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Is it time to upgrade to a dedicated server? If you are like many online business owners, you started out using a shared web hosting plan because it was convenient and more cost effective. Over time, however, a hosting upgrade becomes crucial for the continued success of your site performance.

The following examines available hosting levels, as well as looks at several signs you need to upgrade your current host and the top 5 advantages associated with upgrading. Finally, you will find our recommendations for the best companies and their dedicated server offerings.

Levels/ Types of Web Hosting

First, it’s important to understand that the purpose of a web host is to act as a storage center for your website. As a general rule, there are 4 types of web hosting when it comes to business websites, which differ in their storage capacity, server speed, reliability, control, and amount of technical knowledge you will need to use it. The 4 types of web hosting are:

1. Shared: When you opt for shared hosting, you are sharing both a physical server and software applications with other websites. While this is an affordable option that requires minimal technical knowledge, the fact that there may be thousands of other sites on the server means that your site usually runs slower and can’t handle excess traffic.
2. Virtual Private Server (VPS): Similar to a shared hosting plan, VPS hosting usually ensures there are fewer sites per server.
3. Dedicated Servers: A dedicated server means that your website has the web server entirely to itself, which improves performance and security and allows for admin or root access. Although it is a more expensive option than the previous two, this becomes an ideal option as your website expands and grows.
4. Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting refers to a team of servers that band together to host a group of websites you are responsible for. The servers work as a team to manage traffic spikes or high overall traffic, but don’t provide the root access needed to alter server settings and install some types of software.

Is it Time to Upgrade?

Determining whether or not it is time to upgrade to a dedicated server is actually very easy. Here are the most common indications that it is time for you to upgrade.

• Poor website performance: This includes a slow website (increased loading time for a page) and/ or one that frequently goes offline or gives visitors an error sign.
• Increased number of visitors: It is usually suggested that you strongly consider upgrading if you regularly get 100 or more visitors a day. A dedicated server has the ability to handle thousands of visitors every day.
• Multiple websites: If you manage more than one website, a shared host is highly unlikely to be able to accommodate the amount of traffic they all receive together.
• Planning an expansion: If you are getting ready to expand your website, use more intensive applications, and/ or host downloadable content and videos, it is time to upgrade. Failure to do is almost certain to interfere with your website’s overall performance.

The Advantages of Upgrading to a Dedicated Server

There are numerous benefits associated with upgrading to a dedicate server, so we’ll just discuss the top five below.

1. Your site will not only be more reliable, but it will also experience a huge improvement in performance. When you opt for a dedicated server, you never have to worry about sharing your resources. As a result, you can expect:Guaranteed server uptime, which ensures that your website will almost, if not always, be available. Increased speed because you don’t have to deal with other site’s clogging up the server’s RAM and CPU.
2. You will have complete control of hosting/ server resources. With no other sites using the server, you have complete control over resource distribution.
3. You will have the ability to use intensive applications. It’s entirely up to you to decide what programs, applications, and scrips are run on the server.
4. You will have the ability to customize. As the only site on the server, you can not only choose programs and software, but also configure disk space, CPU, and RAM. In addition, you will find it much easier to get additional space as your website expands and grows.
5. Your site will be more secure. Upgrading to a dedicated provider guarantees that you are not sharing space with a possible spammer or a malicious website. It is also known for offering one of the highest levels of security against adware and malware. This is especially important if you handle with sensitive information. After all, merchants that accept credit cards online are required to be PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant. Shared hosting is not PCI DSS compliant.

Our Recommendations

When you decide that it is time to upgrade to a dedicated server, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all the options available. To make things easier for you, we have compiled this short list of the best companies and their dedicated server offerings.

• XLHost: XLHost has 16+ different plans to choose from, ranging from 16 GB to 64 GB RAM. All setup is free and will be done within 24 hours of receiving your payment. They also offer 24/7/365 technical support.
• ServerWala: ServerWala 75 geographically located data centers to choose from.  Servers can be fully customized to accommodate your needs, from one hard drive to 100 hard drives, 8GB RAM to 1000GB RAM.  All deployed within 4hrs.
• BudgetVM: BudgetVM 84+ server options to choose from, starting at $80.88/mo.  Choose from data center locations with fast deployments.  Included with each server is DDoS Protection for ultimal security.
• GlowHost: GlowHost fully managed dedicated servers from 25+ different data center locations.  All servers receive 24/7 support with a 20min SLA on response, free migrations and uptime monitoring and are connected with a gigabit uplink for blazing fast speeds.
• MightWeb: MightWeb Tier 3 Chicago data center with 8 Intel & Dual servers ready to customize. All servers include DDoS mitigation protection, IPMI access, 24×7 support and 99.9% uptime SLA.
• RivalHost: Rival Host globally connect your server to customers , choose from 10 premium built servers (fully customizable) in 11 geographically located data centers.  All servers include 24/7 support, premium bandwidth, 99.9% uptime guarantee and 3Gbps of detect & mitigate DDoS protection.