What is the Difference Between Shared Hosting and VPS Hosting?

Definition.

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where multiple websites share the same physical server and its resources, such as CPU, RAM, operating system and disk space.

Shared hosting is the most affordable website hosting option but sites hosted on shared hosting plans can have limited bandwidth and will get slow when there’s a lot of traffic coming to the site. Sites can also be affected by other websites sharing the server resources.

How it works.

• Resource sharing – All websites on a shared server draw from the same pool of resources. This means that the server’s processing power, memory, and storage are divided among all hosted sites.
• Cost-effective – Shared hosting is typically the most affordable option because the costs of operating the server are spread across many users.
• Managed environment – Shared hosting providers take care of server management, including maintenance, updates, and security.

Ideal for.

• Freelancers, startups or small agencies – Freelancers or agencies with limited budgets and lower traffic websites can use a shared hosting server to host small websites for very little money.
• Beginners – Shared hosting is a beginner friendly hosting solution that almost anyone can get to grips with quickly.
• Simple websites – Sites that don’t require extensive resources or custom configurations.

Advantages.

• Affordability – Low cost makes it accessible for freelancers and smaller agencies who want to start offering reseller hosting options.
• Ease of use – No technical expertise is required; the hosting provider manages the server.
• Quick setup – Easy to get started with minimal configuration.

Disadvantages.

• Limited resources – Depending on the hosting provider, you may not have access to web hosting monitoring tech and will need to look elsewhere for crucial tools to build your client’s site successfully.
• Limited power – Sharing resources can lead to performance issues if one site consumes too much bandwidth or processing power.
• Less control – Limited ability to customise server settings and configurations.
• Security risks – Higher risk of security issues due to multiple sites being hosted on the same server.

We have an in-depth look at the true cost of hosting a website with a shared hosting plan that you may find helpful if you’re weighing up your options at the moment.

Definition.

VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting provides a dedicated portion of a physical server’s resources to your website, offering a middle ground between shared hosting and dedicated hosting.

A VPS hosting plan is far cheaper than a dedicated hosting plan, but more expensive than cloud hosting or shared hosting. If you choose VPS hosting, though, you’ll enjoy a private server space that you can set up to work perfectly with the websites you host. Build all your sites on WordPress? Well, enjoy managed WordPress hosting with a VPS hosting plan from Nimbus.

How it works.

• Virtualisation – A physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers, each with its own dedicated resources (like RAM and storage, for example).
• Isolation – Each VPS operates independently, with its own operating system, ensuring better performance and security.
• Root access – Users have root access to their virtual server, allowing for custom configurations and software installations.

Ideal for.

• Growing Agencies – Agencies hosting higher traffic websites, a lot of websites or those expecting significant growth.
• Resource-Intensive Websites – Sites requiring more control, customisation, and reliable performance.
• Reselling – Reseller hosting allows you to sell hosting services to your clients, and VPS hosting is perfect for this because you can customise the environment and set it up perfectly for your clients.

Advantages.

• Dedicated Resources – Dedicated RAM and storage, as well as a less contended CPU ensure consistent performance.
• Customisation – Full control over server settings and configurations.
• Scalability – Easily upgrade resources as your agency grows.
• Enhanced Security – Isolation from other websites reduces the risk of security breaches.

Perceived disadvantages.

• Higher Cost – More expensive than shared hosting due to dedicated resources.
• Technical Knowledge Required – Requires more technical expertise to manage and maintain the server 
• Setup Time – Takes longer to set up and configure compared to shared hosting.

In reality.

A managed VPS hosting from Nimbus says goodbye to a lot of the perceived disadvantages that come with VPS hosting. For example, our VPS hosting plans start at very affordable prices that some shared hosting providers cannot compete with. Our platform also takes a lot of the hassle out of managed servers, allowing you to focus on building your clients beautiful websites. And, there is barely any set up time, you get your server almost instantly after checkout. 

So, if you worried about cost, technical expertise or delays, choose Nimbus and see why we’re the number one choice in the UK for agencies looking to host more than one website on a secure, reliable and powerful platform.

While we may be a bit biassed as we offer exceptional VPS hosting plans tailored to an agency’s needs, we believe that any agency that wants to take its hosting seriously should consider VPS hosting. Still, there are a few cases where shared hosting may suit an agency’s needs.

So, when choosing the best web hosting for your agency, consider the following factors:

Budget.

If you’re on a tight budget and all your client’s sites are lower-traffic, shared hosting may be the best starting point. It’s the cheaper option and provides the essential features needed for smaller, less complex websites.

Growth.

For agencies expecting rapid growth or handling high-traffic websites, VPS hosting offers the scalability and performance needed. With VPS hosting, you can easily upgrade resources like CPU, RAM, and storage to accommodate increasing traffic and data without experiencing downtime or performance issues.

Technical requirements.

If your projects require custom configurations or specific software, VPS hosting provides the necessary control and flexibility. Unlike shared hosting, VPS allows you to install and configure software, manage resources, and optimise your server environment to meet your unique needs – and if all this sounds too tricky for you, our managed VPS hosting plans are here to help.

Security needs.

For higher security requirements, VPS hosting’s isolated environment is more suitable. Each VPS operates independently, ensuring that your data and applications are secure from other users. This isolation significantly reduces the risk of security breaches compared to shared hosting.

Performance.

With dedicated resources such as CPU, RAM, and storage, VPS hosting ensures consistent and high performance. This is crucial for agencies running resource-intensive applications, large databases, or multiple websites. Faster loading times and better reliability can significantly enhance user experience and SEO rankings.

Reselling.

If you’d like to resell hosting services to your clients, VPS is the best option of the two. The customisation options, improved security and performance ensure that your client’s sites are always lightning-fast. Not to mention, you create custom dashboards to tailor the hosting platform to you and your clients.

Customisation and control.

VPS hosting provides root access, allowing you to fully control your server environment. This level of access means you can customise server settings, install custom software, and configure security measures tailored to your agency’s specific needs, which is not possible with shared hosting.

Reliability.

VPS hosting typically offers better uptime and reliability compared to shared hosting. Since resources are not shared with other users, there is less risk of downtime or slow performance due to high traffic on other websites. This reliability is essential for maintaining a professional online presence and ensuring client satisfaction.

Support.

Our VPS hosting plans come with enhanced support from a team of helpful and friendly experts. Plus, our easy-to-use, yet powerful platform does much of the server management for you. Tasks including updates, backups, and monitoring, for example, are all taken care of for you. And if you run into any issues our experienced team is here to resolved them quickly. Managed hosting can be a significant advantage for agencies that prefer to focus on their core business activities rather than server maintenance. So, you focus on building beautiful websites for your clients, and we’ll make sure they are running smoothly and efficiently.

Compliance.

For agencies dealing with sensitive data or operating in regulated industries, VPS hosting offers better compliance options. The isolated environment and enhanced security features can help meet stringent regulatory requirements and protect sensitive information.

Both shared hosting and VPS hosting have their place within a digital agency’s arsenal. The choice ultimately depends on your agency’s specific needs, budget, and technical capabilities. At Nimbus, we offer powerful, scalable and eco-friendly VPS hosting plans tailored to digital agencies, ensuring powerful performance for your client’s site and exceptional support for you.