Quality vs Quantity: Do Single Websites Require a Dedicated Server?

August 16, 2012
by Jonathan Watkins

Dedicated servers are considered a rather elite form of web hosting, eclipsing the offerings of its lesser counterparts - shared hosting and virtual private servers. Many users have outgrown these servers, leading to the inevitable move to a dedicated server, often down to their sites bringing in a level of traffic that requires more than these solutions can offer. But while hosting a number of popular websites evidently warrants the use of a dedicated server, do single websites always necessitate this more advanced and expensive hosting solution?

Well as stated the predominant reason to upgrade to a dedicated server is due to a high level of traffic, which requires more resources than are made available by shared servers. A site with this amount of traffic will demand more CPU, memory and bandwidth, meaning that whether you have one website or 100 the need for a dedicated server is there, irrelevant of size.

With the resource requirement also increasing, so may your software needs, and dedicated servers generally provide more advanced software than shared servers. Analysis of what your website needs and what each individual server offers is essential, as you could tie yourself down to a server which doesn't match you demands.

An increase in traffic is plain and simple to see, however another reason to opt for a dedicated server takes a bit of faith in your website. By signing up for a shared server, you are potentially locking yourself in for a period of time with little room for growth. By foreseeing future growth through, and opting for a dedicated server early, when your sites traffic does eventually increase, you'll have the resources ready and waiting. This is far easier than migrating your site at a later date.

Ultimately, the number of websites you have is irrelevant, but the level of traffic and resources required are most certainly not. A dedicated server is the best hosting solution around, and while it is an expensive option it's worth the money you spend.

The speed and resources available to your website will be the best money can buy, and you don't have to share the server with any other sites, thus protecting your site from outside interference.

If the website is already pulling in a high number of visitors, then utilizing this top solution is a definite. However, it's also a great hosting solution for a site with ambitions and one investing in the future.

As for single websites, if you're sole site brings in 1 million customers, its needs match the same requirements as ten websites having 100,000 viewers each, so no matter the quantity of sites, you need the quality of the server.

About Author
Jonathan is a senior writer covering web hosting and tech news on FindDedicatedServer.com. Jonathan graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA (Hons) in Journalism and has been working for various websites, magazines and newspapers.

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