What do an e-commerce blogger who wants to increase website performance, a blogger searching for servers to host live translations, and a Forex market participant looking to minimize operational delays have in common? They will need a custom VPS to boost performance in their spheres of activity to maximize their income. If you work in adjacent spheres or need to run resource-intensive software and websites, you probably will need one too. In this advanced guide to choosing an optimal hosting plan, we’ll take a deeper dive into custom VPS plans, the key factors that distinguish a good VPS hosting plan from a bad one, and how to choose one to suit your needs.

What’s a VPS?

A VPS, or virtual private server, is a dedicated machine that hosts the data and software that allow individuals and companies to run resource-intensive websites and applications. For instance, Forex traders use VPS plans to deploy the EAs, or expert advisors, on a separate server that runs trading software and connects them to a trading network that enables a high-speed 24/7 Internet connection, increasing their trading effectiveness and running with minimal delay. In addition to market participants, a custom VPS server plan will also be a great benefit to:

  • E-commerce. Small and medium businesses, like e-commerce and online stores, want to increase their website performance and capacity and protect sensitive financial data.
  • Developers. From installing custom software to testing and developing new tools, custom VPS plans are a must-have for developers.
  • Individuals working with sensitive data should invest in custom VPS plans and get a VPS server to secure their data.
  • Gamers and bloggers looking for custom VPS plans to host live translations and customize the gaming experience.

With so many custom VPS plans available, choosing the right one is not a straightforward task. If you’re browsing for custom VPS plans, check out MyForexVPS, a company that streamlines the entire process: just fill in a short questionnaire, pay, and the custom VPS plan will be installed automatically. To find out more about available plans, click here.

How to Choose VPS Hosting Plans: Key Factors

With so many companies offering custom VPS plans, picking one to suit your best interests may be challenging. After all, you must account for multiple factors, including latency, server resources, the approximate price bracket, etc. To put it simply, a straightforward task can quickly transform into a time-consuming affair that will leave you scratching your head and checking your watch. Luckily, we’ve compiled key parameters to keep an eye on, which, hopefully, will save you some time and effort.

1. Latency 

It’s no surprise that trading is a time-sensitive business. As market indicators change every second, brokers and other market participants must react to the challenges and changes without delay. That’s why latency — a delay between triggering a command on your device and a transaction confirmation — is one of the most crucial parameters to consider when shopping for reliable custom VPS hosting plans. High latency leads to delays in transaction confirmation and heightens your chances of losing or failing on a trade. That’s why, when browsing for custom VPS hosting plans, choose private server plans that boast low latency that will allow you to react to market demands promptly.

2. Server Resources

CPU

The Central Processing Unit is the server’s brain responsible for processing and interpreting instructions, conducting necessary calculations, and performing tasks. An effective CPU guarantees fast response and precise executions, while a weak CPU can result in errors and delays.

CPU effectiveness depends on the task it needs to conduct. For instance, in many cases, choosing a CPU with two cores is more than enough. Of course, if your task or project is resource-heavy, like Forex trading or web development, look for custom VPS plans with multi-core processors (quad-core or more) to ensure a seamless performance.

RAM

Random Access Memory is akin to short-term memory: it temporarily stores the information that the CPU needs to access. RAM is one of the most crucial parameters to consider, as it will allow running multiple applications without worrying about lags, crashes, and delays.

The amount of RAM depends on your task. For instance, 2GB is typically a good starting point for small web hosting servers, more than 2GB is typical for Forex trading, while custom VPS plans with 6 to 8GB will better suit e-commerce businesses that run larger websites.

Storage

Storage is where your data is stored. Custom VPS plans offer different space, typically between 20 GB and a couple of terabytes. The latter comes with hefty monthly prices and is not something most users will need.

Simply put, more is not always better. Before cashing out for pricier custom VPS plans, consider whether you need all that extra storage in the first place. For instance, if you’re running Forex on your device, look for a plan with 20GB and ensure that it meets your EA’s requirement.

3. Scalability

Whether you’re only beginning your blogging career, jump-starting your Forex trading, or in the initial stages of developing your website, you don’t need to go for the priciest custom VPS plans. Simply put, a good VPS hosting plan should come with scalability and the ability to upgrade or downgrade your custom VPS plans, depending on your needs. It means you can start with the least expensive custom VPS plans, change them, and go for more advanced options as you employ more resource-heavy software or grow your website.

4. Reliable Uptime

When browsing for reliable custom VPS hosting plans, ensure they guarantee high uptime. Uptime is one of the parameters to consider because it represents the percentage of time the server is up and running to serve the data to end users. Simply put, uptime means that the custom server is reliable, available to users, and comes with historical performance metrics that showcase its availability.

5. Top-Notch Security Measures

When trading or dealing with sensitive personal and financial information, it’s crucial to ensure that your data is protected. It’s pivotal to ensure that the selected custom VPS plans integrate top-notch security measures, like protection against DDoS attacks, robust anti-malware features, firewalls, and constant security updates.

To wrap it up, if you’re trying to choose your first custom server from numerous VPS plans available, don’t automatically gravitate towards options offering larger storage and CPU productivity. Chances are that you won’t need terabytes of extra space for your first website or task. That is why it’s crucial to choose a custom plan that boasts scalability: as your projects become more resource-heavy, you will be able to upgrade to different plans without overpaying for the pricier options.