Dedicated hosting plans are perhaps the most common culprits in terms of under usage. Most people that have a dedicated hosting plan do not use more than half of their available server resources, and therefore waste a great deal do money each month. Knowing how and when to downgrade is an important aspect of conserving your budget resources and optimizing your hosting situations. The following information teaches you how to tell when it is time for a downgrade, while also revealing some alternatives to dedicated hosting that may be more suitable for you.

Steady Surplus

If you find that you have a steady surplus of server resources each month, and your empire of sites and traffic levels are not increasing rapidly, then it may be time to consider a downgrade. You can check the amount of server resources your account is currently consuming within the main section of your hosting control panel (usually on the top of the left navigation bar). To the contrary, if you’re gradually approaching the limit of your hosting capabilities then it may be time to schedule an upgrade. While it is recommended to have more than you need on hand in case of a rapid traffic surge, a good rule of thumb is – downgrade when you’re consistently using less than 50% of your plan’s capabilities. If you’re unsure about the total amount of server resources you’re currently consuming in relation to your plan limits, then you should call your hosting company to inquire about this as soon as possible.

Downgrade Decision

After deciding to downgrade, it can be difficult to select a plan, as everything else may seem substandard in comparison. Fortunately, since you already have a hosting plan, you should have access to the aforementioned server analysis stats in your control panel that will let you know exactly how much power you’re using. After determining how much you’re currently using, try to find a plan that offers at least 30% more than what you currently have. This will give you enough room for expansion, while also preventing a complete waste of money and energy. In most cases, you’ll want to consider downgrading to a VPS or reseller hosting plan, as these are the most similar to dedicated hosting. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a mix between shared and dedicated, whereas a reseller plan gives you the ability to brand and resell some of your hosting resources.

Consider Cloud Computing

If a structured billing schedule does not appeal to you and you would like to try something more flexible, you may want to consider cloud hosting. Cloud hosting is based on cloud computing, which pools entire networks of servers to bring you unlimited and instant expandability and scalability, while only charging you for the exact amount you use each month. This eliminates the guess work, save s you time and money, and ensures that you always have access to the server resources you need.

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If you’re having a hard time deciding whether dedicated hosting is worthy of the additional monthly expense, the following unique uses of dedicated hosting may help you make your decision.

Software Development and Utilization

Many web developers and webmasters use dedicated hosting specifically for the control and flexibility of the server resources,  because unlike other hosting plans, dedicated plans give you the freedom to adjust the software configuration of the server. This means you can install proprietary software that helps you automate tasks as aw webmaster, including those pertaining to search engine optimization. While VPS hosting also gives you this freedom in some cases, Virtual Private Server partitions are not as powerful as an entire dedicated server. Because of this freedom and flexibility, dedicated servers are the hosting type of choice for software developers and SEO specialists.

Building Massive Site Portfolios

If you’re planning on building a massive empire of web sites that can be operated within the same hosting control panel then you may want to consider the benefits of dedicated hosting. Dedicated servers are capable of hosting hundreds of sites simultaneously without problems, especially if you select a premium plan. Although cloud VPS hosting can give dedicated hosting competition in this regards, dedicated hosting gives you a more stable expense each month hat can be factored into a budget, whereas cloud hosting bills on a per-usage basis that can be very difficult to predict. If you want infinite expandability and a flexible payment  structure then go with cloud hosting, but if you want reliable monthly expenditure and predictable server capabilities then choose dedicated hosting.

Storing Databases

Dedicated hosting gives you an unprecedented amount of storage space for storing databases that can be the life of your web sites, even if you already have other hosting plans you can utilize dedicated hosting to store your backups, and even back up your computer’s hard drive to the server.

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Fundamental Differences

Dedicated hosting is used to describe a server environment in which you are given access to a web server that is not being utilized by any other webmaster. In other words, you have access to the entire web server ad its software configuration at all times, and you are basically leasing your own private web server. VPS (Virtual Private Hosting), while similar, does not give you access to an entire web server, but instead allocates a specific amount of server resources from a web server to your hosting account. VPS hosting is therefore an intermittent step between shared and dedicated hosting, sharing similarities with both hosting types yet leaning more towards a powerful version of shared hosting.

