Dedicated Server Hosting: How It Benefits You

Need to speed up your website? Consider a dedicated server and return to lightning speeds now. 

Nothing is possibly worse than a slow internet connection, expect perhaps no internet connection at all. While there are many reasons your internet may run slowly, or your website load at a snail’s pace, one of the main culprits is the fact that you are using a shared server. A shared server, as its name implies, is a public server that anyone with an account uses. During peak access hours your internet may load slowly, buffer continuously, or simply not connect until the traffic dies down. Enter the dedicated server. If you want to gain an added level of security, speed up your connection exponentially, then you need to explore the possibilities that a dedicated server offers. Here’s what you need to know to make your decision.

What is a dedicated server?

A dedicated server is not a public server. Meaning, you are the only user on there. It functions much like the public server, only faster and in a more secure fashion. Dedicated servers are most often used by businesses who need to make sure their sensitive information stays in-house. However, with the costs for a dedicated server lowering and becoming more affordable, if you run an online business or channel then a dedicated server could be what you need to take your internet (and your customer’s) experience to the next level.

Why You Need a Dedicated Server

On a public server it is pretty much a free-for-all, with those having the best connections and additional boosting software taking the lion’s share of the bandwidth. However, with a dedicated server you are the only one using the server. This means much less chance of a data breach from other users. With a public server you are not in control of much. With a dedicated server, you are the one calling the shots. You decide the which programs are used or discarded. The following benefits of a dedicated server make them worth more than their weight in cryptocurrency:

  • Better performance.

  • Better security.

  • Greater flexibility.

  • More reliable.

  • Unlimited access.

Top 5 Dedicated Server Companies in the U.S.

The following companies have received four- or five-star ratings from top tech reviewers:

HostGator

This dedicated server received top marks because it is user friendly, has a wide array of plans to fit most budgets, and its virtual private server is elegant and robust. It also comes with site building software, and its customer service is some of the best in the business.  The monthly cost starts at $20.

DreamHost

If security is your main concern, then DreamHost delivers. Their cloud hosting features are legendary, and they offer a money-back guarantee. If you use WordPress, then there is a staging feature. It does not have a window-based server, and there is no telephone support. However, the extensive management tools for your domain and its encryption still make it a very popular dedicated server company. Plans start at $89.98 for the basic plan.

Hostwinds

Have a ton of data and need space for storage, then this is the perfect dedicated server for you. It is powerful, has excellent uptime, and it comes with a money back guarantee. It is easy to use, and it has multiple tiers from which to choose. Expect to pay around $99 for the lowest tier of bandwidth.

Liquid Web

This company ONLY does dedicated server offerings. In comparison, many other hosting companies offer both the shared (public) hosting packages, as well as the dedicated packages. Liquid web focuses only on the virtual private servers and it makes their platforms powerful and high-end. They offer prorated VPS plans as well as reseller packages. They do not offer a money back guarantee, so you should be certain before you take a deep dive. Expect to pay around $199 per month for dedicated hosting.

GoDaddy

One of the big kids on the server block, GoDaddy is well known for its shared hosting packages. However, its VPS hosting services are equally excellent. Their servers do routine backups for you, but still give you the ability to have total control to customize everything. You are given an unlimited traffic server with a unmatched 99% uptime guarantee. Several packages are on offer and begin as low as $129.99 and go all the way up to $399.99 per month. The pricing is based on how much storage and memory you need.

How much do dedicated servers cost?

In general, dedicated servers cost more because you are not sharing the cost with other users. On average you can expect to spend anywhere from $100-$400 depending on the amount of storage space and bandwidth you need. As you can see, it is not cheap, especially when compared to the shared hosting services that start as low as $5 a month. Still, if speed, reliability, uptime, and security features are a must for your ecommerce busines, then a dedicated server is the way to go. A dedicated server is best for the following (not an exhaustive list):

  • Influencers. 

  • eCommerce sites with excellent traffic.

  • Large businesses with sensitive data.

  • Graphics and gaming companies.

When would you NOT want a dedicated server? If you only have a website whose basic function is to advertise your business’s service and hours of operation, then save yourself the money and aggravation by going with the regular shared webhosting services.