| Choosing a web site hosting platform boils down to | | | | questions, then a VPS platform or independent |
| three features: space, flexibility, and room for | | | | server are worth consideration. |
| growth. | | | | Weighing the Pros and Cons |
| If you have a basic website set up to inform | | | | Now that you know you have needs that surpass |
| potential customers about your business and direct | | | | the capabilities of a shared hosting option, you can |
| them to your contact information, a site without | | | | use the following features to determine whether you |
| online ordering or form submissions, then a shared | | | | should opt for a VPS or invest in your own server: |
| platform should meet your needs. However, if you | | | | Server Advantages |
| are a Web professional operating more than one site | | | | - Complete authority to run your own software, |
| or if you operate a dynamic site that has multiple | | | | manage several sites, etc. |
| product lines or needs several interfaces, you will be | | | | - Unlimited space |
| left pondering the next two options: using and | | | | Server Disadvantages |
| maintaining your own dedicated server or considering | | | | - Responsible for your own security |
| a VPS platform. | | | | - Higher cost |
| What Is a VPS? | | | | - No technical support |
| A VPS uses virtualization software to parcel out | | | | If you have the budget and the technical capabilities |
| physical servers into multiple virtual servers, each one | | | | within your organization to manage your own |
| offering the capability to run its own system and | | | | dedicated server, this is likely the route you'll want to |
| applications. Using a VPS is one level below utilizing an | | | | go. However, independent or small business web |
| independent dedicated server. VPS may be an ideal | | | | professionals and some companies will want to find a |
| choice for web developers and industry professionals | | | | happy medium. They need more than the shared |
| that need to host several web sites, but is it a | | | | hosting options available, but do not have the |
| worthwhile investment for your company's Web site | | | | capabilities to house a dedicated server. |
| hosting? If you are considering the need and | | | | VPS: Bridging the Gap |
| investment for your own server or VPS hosting, the | | | | VPS web hosting packages offer these advantages: |
| following questions may help: | | | | - Less expensive than a dedicated server |
| - Are you running out of bandwidth to run your site | | | | - Technical support from a reliable provider |
| with your current web host? | | | | - Increased security |
| - Are you experiencing a diminished performance of | | | | - Capability to install, delete or reboot software as |
| your site? | | | | though you had your own server |
| - Do you have specific software that you want to | | | | - Content easily moved to other platforms as your |
| run? | | | | needs change |
| - Are you gearing up for increased growth in your | | | | VPS hosting gives the illusion of a dedicated server |
| website development? | | | | without the cost or responsibility of housing one |
| - Do you operate more than one site? | | | | yourself, making it an ideal solution for many growing |
| If you answered "yes" to one or more of these | | | | companies and thriving web professionals. |