Cost and Setup

In terms of cost, VPS hosting can be purchased for a much lower price than dedicated hosting, with prices starting at only about $10 per month, depending on the plan and hosting provider. However, it should be noted that VPS hosting is one of the most versatile hosting types, with costs ranging into the hundreds for the more comprehensive plans. Dedicated hosting on the other hand is generally more expensive and the pricing is less flexible, with most hosting providers only offering a few dedicated hosting plans in both the Linux and Windows platforms. Fortunately, and ironically, the setup cost of dedicated and VPS hosting is usually less than shared hosting because plans can be paid for on a  monthly basis, whereas shared hosting (while cheaper overall) must be paid annually in many cases. If you’re on a budget and you need a plan that is more powerful than shared hosting then you may want to consider a VPS hosting plan.

Capabilities and Features

In general, unless you’re in need of an extensive hosting solution, you’ll probably find little difference between the performance of a dedicate hosting plan and a VPS hosting plan. However, some VPS hosting plans do have significant restrictions in regards to software configuration and installing your own software on the server. Even so, some VPS plans allow this, which is why it is important to check with the hosting provider if this is an important issue. Regardless of your needs or preferences, it cannot be disputed that dedicated hosting is more powerful than VPS hosting, unless you’re utilizing the cloud hosting environment.

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Where to Find Cheap Dedicated Hosting Plans

Unfortunately, most cheap dedicated hosting plans are offered by hosting companies that are relatively new, or considered less reliable than mainstream dedicated hosting providers. Even so, some major web hosting companies do offer discounted dedicated hosting plans when they have surplus web servers, or they’ve recently upgraded to new models.

Reputable hosting providers like Inmotion Hosting, 1and1 and GoDaddy are known for providing cheap dedicated hosting plans for about $60-$100 per month, which is relatively inexpensive in comparison to plans that cost about $150 per month. It is even possible to find plans that cost about $30 per month in some cases, but these plans are usually offered by less popular web hosting companies. Don’t forget to check our Best Dedicated Hosting Award.

The Benefits of Cheap Dedicated Hosting Plans

Having a cheap dedicated hosting plan can help you save enough money each month to invest in other business endeavors during the month. However, this small savings may not be worth it for many business owners that do not want to sacrifice quality and reliability for price. Some of the cheaper dedicated hosting plans that are provided by less reputable hosting providers are not reliable enough to warrant the savings, as you may need to upgrade to a different dedicated hosting plan in the future.

Cheap dedicated hosting plans provide ideal alternatives to VPS hosting plans for individuals and webmasters that need a more robust solution after establishing more web sites and expanding their digital network. If you want all of your sites to perform equally at all times then you will need the power and devoted attention of a dedicated web server that is not being utilized by any other webmaster.

The Risks of Cheap Dedicated Hosting Plans

Cheap dedicated hosting plans are often less reliable because they operate using older web servers, or may be offered by companies that are newer and less established than reliable hosting providers. When you purchase a cheap dedicated hosting plan you acknowledge the fact that there is a reason for the cost difference, and this difference usually comes in the form of the lower reliability and less overall features.

If your web server does crash or the hosting company fails to provide proper support, it could mean the loss of several sales in the case of eCommerce, or just plain site down time. Both of these risks should be considered by the online business owner before deciding to save money on dedicated hosting.

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Managed and Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting

While the benefits of a dedicated web hosting account are clear, many people are not aware of the various types of dedicated hosting. The two types of dedicated hosting plans are managed, and unmanaged, and the main difference between these two hosting types is the amount of responsibility the user has over server administration. To give you a better understanding of your choices, we’ll do a brief review of both kinds, so that you can make an informed decision as to which service would be most suitable for your website(s).

Managed Hosting

With managed web hosting you’ll be able to relax with complete assurance that your web server is going to be maintained by professionals on a regular basis. This means you won’t have to worry about server downtime as much, and you’ll have access to a more reliable server. This is especially true if you’re a novice in server management, as you’ll most likely be unable to manage the server with equal competence to that of your web hosting provider. Since your server will be managed by your hosting provider, you’ll have instant access to automatic server updates, which will keep your server performing optimally at all times. Managed web hosting is an optimal solution for novice and intermediate users.

