.50 per month, making them a competitive option. |
| Performance | Shared resources mean heavy usage by one site can impact others, making it less reliable for sites needing consistent performance. | More consistent performance, with dedicated resources ensuring stability. Virtarix’s NVMe storage ensures your website remains fast, even under heavy load. |
| Traffic Handling | Suitable for low to moderate traffic websites. | Ideal for moderate to high traffic, with the ability to scale resources. Virtarix VPS includes unlimited traffic, ensuring your site can handle growing visitor numbers without added costs. |
| Scalability | Limited scalability; upgrades often require moving to VPS or dedicated hosting. | Highly scalable; easily upgrade resources as your website grows. Virtarix offers flexible scaling, allowing you to adjust resources as needed. |
| Server Control | Limited control; server settings are managed by the host. | Greater control with root access, allowing for custom configurations. |
| Resource Allocation | Resources (CPU, RAM) are shared among multiple users, which can impact performance. | Virtarix VPS plans come with dedicated CPU and RAM, ensuring consistent performance and reliability for applications |
| Security | Basic security features, but vulnerable to issues caused by other sites. | Enhanced security with isolated environments, and the ability to install custom security measures. |
| Backup Options | Basic or limited backup options; may require third-party services for comprehensive backups. | Virtarix offers self-service, automated daily backups with easy restoration options, ensuring data protection and quick recovery. |
| Server Location | Typically, limited options depending on the provider. | Virtarix offers server locations in multiple regions, including the US, Europe, and Africa, to ensure low latency for your target audience. |
How to Make the Switch from Shared Hosting to VPS
Upgrading from shared hosting to a VPS is a significant step in scaling your website’s infrastructure. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the transition smoothly:
- Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs - Review your site’s current performance, traffic, and resource usage to determine the VPS specifications you need. Then, based on your assessment, select a VPS plan that matches your resource requirements, including CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth.
- Step 2: Backup Your Website - Create a complete backup of your website, including files, databases, and any configurations. This ensures that you have a fallback option in case anything goes wrong during the migration. Remember to store your backup in a secure location, preferably on a different server or in cloud storage.
- Step 3: Choose a VPS Provider - Compare VPS hosting providers based on performance, uptime, customer support, and cost. To make things easy for you, we’ve done a direct comparison of three of the most affordable VPS providers. Once you’ve made your choice, register with your chosen provider and set up your account.
- Step 4: Set Up Your VPS Environment - Configure your server by installing your operating system, web server, and database server. Implement your security measures, such as setting up firewalls, securing SSH access, and installing security patches.
- Step 5: Transfer Your Website - Transfer your website files from the shared hosting server to the VPS. This can be done using FTP/SFTP or a control panel like cPanel. Then export your databases from the shared hosting environment and import them into the VPS using tools like phpMyAdmin or command-line utilities.
- Step 6: Update DNS Settings - Update your domain’s DNS records to point to the new VPS IP address. This step is crucial for ensuring that your website is accessible from the new server. Wait for DNS changes to propagate, which can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours.
- Step 7: Test Your Website - Test your website on the VPS to ensure everything is functioning correctly, including forms, databases, and scripts. Perform load testing to verify that the VPS can handle your traffic without performance issues.
- Step 8: Decommission the Shared Hosting - Take a final backup from the shared hosting before decommissioning it. Once you’re confident that the VPS is running smoothly, you can cancel your shared hosting plan.
For more insights into the benefits of VPS compared to other options, check out our comprehensive guide in “Shared Hosting vs VPS: Which is Right for You?” to better understand if a VPS is the solution for your growing business.
