A Beginner's Guide to Setting Up a VPS Hosting Environment

Once a website is created, it needs to be hosted on a server to make it live. But before hosting it online, you need to set up the server. There are countless hosting options available online, such as shared, dedicated, cloud, managed, and VPS. The topic will cover the Virtual Private Server (VPS) in detail today.

A VPS hosting solution checks all the marks for the majority of people. It gives the benefits of a dedicated server while being at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, it gives you full control of resources and their allocation, unlike a shared server. This means you can highly customize it and boost your website performance very easily.

Let this article guide you on how to set up a VPS hosting environment for your website.

Top 6 Tips for Setting Up a VPS Hosting Environment

Once you have gained access to a VPS server, you will need to do a number of things. You will need to create a virtual environment that is tailored to your specific needs. Moreover, you will need to place authorizations for access and ramp up its security. The more control and resources you have, the more efficient and responsive your website will run on the server.

That said, let’s read further to learn some top tips for setting up a hosting environment for your website.

1. Selecting a VPS Hosting provider

One of the most important factors before setting up a server is selecting a VPS hosting provider. Choosing and purchasing the right VPS hosting plan involves several steps. You need to list your needs and budgets, which can help you choose a suitable hosting service.

Whether you are a startup or a large business company, always opt for a scalable plan. Such a plan will allow you to upgrade or downgrade your VPS server as per business requirements. Moreover, consider things like storage, RAM, CPU, and bandwidth of the VPS server. You also take into account things like backup, support, and user reviews. You can contact VPS hosting companies to rent a server that aligns with your needs and budget.

2. Setting up Login and Credentials

Once you’ve acquired the right VPS hosting plan, you should move forward to setting up authorization protocols. Once you have the root admin user rights and password, log in to the VPS server for further action. If your server login isn’t secured and password protected, anyone can log into it and create disruptions.

You can create more accounts for secondary users and assign them limited rights. When you are logged in, you can also implement SSH or Secure Shell protocol for your server. The SSH keys for authentication add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

3. Updating VPS OS and applications

Most VPS servers come with the LINUX OS installed. LINUX is a highly customizable, open-source operating system. However, not everyone wants to host their OS on LINUX. Most users don’t know how to operate this OS, or their websites and applications aren’t compatible with it.

Many shared and managed hosting plans don’t have this functionality. However, the VPS host environment can be customized as per your needs. You can install LINUX, UNIX, Mac OS, UBUNTU, or Microsoft Windows. Moreover, you can install any supporting application and plugins that can boost your website’s performance.

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4. Hosting your website on server

Once you’ve customized the hosting environment, it’s time to place your website on the server. Begin by installing the desired server applications, such as Apache, Nginx, Tomcat, and Oracle. These servers communicate over networks from client to server using the TCP/IP protocol.

Moreover, they can be used for a wide variety of protocols, but the most common is HTTP/S. Implement a CMS and start placing necessary website files on the server. Install necessary plugins for added functionality. Last but not least, create and install your SSL certificate. If you’ve done all the steps correctly, your website becomes accessible online.

5. Enhancing server security

Once your VPS server and website are online, it is time to ensure their security. Insecure servers can be easily breached, and all files/data on them can be stolen. Similar is the case for websites. If tight security protocols aren’t followed, a website can be hacked instantly.

This is why you should enhance your server and website security. The benefit of a VPS server is that you can place any security software on it. You can install a firewall, antivirus, and antimalware software to protect your server from malicious attacks. Moreover, you can implement 2-factor authorization on your website so non-authorized personnel can’t access it.

6. Implementing Monitoring Systems

Once a website and server go online, they need to be monitored periodically. In the digital world, no one is safe from hacking and intrusion attempts. This is why you need to implement a strong monitoring system on your VPS server.

You can install an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and configure it with your existing firewall. This will allow you to detect external threats and mitigate them effectively. Even if you are away from the server, the system will automatically take necessary actions to safeguard your host machine. You can consult VPS hosting Dubai based agencies to rent a server and implement strong monitoring systems for your website.

Read also: 5 Best Dedicated WordPress Hosting Providers in 2024

Configure the best VPS server for your needs!

A VPS hosting solution is the perfect option if you want total control of the server. At a fraction of the dedicated server’s price, it lets you configure the server settings and install any application. And with the added benefit of resources, you can optimize your website for unmatched speed, response, and performance.