Confused!! Shared vs VPS vs Dedicated

Wilby · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-09, 12:20 AM

Hello friends,

I run an ecommerce company and most of the sales are through eBay and Amazon but now I wish for something more from our website. Currently the website is hosted on a US shared server but now I feel like it is a time to change as i want a UK based server as it will (I am told) help SEO and also I can have a UK number to call if things go wrong. Basically i need to run:

A Zencart website on one domain
Support Centre ticket software on another domain

I am going to add 2 other zen cart sites in couple of next months and probably will have a couple of other info type sites and maybe a couple of wordpress blogs aswell.

The question is, I need to go for shared, VPS or dedicated? And which one? What package??

Also, my existing host has everything set up for me so I set up emails and databases through the control panel, and just upload my files to get my sites running.

If I go with VPS or dedicated do I need to set up all the software like php and apache and all that? I could probably do this but would likely take me hours which I don't really have.

Help appreciated.
Thanks

Pongers · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-09, 03:32 AM

Well, if your websites are small business site then you can start with VPS hosting where you would be getting total freedom to play with your server and can install all required applications and softwares moreover you would have greater server resources as compare to shared reseller hosting packages at your disposal for use.

My honest opinion -> No need to invest for a dedicated server as of now for few smaller business websites.

Usually all basic applications like PHP-MySQL-Apache comes bundled with all hosting plans, just get it confirmed with your preferred webhost !!

MattBarthorpe · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-09, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilby

I run an ecommerce company and most of the sales are through eBay and Amazon but now I wish for something more from our website. Currently the website is hosted on a US shared server but now I feel like it is a time to change as i want a UK based server as it will (I am told) help SEO and also I can have a UK number to call if things go wrong. Basically i need to run:

A Zencart website on one domain
Support Centre ticket software on another domain

I am going to add 2 other zen cart sites in couple of next months and probably will have a couple of other info type sites and maybe a couple of wordpress blogs aswell.

The question is, I need to go for shared, VPS or dedicated? And which one? What package??

Also, my existing host has everything set up for me so I set up emails and databases through the control panel, and just upload my files to get my sites running.

If I go with VPS or dedicated do I need to set up all the software like php and apache and all that? I could probably do this but would likely take me hours which I don't really have.

Help appreciated.
Thanks

As I understand,you already have an ecommerce business company,therefore,a VPS or a Dedicated server is what I would strongly recommend.With it you would get better security and control.You can also add an SSL if your site involves online transactions.This would enhance the security of the money transfer and build a level of trust in the eye of the visitor.The best is that you would have complete admin access to the server,which would enable you to have a better control and accessibility .

**WH-Garry9** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-09, 09:01 PM

As per your requirements, I would suggest you to consider a VPS and upgrade to a dedicated server if your requirements increase in future.

You will get root administrator access to your VPS and hence you will be able to install the applications you need on the server. You will be able to upload the files etc. on the server.

As WHUK provides fully managed servers, the applications like php, html, apache etc. are already installed on the server

Wilby · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-09, 12:53 AM

Thanks for the replies.

So if I go for a managed VPS/dedicated option, would this be basically the same setup as I am having it with my shared hosting?

What exactly does managed mean? They set up, update and maintain all the software and do backups as well?

Thanks

Chilton · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-09, 09:28 AM

Though I am new to the web hosting industry,but to my knowledge below are the tasks that a managed hosting provider is responsible for:

* Primary set-up of the servers
* Monitoring the server,which is either round the clock of scheduled
* Migration of the Server (This is more of a situation based task)
* Proper planning and strategy for Disaster Recovery
* Data backups and its recovery,just incase there is any sort of malfunction with the server
* Troubleshooting the server
* Maintenance such as uploading patches
* DDoS protection
* Configuring the Firewall

I hope it helps. Guys please suggest if I have missed out on any of the points.

**Rachel** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-09, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilby

Thanks for the replies.

So if I go for a managed VPS/dedicated option, would this be basically the same setup as I am having it with my shared hosting?

What exactly does managed mean? They set up, update and maintain all the software and do backups as well?

Thanks

Generally the server set up will be similar. Most of the settings on a VPS/dedicated can however be customized as per your requirements.

Server management will generally include security monitoring, installing, compiling and maintaining the standard server application/software package, latest security updates and technical support. This however does not include backups for your data. You can consider Remote FTP backup space that can be purchased right from the website: Backup Service | Offsite Data Backup Solutions | Web Hosting UK | Dedicated Server | VPS Hosting

Welford · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-09, 10:59 AM

Well, i guess when it comes with e commerce sites, you should be looking for the maximum of the Security, which will opted by VPS and Dedicated Servers, Managed will keep you away from responsibilities of the server, only you will have to pay for it

Wright · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-09, 07:39 AM

Right,for any eCommerce website that involves online transactions,security is a prime concern,therefore a VPS or Dedicated Server with an SSL certificate would be an ideal choice.
Choosing managed services lets you get rid of the headache and time spent in management of the servers,though there are only a few bucks extra that you need to pay to the host.

Wilby · #10 (**permalink**) 26-11-09, 09:32 PM

Thanks a lot for the answers friends. The website is just starting out (well, it has been around for a couple of years but we did not got a chance to promote it properly yet).

The trigger for us to move was the fact that our ticket software which we use to handle emails is running slowly and we had a lot of problems with the email server. We handle about 400 emails a day through it and we grab emails from the server every minute from about 10 email addresses. I don’t know at all whether this is high or low usage and if it is causing the slow down.

Is this creating a problem?

Chilton · #11 (**permalink**) 26-11-09, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilby

Thanks a lot for the answers friends. The website is just starting out (well, it has been around for a couple of years but we did not got a chance to promote it properly yet).

The trigger for us to move was the fact that our ticket software which we use to handle emails is running slowly and we had a lot of problems with the email server. We handle about 400 emails a day through it and we grab emails from the server every minute from about 10 email addresses. I don’t know at all whether this is high or low usage and if it is causing the slow down.

Is this creating a problem?

Not much sure about the slow down.But yes there exists a possibility that you are sending or receiving emails that are beyond the assigned limits.

If I am not wrong,if you upgrade to a VPS,you would be able to send 500 emails per hour from your account. It would be better if someone from WHUK sheds some light on this.

**WH-Garry9** · #12 (**permalink**) 27-11-09, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilton

If I am not wrong,if you upgrade to a VPS,you would be able to send 500 emails per hour from your account. It would be better if someone from WHUK sheds some light on this.

You are right

You will be able to send 500 emails per hour with our VPS hosting packages. There is no difference in the number of emails you will be able to send from the Linux VPS hosting packages and Windows VPS hosting packages and hence you can choose the hosting platform as per your requirements

Welford · #13 (**permalink**) 28-11-09, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vehicle4server

drgdfgdfdfgbfvgxdfvgxdfcvxdfvgxdfvxdfvgxdfvxdv

I guess you have a problem in your vehicle carburetor

**Sanersone** · #14 (**permalink**) 28-11-09, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welford

I guess you have a problem in your vehicle carburetor

I have figured out the problem in his/her vehicle carburetor

To enter a link in thread or post, one must have atleast 5 posts. So... just to enter a link in the post he created a problem in vehicle carburetor... lol

The account for this user must be closed and he/she would be banned shortly .. he he !

kami2k · #15 (**permalink**) 28-11-09, 11:45 AM

I want to know is there any special discount or coupin for new customers at webhosting uk? i want to buy the basic Linux reseller account.
thx
Kami