Unmanaged Hosting

With all of the aforementioned benefits of managed hosting, it would seem as if there is absolutely no reason to choose unmanaged web hosting, however there are some noted benefits, and your final decision should be based on your experience level and overall site needs. Although most of the server administrative tasks will be left up to you, you will have ample help and support to facilitate the management at all times.

You will also receive hardware and technical support, so it’s not as if you’re managing the server completely by yourself. If you run a large business, and you have access o a team of technicians, then you may want to choose unmanaged hosting, you’ll be able to create a more customized server environment. Although unmanaged hosting would not be a suitable solution for a novice user, an owner of a corporation or many websites may want to consider he added benefit of complete server control.

Cost

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two is the price. Since unmanaged web hosting gives you more responsibility over your server, you’ll be able to pay less. Managed web hosting will always be a more costly solution since you’ll essentially be paying for the technical expertise of your web hosting company on a continual basis.

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Advantages of a Dedicated Server

Dedicated servers are capable of computing huge amounts of data, and are rarely ever met with a challenge that cannot be dealt with efficiently. For this reason there are many software combinations that would run flawlessly on a dedicated server, without hindering the server’s ability to process data. If you frequently run server-based software that consumes a lot of system resources, then you may want to consider a dedicated web server due to their unmatched multitasking capabilities. The added power means that you will never have to worry about downtime, slow page loads, or any other problems that are frequently associated with shared hosting plans.

The Price of a Dedicated Server

Of course, with the above features and capabilities come an increased price tag and more maintenance responsibilities. Instead of the usual $5-$30 that you would pay for a shared hosting plan, you can expect to pay around $100-$150 for your dedicated server, depending upon what kind of server it is and what web hosting company you purchase your plan from. Since dedicated web servers are very complex pieces of machinery they require daily maintenance and support, therefore they represent a greater initial investment on behalf of the hosting company. In order to receive a desirable return on their investment web hosting companies are forced to charge higher prices for dedicated hosting plans.

Choosing a Plan Based on Your Site’s Needs

Dedicated web servers provide a vast amount of server resources, and thus are capable of dealing with massive spikes in traffic and bandwidth. For megasite owners, or people that own hundreds of websites, this kind of server setup is optimal, maybe even essential. However for those that own just a few websites or are just starting out online, it may not be necessary to have this much power at their disposal. In many cases having more than is needed is simply an extra monthly financial burden, and an unwarranted one at that. There are so many expenses involved with keeping an online business running smoothly, and in many cases new webmasters can strive for months before seeing even a small fraction of a return.

Conclusion

Instead of purchasing the best hosting plan on the market, you should consider purchasing the best hosting plan for you. Starting with a simple and convenient hosting plan and then gradually progressing into a more robust hosting setup is undoubtedly the most practical solution for any new webmaster.

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The Experience Factor

While some customers have the experience needed to maintain a dedicated server, others do not.  If you have a capable in-house team, you should be able to thrive just fine in this more complex environment.  For the more technically inclined user, managing an entire web server is usually no problem at all.  For those that have no experience or knowledgeable administrator, a managed solution may be the best option for their dedicated server.  With a managed service, the hosting provider handles the bulk of the maintenance and is often responsible for making sure the server stays up and running.  This generally includes taking care of the operating system, web server, applications and the hardware itself.  While an unmanaged server is usually the cheaper route, managed hosting is often the best way to go if you lack the knowledge and experience needed to maintain the system.

Is it the Right Move for You?

Whether or not you have the resources needed to manage a dedicated server is a critical factor to determining if this type of hosting is right for you.  If you are have the budget to take on the cost associated with leasing the hardware and feel that the hosting firm can provide you with an acceptable level of support, this could be the best move.  Regardless of where you stand in terms of experience, it is critical to first determine whether your website or business demands the power of a dedicated server.  If not, you could taking on an unnecessary expense and complexity that makes it more difficult for you to succeed.  As long as you warrant the need, a dedicated server can be a viable option whether you possess the technical abilities or not.  With the market for managed hosting services growing rapidly, you do not have to let the lack of experience deter your plans because solutions are widely available.

In today’s internet driven world, the website often reflects on the credibility of the company behind it.  A dedicated server can help you a establish and maintain a credible online presence while providing your business with the best possible chance to succeed.  If you are not sure of how to proceed, reach out to a few service providers for a little guidance.  This way, you can gather the information you need and perhaps find yourself a good partner in the process.

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