Server resources
You’ll need a plan with enough dedicated resources to meet your needs. There are four specific things to pay attention to:
- vCPU/CPU cores: Virtual CPUs – dictate how well your server can handle resource-intensive tasks. More vCPUs generally means more capacity. The type of CPU being used can also affect your server’s capacity.
- ram: Random Access Memory, or RAM, controls your server’s ability to perform concurrent tasks and run smoothly.
- storage: The amount of storage space you have determines how much data, such as images and text, you can store on your server. Most hosting companies use solid state drives or SSD storage to ensure reliable performance. Some hosts use non-volatile memory express (NVMe) storage to provide even faster and more reliable service.
- bandwidth:Sometimes expressed as data transfer on VPS hosting, bandwidth dictates how much data your server can transmit in a specific period.
Most web hosting companies make it easy to upgrade your plan, so if you need more resources than you initially imagined, you can meet your growing needs with ease.
Managed vs. not managed
Managed hosting involves the web host performing essential server maintenance, including software updates and tweaks, for you. Unmanaged hosting means that you, or a system administrator you hire, handles all of this maintenance. Managed hosting tends to be more expensive than unmanaged hosting.
Uptime guarantee
Your web host should offer at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee. This ensures that your website will be online almost continuously, with no more than 10 minutes of downtime caused by server problems each week. Some hosts go further to offer 99.99% uptime guarantees, meaning that sites hosted through these companies will experience no more than two minutes of downtime per week due to server issues.
Operating system options
Many VPS plans allow you to choose between Linux and Windows operating systems. Pay special attention to this if you want to use programs that are only compatible with servers running a specific operating system.
Customer service
Your web host should offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Many offer 24/7 customer support, including by phone.
Remember that 24/7 customer support does not necessarily mean good support. Read reviews of any company you are considering to determine how effective their customer service is.
