These days, a company's online presence is as important as ever. Consumers are increasingly turning to virtual channels to connect with brands and make purchases. One element of this equation that cannot be overlooked is the strength of the servers that power any online environment.
When it comes to server configuration, there are several options businesses can choose from, each of which comes with its own unique benefits. Today, we'll examine the virtual private server setup to help decide if this configuration is right for your company.
What is a VPS?
In order to fully understand if VPS is the best choice for your organization, decision-makers must learn what the configuration entails.
A VPS is a departure from the traditional server, a carved-out environment that appears as a regular, dedicated server to the client, but actually resides on a computer which provides resources for a number of sites. Each VPS has its own hosting software and operating system, providing a range of capabilities including file transfer, mail server and custom applications for e-commerce and blogging features, noted TechTarget contributor Margaret Rouse.
VPS can be a cost-effective alternative for smaller companies looking for the dedicated server experience without the price tag. For this reason, a number of organizations are opting for VPS configurations. Let's take a look at the factors that make VPS a well-suited choice.
Dedicated, private resources
For many decision-makers, the P in VPS says it all. This setup provides resources solely for your organization, and the provider guarantees that those services will be available and accessible. With shared hosting environments, the activities of other clients using the same equipment can have an adverse effect on your company's website. MakeUseOf contributor Kev Quirk noted that with VPS, this is not an issue.
"[E]ven if there is a much bigger website than yours on another VPS, hosted on the same physical machine, that won't matter: You're always guaranteed the system resources that you're paying for," Quirk wrote. "Think of it like one big computer, running lots of little computers inside of it."
This allows for improved performance over a shared hosting environment. If your business hinges on the performance of its website — as e-commerce companies do — a VPS could provide the reliable performance you require.
Increased memory
In addition to having dedicated resources at your fingertips, a VPS also provides more flexibility when it comes to available memory. If your organization has a highly interactive website or one that includes a considerable number of items for users to navigate through, having more memory is critical.
Blogging.com, a how-to platform for blog creation, noted that a VPS system offers more flexible memory than a shared hosting environment. Although shared web hosting often comes with unlimited bandwidth and storage, there are limitations in place as to the available memory. This can cause considerable problems, especially for companies that have large, memory-intensive websites. A VPS can help eliminate these issues, as many plans offer "burst" resources that can be called upon if the client needs additional memory.
Maintenance and control: The best of both worlds
Because VPS systems live in a virtual environment, they also offer boosted control over the company's resources versus other configurations. With shared hosting, the provider must be involved should the client want to make any adjustments or updates to their software. With VPS, clients are able to take care of these processes themselves through a remote-accessible control panel. But because the hardware elements are still stored with the provider, the host takes care of the physical upkeep.
"You can install, customize, configure and even manage your own server by using this hosting plan," noted Tech Cocktail contributor Muhammad Azam. "It can provide you such control and customization facilities that you won't find with any other hosting plan."
So, if you like the idea of having root access to your resources without having to be responsible for the physical maintenance, a VPS could be the perfect solution for you.
In comparison with other server environments, a VPS offers dedicated, customizable resources that are more accessible to the client and their business. If this is important to your company, a VPS could provide the best option for your organization. However, it is best to consult a knowledgeable service provider to get all the details about the overall VPS package. There are a range of VPS package options, and a best-in-class vendor can help you choose one that will be the best fit for your business.