When my friend moved into his first apartment during college, he had three roommates. It was cheap. It was fun. But every morning, there was a problem: The Bathroom Line.
If his roommate decided to take a 45-minute shower, he was late for lectures. He had no control. He was sharing the hot water, the space and the noise.
One day, He realized he couldn’t do it anymore. He needed his own place.
Websites are exactly the same. When you start, you live in a “Shared Apartment” (Shared Hosting). When you grow, you move into your own “Home” (VPS).
But how do you know when it is time to move?
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared Hosting is where 99% of new blogs begin. Imagine a giant computer (server). The hosting company slices it into 500 little pieces and puts 500 different websites on it.
The Pros:
- Itās Cheap: It costs like $3 a month (the price of a coffee).
- Itās Easy: You don’t have to fix the plumbing. The Host handles the tech stuff.
The Cons:
- If another website on your server suddenly goes viral and gets 1 million visitors, your site might slow down. They use up all the “hot water” (resources).
- Limited Space: You can’t install weird custom software. You get what you get.
My Recommendation: If you are just starting, stick with Shared Hosting. My favourite host is Bluehost. Their shared plans are perfect for beginners because they are stable. Even though you have “roommates,” Bluehost is really good at managing them, so you rarely notice they are there.
Bluehost (My Favourite One)
When I first started, the technical stuff scared me. I went with Bluehost simply because they make the setup process idiot-proof. You don’t need to know code, you just click a few buttons and your site is live. Itās perfect if you just want to focus on writing and not fixing servers.
Disclaimer:Ā I earn a small commission if you sign up, at no cost to you.
What is VPS?
VPS stands for “Virtual Private Server.” It sounds fancy, but it just means you get a dedicated slice of the pie that nobody else can touch.
The Pros:
- No Roommates: If the website next door crashes, you are fine. You have your own “bathroom” (RAM and CPU).
- Total Control: You can paint the walls pink (install custom software).
- Speed: It is usually much faster because you aren’t fighting for resources.
The Cons:
- The Price: It costs more. Usually $20 to $50 a month.
- The Tech Skills: Sometimes you have to be your own handyman.
The 3 Signs You Need to Move Out
You don’t need a VPS on Day 1. That is like buying a 5-bedroom house for just you and your cat. But eventually, you might outgrow your shared plan. Here are the signs:
Sign 1: The “Slow-Mo” Load
Your site used to load instantly. Now, it takes 5 seconds. Your readers are clicking away because they are bored waiting. This means your “apartment” is too crowded.
Sign 2: The Crash
You sent an email to your subscribers, they all clicked the link at once, and… Error 503. Your site crashed. This is the digital version of the power going out because someone plugged in a hair dryer.
Sign 3: You Are Making Real Money
If your blog is just a hobby, a 1-hour crash is annoying. If your blog makes $500 a day, a 1-hour crash costs you $20. At this point, paying extra for a VPS is like buying insurance.
Moving houses in real life is a nightmare. You have to pack boxes, rent a truck, and lift heavy sofas. Moving websites can be scary too.
That is another reason I love Bluehost. They offer both Shared Hosting and VPS.
When you finally outgrow your starter plan, you don’t have to migrate to a new company. You just click a button in your dashboard that says “Upgrade.” They move all your digital assets into the new, bigger “apartment” for you. You don’t have to lift a finger.
Bluehost (My Favourite One)
When I first started, the technical stuff scared me. I went with Bluehost simply because they make the setup process idiot-proof. You don’t need to know code, you just click a few buttons and your site is live. Itās perfect if you just want to focus on writing and not fixing servers.
Disclaimer:Ā I earn a small commission if you sign up, at no cost to you.
There is a lot of pressure to have the “best” and “fastest” tech. People will tell you, “Oh, you NEED a VPS right now!”
Ignore them.
If you have 100 visitors a day, you do not need a VPS. You are fine in the dorm room. Save your money. Buy pizza.
But one day, when the “bathroom line” gets too long and your site starts feeling cramped, just remember: There is a nice, quiet private lounge waiting for you. And the hot water never runs out.
