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Shared hosting or a VPS: when to move.
Most websites start on web hosting and many never need anything else. This post explains the signs that it may be time to look at a VPS, and the signs that you can stay where you are.
What web hosting is good at
Web hosting is the easy option. The server, the control panel and the updates are managed for you, so you can focus on your website instead of the machine under it.
For a blog, a portfolio, a small business site or a small online shop, this is usually all you need. If your site loads fine and you rarely hit a limit, there is no reason to move.
Signs you may have outgrown it
One sign alone is not a reason to move. Two or three together usually are.
- Your pages slow down when several visitors arrive at the same time.
- You keep running into storage, email or resource limits on your plan.
- You need software that a normal hosting panel does not let you install.
- You want full control over the server settings.
What a VPS changes
A VPS gives you your own slice of a server with dedicated resources. You get more freedom, but you also take on more responsibility, such as updates and security settings.
If you are not comfortable with a server command line, ask first. Moving too early can cost you more time than it saves.