Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Advice about shared hosting vs VPS

[CSStudent]

By looking around, I know this comes up a bit but even after spending hours researching the topic, as well as on here, I still feel like maybe I should try to get some more tailored advice to my situation.


I currently own one VPS that I host a small forum on and let it run other things for me (i.e. znc, OpenVPN, etc.). There are no add-ons to this VPS. Just a simple LAMP set-up (no panel or anything).

Right now, I'm looking at setting up two sites and a mail server. The primary site will be for my dad's engineering work among other things.

The second site (different domain name) is a site I'm setting up for my cousin who is tarting a new business.

In addition, I may put a couple other small things up to help some family members (for instance, one of them is a photographer and has been wanting to showcase).

Another big thing I want to do is setup e-mail addresses/mail server for both sites. I'll be actually changing my primary e-mail to the first domain name.

I started out with a Windows VPS. Originally, I got it to learn a little and I thought this would be great but since this is all new to me, I was spending a lot more time just trying to get it set-up than I wanted. I work full-time and am also attending school. I don't have that much time to mess with backend stuff and learning experiences as I want for something that also needs to be production. It's a lot easier to set up a Windows server at home and fiddle with something that doesn't matter.

So, for something production, I want more stability and not worried that if I get bogged down with classes, that the sites go down. In addition, it's hard for me to justify paying for a Windows VPS right now.

So, all day I've been looking at different options. I was drawn to the managed Linux VPS setup since I could still have a little control plus the other advantages a VPS brings but, being managed, I wouldn't have to worry as much.

I've also been looking at shared hosting and just going with that. My domains are registered with name.com and I was looking at their hosting as well as HostGator. Name.com seems to use Google Apps for e-mail, though, and I'd rather not (personal preference). The only managed VPS I found that wasn't too expensive was HostaVPS but I've been seeing a lot of negative things about them which makes me weary but everything is way too high.

So, I guess this is a long-winded way of asking...what's the best course of action? Should I just go with the shared hosting and get a plan that allows for multiple domains. I found a pretty good deal with HostGator (dedicated IP address included) and am thinking of taking it. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

Thank you to anyone who stuck with me through this long explanation.

[Orien]

Are you looking at replacing what you have now with one solution? I ask because shared hosting is fine for your sites, email, etc., but it won't have things like OpenVPN.

[CSStudent]

Originally Posted by oReindeer

Are you looking at replacing what you have now with one solution? I ask because shared hosting is fine for your sites, email, etc., but it won't have things like OpenVPN.

I should have mentioned that. Thank you. No, the VPS I have set up will stay as-is. I was just mentioning that I don't need a VPS for any extra stuff besides what I'm doing since I already have one VPS. I'm just looking for a solution for these new sites/e-mail solution that I'm trying to build.

I don't wish to add to or take away from the VPS that I currently have.

[Orien]

Originally Posted by CSStudent

I should have mentioned that. Thank you. No, the VPS I have set up will stay as-is. I was just mentioning that I don't need a VPS for any extra stuff besides what I'm doing since I already have one VPS. I'm just looking for a solution for these new sites/e-mail solution that I'm trying to build.

I don't wish to add to or take away from the VPS that I currently have.

Got it.

Since you mentioned production stability as a priority, I'd say just go with a good shared hosting account. Depending on your budget, I can recommend StableHost or MediaLayer.

[CSStudent]

Do you think hosting the e-mail with a shared host is an okay idea or could it be problematic? One nice thing about the VPS is that I can have control over the mail server and I just want to make sure that there will be no issues.

[fshagan]

Originally Posted by CSStudent

Do you think hosting the e-mail with a shared host is an okay idea or could it be problematic? One nice thing about the VPS is that I can have control over the mail server and I just want to make sure that there will be no issues.

Typically, shared hosts will allow from 200 to 300 emails per hour from each account. If you're planning on sending an email newsletter or something like that, they are not a good choice. But for average email use they are fine.

If you use an iPhone you will want to make sure the host provides IMAP email; most do, but there are a few that don't offer IMAP (with IMAP, the messages are left on the server and the device checks the server every minute or two for new email).