When searching for VPS hosting services, look out for the following signs of a good provider:
Reliability of Uptime
Uptime is the most important indicator of a dependable VPS hosting provider. It’s usually displayed as a percentage: for instance, if a company offers 99 percent uptime, its server is down for a total of seven hours or less each month (on average).
The higher a provider’s uptime, the more reliability you can expect. And that means your website will be at less risk of going down. That’s vital for the user experience you deliver and your search rankings. Look for VPS service providers that offer an uptime guarantee.
Unmanaged or Managed Plans
VPS hosting tends to be quite technical, which can make it difficult for newcomers to handle. That’s why web hosting providers usually offer two types of VPS plan: managed and unmanaged.
Managed is the better option if you want to build and expand your sites. The company will be responsible for all technical maintenance, so you can stay focused on your work and leave the complexities to the experts.
Server Speed
Server speed shouldn’t be confused with page speed: it refers to the length of time your hosting server takes when responding to queries. This reflects the service quality you can expect when you choose a VPS service provider.
Speed is a key factor in your search rankings. You can optimize your website to improve page load speed, but you can’t do the same for a web server. That’s down to the host.
But not every provider offers managed plans — some may avoid them because of costs, technical issues, and other concerns.
Data Backup
A solid backup system is a huge advantage, so make sure your hosting company has one set up. A lot of providers offer backups, but some are better than others.
Look into:
How often does the provider perform backups?
How long is data kept when backed up?
How easily can you restore data if needed?
Is data backup automated?
Can you organize tailored backup scheduling?
The more options available to you, the better a plan is likely to be. But this is usually something that can be implemented at an account level, so it may not be a deal-breaker from the start.
Pricing
Overall, technology costs are lower than they used to be. But you should concentrate less on the expense of your web hosting service, though, and perform a cost-benefit evaluation instead.
Even if you invest significant money for the market’s best provider, you still have to research your plan in detail. Make sure you know what you’re paying for and that you receive value for money.
And going for the cheapest option out there may not always be the best decision. If a provider offers unbelievably low prices, they might have cut costs somewhere — which could affect their quality of service.
Security Measures
VPS hosting is fundamentally more secure than shared hosting, but there are still variations between providers. Specifically, the type of hosting on offer.
Consider this carefully when picking a VPS plan. Any security problems could result in damage to your finances and your reputation, as customers may lose trust in your site and services.
Customer Service
Support plays a major role in your customer experience. You don’t want to be left on hold for hours while you wait to speak to your provider in a technical emergency. That’s why it’s best to do a trial run: contact the hosting company’s support team to assess their service before you sign up.
Another top tip is to assess the support channels available. Ticketing systems are common, but some hosts also offer customer service via phone, live chat, knowledge bases, and forums.
Extras that Boost Value
Web hosts dedicated to standing out on the market and gaining a competitive edge over other companies offer extras. That’s crucial when the majority of providers have similar services and products. A few special features can make all the difference.
Look for something extra that helps boost a provider’s appeal. This could be cost-cutting features, optimized performance, or another benefit you can’t easily find elsewhere.
Conclusion
Website owners must select a solid, dependable partner to ensure quality hosting. You could suffer serious consequences down the line if you pick a provider with a poor reputation and a weak range of services.
To help make your selection process easier, create a list of the most important areas for your site. Next, compare these with the range of services available from hosting companies that catch your eye.
Remember: a dirt-cheap price shouldn’t be the most important factor. Cutting one corner too many could bring you more hassle (and costs) than you expect if you need to fix unforeseen issues in the future.
