If your website is growing and your shared hosting can no longer handle the traffic, it’s time to evaluate new solutions. A shared hosting plan is ideal for small projects, but when visits increase, performance can be affected: slow loading times, site crashes, or even security issues. This not only impacts your users’ experience, but also your search engine ranking, as Google prioritizes fast and stable sites.
In this article, we explain what to do if your shared hosting falls short, what specific alternatives you can consider, and how to choose a provider that suits your needs. From VPS plans to dedicated hosting, we’ll guide you through making an informed decision and keeping your project online without complications.
Why doesn’t my shared hosting support my traffic?
Shared hosting means that your site shares resources such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth with other sites on the same server. This works well for personal blogs, portfolios, or small online stores with up to 10.000 monthly visits.
However, if your traffic grows significantly or you have spikes in visits (for example, during marketing campaigns), limited resources can cause slowdowns or crashes. Factors such as heavy scripts, poorly optimized plugins, or large databases also exacerbate the problem.
Another key point is scalability. Shared plans are not designed to handle high traffic volumes or sites with advanced technical needs, such as dynamic web applications. If you notice that your site takes more than 3 seconds to load or experiences 503 errors, it’s a clear sign that you need a higher plan.
Hosting options for high-traffic sites
VPS: Greater control and dedicated resources
A virtual private server (VPS) offers dedicated resources, such as CPU and RAM, ensuring better performance and stability. It is ideal for sites with 50,000 to 100.000 monthly visits or online stores with constant traffic. In addition, a VPS gives you more control to optimize configurations, such as using web servers like Nginx or installing advanced caching systems. Prices typically start at $10-$30 USD per month, depending on the provider.
Dedicated hosting: Maximum performance
If your site exceeds 100,000 monthly visits or requires intensive applications (such as streaming or SaaS platforms), a dedicated server is the best option. Here, the entire server is exclusive to your project, eliminating bottlenecks and allowing for advanced customizations. However, it is a bit more expensive and requires technical knowledge or specialized support.
Cloud hosting: Flexible scalability
Cloud hosting is perfect for sites with unpredictable traffic spikes, such as news portals or stores during Black Friday. This type of hosting distributes resources across multiple servers, improving redundancy and uptime.
Many providers offer affordable cloud solutions with fast technical support, ideal for those looking for scalability without technical complications.
CMS-optimized hosting (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)
If you use a CMS such as WordPress, consider hosting optimized for these platforms. These plans include specific configurations, such as pre-installed cache, automatic updates, and enhanced security. They are ideal for sites with 20,000 to 80,000 monthly visits and make management easier for users without technical experience.
How to choose the right provider
When looking for a new provider, evaluate these key factors:
- Performance: Look for servers with SSD disks, HTTP/2 support, and caching systems such as Varnish or Memcached.
- Technical support: A customer service team that responds quickly and in your language is crucial. Providers such as Neolo stand out for their 24/7 support, resolving issues in minutes.
- Scalability: Make sure the provider offers plans that grow with your project, from VPS to dedicated servers.
- Server location: Choose servers close to your audience to reduce latency. For example, if your audience is in Latin America, prioritize data centers in the region.
- Security: Free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and automatic backups are essential.
Neolo, for example, combines competitive prices with responsive technical support, making it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable provider without breaking the bank.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
When should I switch from shared hosting to another plan?
If your site has more than 10.000 monthly visits, load times exceeding 3 seconds, or frequent crashes, it’s time to consider a VPS, cloud hosting, or a dedicated plan, depending on your budget and needs.
Which is better, a VPS or cloud hosting?
A VPS is ideal for sites with constant traffic and specific technical needs. Cloud hosting is better for projects with unpredictable traffic spikes, as it offers greater scalability and redundancy.
Can I migrate my site without losing data?
Yes, most providers, such as Neolo, offer free migrations with technical support to ensure that your site, emails, and databases are transferred smoothly.
Which providers are reliable for high-traffic sites?
One of the most recommended providers is Neolo. This company stands out for its customer service and affordable plans, while AWS is ideal for advanced technical projects.
Does hosting affect my site’s SEO?
Yes, slow or unstable hosting can hurt your Google ranking, as loading speed and uptime are key factors for SEO.
Conclusion
If your shared hosting can’t handle your site’s traffic, it’s time to upgrade to a more powerful plan such as a VPS, cloud hosting, or a dedicated server.
Assess your traffic needs, budget, and technical level to choose the best option. A reliable provider with fast support and scalable plans will make a difference in your site’s performance.