Here at FastComet, we’re passionate about lightning-fast websites. So much so that we often post various ways to optimize performance (scheduling downtime for maintenance and balancing design and performance being the two most recent ones). Website performance is based on the resources your website has to work with, so have you ever wondered about upgrading your hosting?
No, this post is not about upselling a product. That’s a genuine question any website owner should ask themselves. Especially when your website starts showing you signs it needs more space.
We’ll discuss what “more space” means, show you the most common signals that indicate you should consider upgrading, and explain the benefits of doing so. Read on, because if your site is slow, then it might just need a new home.
Why “More Space” Matters
Firstly, let’s define the word “space” in the context of this blog post. Firstly, space refers to the disk space your hosting plan provides, which is the amount of storage available for your files. However, when we say “space,” we mean more than that.
Space in this context includes all the resources a hosting plan comes with.
- Disk Space: Room for files, images, videos, etc.
- Database Space: Same as disk space, but for your databases.
- Bandwidth: The amount of traffic your hosting plan and, therefore, website can handle.
- CPU and RAM: The “power” behind how fast your site loads and processes requests.
When your website starts outgrowing the space it has available, you will begin to notice. It begins with a gradual slowdown until the site can no longer function. To avoid that, read on for the most common signs that it’s time to upgrade.
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade
There are many ways your site can indicate that it needs more space, including slowness, downtime, storage space issues, an inability to handle traffic, or a lack of sufficient features. You will know when it’s time for upgrading your hosting plan, and these are the seven most common signals to look out for.
Website Slowness
This one is a classic and truly one of the first things you’ll notice. If your website is sluggish and not as snappy as it used to be, it’s time to check how it fits within its available resources.
If your pages load noticeably slower during busy hours, it is almost a sure sign that those resources are stretched thin. You shouldn’t disregard this, thinking it’s a temporary issue. Google loves speedy websites, and slowness can negatively affect your SEO.
Frequent Downtime
It’s normal for a website to experience downtime. We mentioned in the beginning that we even wrote a post about how scheduled downtime is beneficial. However, if your site is offline often–and not for maintenance–then something’s going on.
Overloaded servers or limited resources can cause such downtime, which not only hurts user trust but also negatively affects your site’s SEO. Again, if your site is asking for more resources than your plan can offer, it can simply go down.
Running Out of Storage Space
Whether your allotted disk space is running out or your databases are outgrowing their allocated space, having no room to store files or data can be a huge problem. This is common for media-heavy websites like photography portfolios or eCommerce stores.
If you frequently receive space notifications or often need to delete files, it’s time for an upgrade. Don’t let your hosting run out of space. Yes, you are paying for a certain amount, but you should never utilize it 100%. The hosting itself requires space to perform its various background functions.
Unable to Handle Traffic
The next classic red flag is slowness or even downtime during spikes in traffic. Traffic spikes should be an exciting moment! It means your site is garnering attention! But if it goes down because of it, it’s the exact opposite.
When that happens, the bandwidth your hosting has allocated for your plan is likely insufficient. Growing traffic is a great problem to have, but when it happens, you should scale your plan up accordingly.
Security Concerns
Entry-level hosting plans, especially Shared Hosting, often come with a decent amount of security features. However, as your plan grows and gains more traffic, you might want to consider more advanced security features.
This is especially true for websites that handle sensitive customer data, such as card details. An upgrade can often give you access to better firewalls, a dedicated IP address, and other stronger protections against cyber attacks.
You Need Better Features
Sometimes you just need better tools for your website. Or, sometimes you want to implement a new feature for your site, but it’s simply not possible on the current hosting plan.
At times like those, you should think about upgrading. Look into a hosting plan that can accommodate your site’s needs, in combination with improved resources, security, and stability. And, most importantly, the freedom to add any features you need.
Thinking About the Future
Finally, there just isn’t a sign sometimes. Many users know that bigger things are coming, and preparing for them is just part of the plan. If you are about to undertake a significant project, one that could be game-changing for your website, consider its potential consequences.
Are you about to launch a powerful marketing campaign for your store? Consider running a few tests to determine if your site can handle the increased traffic. Planning ahead like that and securing a more robust hosting plan can save you a lot of headaches.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Hosting
Now that you know the most common signs that your site needs more space to thrive, you might be wondering what the tangible benefits will be. It’s a good question to ask, considering a bigger plan is typically more expensive.
Fortunately, upgrading is often worth the price in the long run. Here are just some of the significant upsides you’ll see.
- Faster Performance: Better plans have more resources, but they also often have faster infrastructure. More CPU & RAM in combination with a LiteSpeed server will send your site speed flying. It’s better for your visitors, which in turn benefits SEO.
- Better Uptime: Depending on the hosting you choose, you can practically eliminate unwanted downtime. Your site can stay online through traffic spikes and only go down for maintenance.
- Enhanced Security: Keeping your customer data safe is something you must not slack on. If there is a hosting plan offering better security, it’s definitely something worth considering.
- Scalability: Better plans also come with the ability to add new features, tools, and content much more easily. Something like a VPS gives you the freedom to run your server as you want, for example.
- Peace of Mind: The best part is that you or your team can stop constantly monitoring your site’s resources and limits.
That last one is our favorite. Knowing that your site is up without staring at its resource usage can be such a relief. The rest are equally important, though. All of them contribute to a better user experience and less stress for you.
How to Decide Which Upgrade Is Right
Before we wrap up, we also want to go over a few common hosting types. Let’s take a look at them and explain what they are best for when it comes to upgrading your hosting. Not all are created equal, but they don’t have to. They simply serve different purposes.
- Shared Hosting: This type of hosting is best suited for new sites or those that are not expected to experience significant long-term growth (personal blogs, portfolios, etc.). However, even then, there is room to grow in such an environment. You can upgrade to a bigger Shared Hosting plan when necessary. Just remember that even they will be limited in the long term for a growing site.
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): This is the next logical step from Shared Hosting. It’s a solid middle ground that offers more power and flexibility, while still remaining affordable. Servers like this have better resources and often allow for more freedom when installing custom tools or features.
- Dedicated Hosting: Whether physical or virtual, a dedicated server is the last one we’ll recommend. This type of hosting is perfect for site owners and teams who need maximum control with exceptional performance.
Ultimately, however, it all comes down to what your website needs. If you are running a small blog for yourself, then upgrading within a Shared Hosting environment might be sufficient. The best part is that you’re not limited to just one hosting type.
Any good hosting company will be able to migrate your site from one environment to another without issues. If you are curious how that works, get in touch with us, and we’ll help you choose the best hosting for your site. And if you don’t see a plan suitable to your needs, let us know! We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Ensure Your Website Has Room to Grow
Outgrowing your hosting plan isn’t a setback. Instead, it’s a milestone that shows your website is thriving. Just like moving from a starter apartment into a larger home, upgrading gives you room to breathe, better stability, and space for what’s next.
Instead of waiting for your site to hit breaking point, consider whether now’s the right time to make the move. You now have all the information you need to make an educated decision. The sooner you upgrade, the happier your website and your visitors will be.
