VPS hosting is an ideal option for those who want to have more resources but do not wish to invest in an expensive physical server. VPS hosting plans offer more resources, better security, wider scalability options and more at a lower cost compared to dedicated hosting. 

So it makes sense why most businesses would opt for VPS hosting, especially if they are planning to expand. However, it is essential to chart out your strategy for using its features correctly in order to reap the benefits of VPS hosting. 

If your server and its resources are not being utilized properly then your investment in the plan is futile. 

In this article we will learn the 5 common mistakes you can avoid when using VPS hosting to maximize its efficiency and be profitable for your business. 

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in VPS Hosting 

1. Security 

VPS hosting involves software components such as operating systems, database software, web server software and more. It is true that this hosting type is more secure than shared hosting, however if you are not regular with your updates, then there are chances of a security breach. Securing your data is of utmost importance if you run a business. 

Not using strong passwords can lead to security breaches. Using strong passwords would help in preventing unauthorized access to your accounts. If someone manages to access your account without your permission, there is a risk of data loss and theft, which could be harmful for your business. 

Among many of the great features of VPS hosting is the secure remote access to the hosting environment. Attackers could get the same access if it is not secured with strong passwords and encryption. So take security seriously and make the most of your VPS hosting features. 

2. Avoid overloading resources 

One of the simplest solutions to stop overloading resources is to switch to a higher- tier plan. When you get more RAM, CPU cores and better memory, you will not need to over utilize any resource. If you suspect that your website will need more resources in the near future, then it is best to make the switch right away. 

This way, you get more resources to work with. Another way to reduce load on your resources is by optimizing the VPS hosting environment. Optimizing your VPS hosting environment will help you use your resources carefully.  A few ways to optimize VPS is by using caching, content delivery network, reverse proxy and optimizing the website code.  

To avoid overloading your resources, regularly monitor your VPS hosting environment. This allows you to address any potential issues. You can also implement resource limits. This can help you prevent over usage of your resources. 

Select your hosting provider carefully. Depending on your needs and requirements, choose a provider that can give you your ideal resources. If you are dealing with a hosting provider that is not capable of handling the amount of traffic you receive, then it is better to migrate your website to a new hosting provider. 

3. Regular Updates 

Ensure regular updates for your VPS server. This makes your server well optimized and secure. It is best to choose a VPS hosting provider that offers automatic updates. 

Another way to stay on top of updates is to use monitoring tools such as Nagios, which can help in detecting problems that could occur in your server. Your server will be updated for you as well. Monitoring will be detailed in more detail in later sections. 

An important thing to keep in mind is that you should always keep track of the updates that are needed for any of the third party applications that you have installed. 

Use managed VPS hosting plans so that you don’t have to worry about updates as these tasks will be handled by the hosting providers. 

4. Regular Backups 

It is important to back up your data and avoid losing important information. You can schedule your backups yourself or you can rely on your provider. 

The backup tool that you use is also important. For example, use Acronis. It  is an excellent tool that you can use to backup your data. They can also help you compress and encrypt data while storing your data in a secure location. 

A great strategy to avoid loss of data is to store it in multiple locations. Utilize cloud storage, external hard drive and a separate server to keep your data safe in case disaster strikes. 

Check if your data is restored accurately and regularly. Being mindful of your data and its storage can pay off well. Automated backups are also provided by many reliable hosting providers, so make use of such features as it is absolutely essential for a business. 

5. Monitoring 

Monitoring your VPS is a crucial step to ensure its optimal performance. You can monitor your resources such as CPU, memory, disk usage etc. Apart from Nagios you can also use other monitoring tools such as Zabbix or Cacti for this purpose. 

There are many advantages to using monitoring tools. For example, Zabbix helps you monitor your disk space, measure CPU load and also makes sure that your SSH is online. 

Bonus tip! 

Technical expertise 

Unless you are using a managed VPS hosting plan, you will need to have some level of technical knowledge. 

You can hire a system administrator to help you set up your VPS and manage it. If you have no technical expertise and no time to manage your server and the business, then this is a good option. 

Simple configurations can help in managing the server. Using managed applications is another way to reduce the need for technical expertise when using VPS hosting. 

All these issues can be solved if you use a managed VPS hosting service. A managed VPS hosting has all features to make sure that your server is well secured, optimized for the best resource utilization, is regularly updated, backed up and constantly monitored. 

Conclusion 

VPS hosting is a great hosting option for those who are looking to expand their business. Even though the features most plans offer are great, there lies some responsibility on the users’ side as well. 

In this article we have discussed 5 common problems that can lead to minimizing benefits of VPS hosting plans. 

The first major mistake to avoid is taking security too lightly. We know that VPS hosting has better security features and your website will be safe from attackers and other threats. However, taking security too lightly can cause breaches no matter what feature you are given. 

Use strong passwords and take measures to prevent any unauthorized access to your account. 

Do not overload your resources. Plan out how to utilize your resources instead. If your current plan does not meet your requirements, then switch to a different plan. Optimize your VPS hosting environment and use the resources mindfully. 

Other steps you can take to avoid overloading your resources when using VPS hosting is to monitor the server and selecting the ideal hosting provider. 

The third mistake to avoid is using an outdated server. Regular updates are necessary for the server to deliver its best performance. You can use monitoring tools to help keep track of upcoming updates. Switch to managed VPS hosting to avoid unnecessary hassles! 

Backups are extremely important for a business. You can use tools to backup your data. Storing data in multiple locations is also a good strategy. Automated backups should be one of the most important features to look for when choosing a VPS hosting plan. 

None of these issues will be found unless you monitor your server. So keep it as an important tip. Using monitoring tools is very helpful in such situations. These tools can be used to identify when and where a potential problem could arise so that you are prepared for it. 

VPS hosting is a great option when you are expanding your business. Make it worth the price by keeping these tips in mind!