Choosing The Wrong Server Will Literally Make Or Break You
Picking the right web hosting will be one of the most important decisions you will ever make with your online business. Why? Because the web server you choose will really make or break your online business.
Now, let’s discuss two types of servers, Virtual Web Hosting and Virtual Private Servers.
Over the last couple of years Virtual Web Hosting has been the only way to go when choosing a web server. One of the reasons that Virtual Web Hosting became so popular was because they supported the necessary files and allowed you to have more freedom than other conventional web hosts. Now you can have more freedom than ever before with Virtual Private Servers. Moreover, Virtual Private Servers should not be confused with Virtual Hosts, because they are completely different.
Before I go any further I must explain what the difference is between a Virtual Host and a Virtual Private Server, so that you can fully understand. In this article I will also go over the advantages and disadvantages of both types of servers, to help you decide which is right for you and your business. Let’s get started with Virtual Hosting.
Virtual Hosting
Virtual Hosting, also known as Shared Web Hosting, where you are sharing a physical server and a single set of software applications with other users. Virtual Hosting has been extremely popular in the past for its fast deployment, strong resources, and most importantly for being cheap web hosting. Another advantage to Virtual Hosting is that you have a powerful, reliable, and professionally managed web hosting account without having to learn advanced technical skills, making it ideal for an individual, small business, or even a beginning web master.
The disadvantage of Virtual Hosting is that you are sharing the server with other users. The server is configured and controlled by an administrator, not you. So basically you have your hands tied behind your back, because you have to contact the administrator every time you need to adjust or change your server’s configuration settings. Even if you managed to get a hold of the administrator, they may not fulfill your request. It’s up to them to help you or not to help you. They are the administrator. If you were the administrator, you wouldn’t have these limitations and would have total control.
Virtual Private Servers
Virtual Private Servers are usually the best choice these days and for a very good reason. Before I get into the advantages of a Virtual Private Server, let me explain what it is. A Virtual Private Server is a single server that is partitioned at the root into multiple dedicated servers. This allows you to share the cost of the network connectivity, hardware, and system maintenance with other web hosting customers, while maintaining your flexibility and freedom.
The real advantage of Virtual Private Servers is that they allow you to have complete control and they have the security advantages of a dedicated server at cheap web hosting pricing. You have access to the virtual root, Telnet, web configuration files, and full CGI-BIN access. You also have access to your password, aliases file, and send mail configuration file. A Virtual Private Server is an excellent solution for small to medium size businesses that have increasingly complex needs with cheap web hosting costs.
One disadvantage with Virtual Private Servers is that you need to have some program knowledge to control and configure the settings. Sounds overwhelming, most businesses that offer Virtual Private Servers have very detailed manuals making them very easy to configure and control no matter what your program level is. We use HostEasier.com because their support staff always answers our questions within a few hours.
Which type of server is right for you? That all depends on you and the size of your network.
If you have, or plan on having, just one web site and have absolutely no programming knowledge, then Virtual Hosting is the recommended and economical way for you to go. A Virtual Host can cost anywhere around $10 a month for an account, rather than $35 for a Virtual Private Server.
On the other hand, if you have a larger network that requires multiple web sites, and you have some programming knowledge, then a Virtual Private Server is ideal for you. You can host many web sites on a Virtual Private Server account, instead of having multiple Virtual Hosting accounts, which is not as economical.
When it comes time to get a web hosting account, make sure that the server fits your needs and that it supports the necessary software for a prosperous online business. We personally give a 5-STAR rating to HostEasier.com because of their low prices, reliability, and excellent 24/7 customer support staff. They really care about you, and can help solve your server problems, should any occur.