Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

January 30, 2009

Is it Time for Dedicated Hosting?

When the time comes to lease server space from a web host you generally have two options: find a provider that offers shared hosting or one that allows you to rent a dedicated server.  These variations of web hosting are two different animals and understanding this will ultimately determine which is the right solution for you.

A shared server is less expensive than a dedicated server which is the main reason why shared hosting is so popular.  Aside from cost efficiency, a shared server also calls for a lower level of technical ability.  In this environment, the web host performs all the complex server administrative tasks.  Shared hosting makes a great option for individuals and small businesses owners who either lack technical skills, can't afford to lease an entire server or simply do not anticipate a high volume of traffic.  And even though a shared server is a great choice in these instances, it does not make a good option for the business that receives a lot of traffic or runs mission-critical operations.

Below are some of the benefits you will enjoy with a dedicated server:

Faster Server Response Time and Traffic Management

With a shared hosting arrangement, server response time all depends on what is actually happening on the server.  Your server response can be impacted by service interruptions that occur on another website.  For example, if one of your neighbors suddenly experiences a burst of traffic, your site could lag or even become completely inaccessible.  On a shared server, such interruptions are out of your control as there is nothing you can do to stop them.  With a dedicated server, you can plan for traffic levels as well as any other circumstances that may impact server response times.  With guaranteed resources, performance issues are a rare occurrence.

Flexibility

On a shared server, you have limited access to the underlying operating system and are pretty much stuck with the software the host provides.  A dedicated server grants the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to install your own custom software applications, database servers and programming tools.

Scalability

As your website grows, the more demanding your web-applications will become and the higher volume of traffic you will endure.  Although you could upgrade to a more robust shared hosting package, the options are still quite limited.  Sure, you can probably buy more disk space and bandwidth but not much else.  You can't upgrade the actual hard drive, operating system and RAM.  A dedicated server allows you to easily upgrade these resources as your needs increase.

Tighter Security

The fact that you are housed on a server with hundreds to thousands of strangers make shared hosting a security risk.  You could be sharing the server with a knowledgeable hacker or simply an individual who isn't as proficient with programming as they once thought.  A dedicated server can be as secure as you make it and there are no other customers to worry about.  You can install your own security mechanisms to protect mission-critical operations.

Dedicated servers are not for everyone.  If you can't afford the high-end price tag or don't have the technical resources to maintain the server, shared hosting would be a more practical solution.  However, if you are pulling in thousands of dollars per month from e-commerce, chances are, your business can't afford excessive downtime, sluggish performance and all the other issues a shared server is prone to.

Tags: shared server,  server space,  server response,  dedicated web hosting,  dedicated server,  dedicated hosting