If you’re looking to sign up for web hosting, a virtual private server or VPS is a great way to save money while still having the customization that dedicated servers have to offer. VPS hosting is great for medium sized websites who don’t have enough revenue to purchase their own server, but are big enough to require the need for full control over one.
A VPS allows you to choose which operating system you use, and what programs you have installed on it. You have full root access and can do anything you want to the computer. The catch is that your OS install runs virtually on the computer and is one of up to around ten other installs running on that computer at the same time. This means you’re sharing resources with a few other people. This generally isn’t a problem as typical servers these days have multiple gigs of ram and dual and quad core processors.
Like everything else you purchase, you should read virtual private server reviews before diving in. You’ll want to find a host that can properly allocate your resources. You don’t want too many people stuffed on the same computer all competing for its valuable resources. In optimal conditions it’s best to have less than ten people, and a good host will tell you how many people you’re sharing it with.
Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Watch out for those discount servers, they might not be worth it in the long one. A VPS with too many users crammed on to it will cause you problems down the line and isn’t worth the money you’ll end up “saving”.
VPS solutions are a great way for beginner webmasters to learn the ins and outs of setting up servers. For far less than a dedicated server you can get the same experience, with much more power than shared hosting. Just be careful to avoid not so reputable hosts, and read reviews before purchasing.