Like most businesses, websites start small on a shared hosting platform to get things running within the constraints of a limited budget at launch. As the site gains traction and traffic increases, the shared platform may not meet the capacity requirements of the growing website.
With high traffic and the need for customization, you will soon need to upgrade to a dedicated server or a VPS for better performance and flexibility in a customized configuration. However, is it worth it?
Is a dedicated server worth it?
Granted, dedicated servers at Intergrid come at a premium depending on how you perceive the costing, but perhaps you need to know why you need them in the first place. Only when you assess the bandwidth strength, computing power, the quantity of storage data, and backup you will need can you appreciate your ROI.
A virtual private server will grant you the flexibility to configure your website to suit the needs of your users. Running on its bandwidth, it will provide enhanced performance that will assure your website visitors of superior user experience.
Flexibility managing your site
As your business grows, you expect the site to keep pace because it is your showcase window. You will need continuous tweaking of the configuration to suit changing and emerging business concepts and the freedom to do so whenever necessary. You also want to have a say about the speeds at which the site loads and the ability to adjust.
Such flexibility is not available on the shared platform as that is managed collectively. It is easier to scale up on your dedicated server, increasing computing power, storage, and backup. Other than the fact that your VPS is off-premises, you operate it as though it was physically on your property.
You manage the resources
A dedicated server allows you exclusive use of resources without any restrictions or downtimes during peak hours. The hosting company lets you run your dedicated server any which way you please without interference. You control how you use your disk space, bandwidth and RAM while sustaining peak performance uninterrupted.
You also get root access to the server, allowing you to access the server logs and install the software as well as settings configuration. The hosting company gives you server space and the resources required to run the show and let you manage.
Data separation for better security
Using data separation, your company’s data does not mix with the hosting company’s or other hosted customers’ data. Data separation means there is direct access permitted to your company’s website only and no redirections. This frees your access from the host’s network monitors, access controls, and firewalls that could slow down your site’s performance.
Data separation also allows you to install multiple layers of access control and protection, ensuring that you take charge of your site’s security. The safety of both business and customer data is crucial to your credibility and integrity as a company and need protection.
Enhanced performance
When you control performance, you ensure reliability in service provision to your clients. For websites, smooth performance and efficient load speeds are the keys to success online. Since a dedicated server allows you absolute control, you can enhance performance and reliability to reward your customers with awesome user experience.
A dedicated server is definitely worth the cost and the host of benefits to the business makes a better ROI. Besides, you get these great privileges and a commanding presence online without staking upfront capital. There is the added advantage of technical assistance from the hosting company if needed to provide oversight.