Server resources
You’ll need a plan with enough dedicated resources to accommodate your needs. There are four specific things to pay attention to:
- vCPUs/CPU cores: virtual central processing units — dictate how well your server can handle resource-intensive tasks. More vCPUs generally means more capability. The type of CPU being used can also impact your server’s capability.
- RAM: Random access memory or RAM controls your server’s ability to perform simultaneous tasks and run smoothly.
- Storage: The amount of storage space you have dictates how much data — like images and text — you can store on your server. Most hosting companies use regular solid-state drives or SSD storage to ensure reliable performance. Some hosts use nonvolatile memory express — NVMe — storage to provide even faster and more reliable service.
- Bandwidth:Sometimes expressed as data transfer in 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’ll be able to accommodate your increased needs with ease.
Managed vs. unmanaged
Managed hosting involves the web host conducting essential server maintenance, including software updates and adjustments, for you. Unmanaged hosting involves you — or a system administrator you hire — handling 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 issues each week. Some hosts go beyond this to offer 99.99% uptime guarantees, meaning that sites hosted through these companies won’t experience more than two minutes of downtime per week due to server issues.
Operating system options
Many VPS plans let you 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 support
Your web host should offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Many offer 24/7 customer support via phone as well.
Remember that 24/7 customer support doesn’t necessarily mean good support. Read reviews of any company you’re considering to determine how effective its customer support actually is.
Source: CNET
