Is it worth moving a low traffic site to a Managed VPS?

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My website was doing pretty well on a GoDaddy US legacy shared server hosting at one stage getting to over 10,000 unique visitors a month.

Then they told me I needed to move the site to a 4GH shared server to be able to use upto date features such as the latest WordPress etc. The server was also based in Europe.

I did this and six months later I have lost 95% of my search engine traffic and a lot of sales consequently.

I have since learnt from the Warrior Forum members, never to host with GoDaddy or to host with your domain name provider.

So I want to move hosting provider.

So my question is, is it worth moving from $12 per month unlimited GoDaddy hosting to the $49/$50 for WiredTree/Liquid Web Managed VPS hosting? Especially since my sales have fallen and I have to rebuild.

Or is it better to stay on a shared server (perhaps with Hostgator in the US), build up the sales and then move to a VPS but then have to move server and change IP address again etc.

I just want to avoid losing the traffic once more like I did this time so am thinking perhaps it is better to start with a VPS so I don't have to change in the future as my traffic builds.

It would be great to hear your advice and your experiences with this kind of situation.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #low #managed #moving #site #traffic #vps #worth
  • If you are certain that you will build up your traffic again and will require a VPS then avoiding changing again would be easier but a waste while you don't require it. Consider using a web hosting company that has shared hosting plans, VPS and dedicated solutions, e.g Hostgator or InMotion Hosting, so that you can upgrade easier as your site grows again.
  • Why don't you use hostgator or other of the common hosting companies?Or if you think you can rebuild your traffic and will take your investment back go for a VPS
    • [1] reply
    • I would be surprised if your hosting was the cause of the loss of traffic...could it have been a panda or a penguin perhaps?
      • [2] replies
  • People here told you the truth; GoDadday is one of the worst host out there.

    Your hosting needs depend on the requirements of your applications/software. For example a forum software with that many unique vistors won't work well with most shared hosts.

    But a Wordpress site with no demanding plugin and caching turned on will do just fine.

    10K uniques can do fine on shared host if your website has less demanding components.

    Try NOT to go for unlimited shared hosts. That's just a marketing gimmick. There is no such thing as Unlimited. They are over sellers.

    Visit webhostingtalk.com, it's one the best forum on Hosting. Try to find reviews there.

    Personally, I recommend Hawk Host or Stable host for shared hosting.

    Hope that helps
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • If you're looking for a VPS, my vote is on WiredTree.
  • What about WPEngine? That's a wordpress managed host. I'm considering using them but they're very expensive.
  • At first glance I read 10,000 a day. For 10,000 visitors a month a smaller VPS for $20-$30 should be fine I'd say, especially if it's just WordPress and not logged-in VBulletin users (but even for that a smaller VPS should be enough). Knownhost $35
  • Banned
    Vps would surely help you with that amount of traffic. I think a VPS with bluehost or Hostgator would be the best for you.
    Best of luck with your site.
  • Thanks for these comments. It looks like a shared hosting option with a quality host rather than the bigger companies may be the option.

    Also a lot of people have said GoDaddy's 4GH servers are no good and it could be their load time which has made an impact on my search engine traffic.

    So, I am doing a little more investigation and planning to move. Stablehost and MDD Hosting have a couple of premium shared hosting services where they restrict the number of accounts hosted. They seem to be inbetween VPS and shared hosting.

    Unless I have misunderstood their offering.
  • Of the two, go with MDD. Michael Denny is a good guy. Stable host basically ripped Eleven2's site design, then made minor changes when it was brought to lite.
  • As a hosting professional I would say you never need a VPS for a low-traffic website. It adds more expense and complexity than necessary. 'Shared' hosting on a cloud infrastructure is a cost effective way to improve your performance.
  • Cloudflare really is awesome. And it may be worth having a VPS as it will future proof you (instant upgrade/downgrade) not to mention having your own container provides some additional security.
  • So I have finally moved to MDD Hosting.

    As mentioned, there was a bit of a hiccup initially. It all seems to be working now though. Just finding my way round a couple of database issues. The main website and associated blog plus the second website being hosted there are working fine.

    I have cancelled the seemingly unending list of products I had with GoDaddy including some I cannot remember ordering never mind using.

    My Google Page Speed ranking has increased from 72 to 76 within just a few days of the move - without changing anything else apart from the hosting provider and package. It had moved to 74 a day or so ago so hopefully it will automatically increase and lead to an increase in traffic.

    One question I had was whether it is worth getting a dedicated IP address? I think it would cost $2 or $3 more. Is there any benefit to this. I don't currently have any SSL requirements and the cart etc is done via Clickbank.
    • [1] reply
    • That's great to hear, glad Michael got you all setup. He's a great guy and very knowledgeable.

      I'm not sure if MDD is going to give you an IP without an SSL, as far as I can remember, they follow the rules. There's no benefit over having a dedicated IP, despite what some people may tell you.
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  • i am using hostgator and they seem good with high traffic level , also their support rocks!
    • [1] reply
    • If it matters to hosting to lose traffic then do not bother about money. My choice is dedicated server. Dedicated Server has also lot of benefit regarding huge flow of traffic.

      I have very good experience with HOSTGATOR.

      Try hosgator. If you PM me I will give you discount coupon.
  • Hi Rahul,
    I actually work at Incapsula so if you want to follow on Azmanar advice, keep me posted and I`ll be glad to help out a fellow Warrior.
  • A HostGator shared hosting account can take a surprisingly high amount of traffic. Unless your site is conducting some crazy script-processing in the background, you do not need anything better than a shared account for 10k unique visitors a month.
  • For just a simple website I would recommend HostGator and if that flops then move to a VPS or dedicated server if it is in your budget. I host over 50 domains receiving traffic on a third party shared hosting company with no issues whatsoever!
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    Is it worth moving a low traffic site to a Managed VPS?

    My website was doing pretty well on a GoDaddy US legacy shared server hosting at one stage getting to over 10,000 unique visitors a month. Then they told me I needed to move the site to a 4GH shared server to be able to use upto date features such as the latest WordPress etc. The server was also based in Europe.