When it comes to handling traffic, is your server more like a tortoise or a race car? If you’re not sure , you might want to get it serviced just in case.
With Black Friday on the horizon, online retailers are already bracing themselves for the chaos of huge traffic surges. Friday 29th November is no longer just a shopping spree – it’s a test of your shared server’s strength. So, is your current model ready to put the pedal to the metal?
4 flashing neon signs you need to upgrade
Before the rush starts, it’s important to make sure your site is prepared. How do you know if your server is feeling the strain? Here are some warning signs to look out for:
- Your bounce rates are soaring
- Your site is loading slower than usual
- You’ve faced frequent downtime or crashes during previous sales
- You’ve noticed users abandoning their shopping carts at checkout
With just 8 seconds to capture a potential customer’s attention, just one of these could signal that your server can’t handle the heat.
Your shared server can’t keep up
Ride-sharing is fun for a while, but imagine cramming all your friends into a tiny car that’s no longer fit for the road. Similarly, shared hosting means sharing resources with other websites, which can slow things down when the traffic starts pouring in.
With a virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server, on the other hand, you get a whole Audi to yourself. And yes, you can blast your favourite tunes. Both allow you to scale your resources as needed, making it easier to handle spikes in traffic without breaking a sweat – though, like an Audi, they do come at a slightly higher price point.
Dedicated servers vs. VPS – the pros and cons
If you’re looking to move on and up from a shared server, knowing which of these two options to pick can be tricky. So we’ve broken it down for you:
Virtual private servers
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