Business Hosting Explained: Choose the Right Setup

A practical guide to hosting your website, business applications and remote team.

Hosting is easy to overlook when everything is working. But as a business grows, its needs can
change. A website may attract more visitors. Staff may need to use specialist software from
different locations. Customers may rely on an online service being available throughout the day.

The right business hosting setup can give your website or applications the resources and
flexibility they need. The wrong one can leave you paying for features you don’t use, or trying to
manage a setup that no longer fits.

This guide explains the main types of hosting, when each might suit your business, and what to
consider before making a change.

What is business hosting?

Business hosting is a broad term for the services and infrastructure that keep a company’s
websites, applications and online systems available.

That might mean hosting a basic company website, an online store, a database or custom
software. Some businesses also need a central place where staff can access applications and
files remotely.

These jobs don’t all need the same setup. A small website may work well on a straightforward
hosting plan. Specialist software might need a Windows server. A team that uses the same
applications from different locations may benefit from a remote desktop environment.

The first step is to understand what you need your hosting to do.

The main types of business hosting

Shared hosting

With shared hosting, multiple websites use the same server and share its resources. It can be a
practical starting point for a small website with modest traffic and straightforward requirements.

The trade-off is that you have less control over the server environment. Performance can also
depend on the resources available and the demands placed on the wider server.

Shared hosting may be all you need for a simple website. If you need more control, particular
software or room to configure the server environment, it may be time to compare other options.

VPS hosting

A Virtual Private Server, or VPS, gives you a virtual server with allocated resources and more
control over its configuration. It runs on physical server infrastructure but operates as its own
environment. The exact resources and level of management depend on the provider and plan,
so check what’s included.

A business might consider a VPS when it needs particular software, runs several websites,
supports a database or wants more control over server settings. A VPS can also offer flexibility
as requirements change.

A VPS usually involves more responsibility than a basic shared hosting plan. You may need
technical knowledge, or a provider that can help with setup and support. Before choosing a
plan, check what support is included and what you’ll be expected to manage.

For a more detailed comparison,

read When a VPS Makes More Sense Than Shared Hosting
You can also explore VPS hosting from VPSBlocks

Application hosting

Application hosting provides an environment for software to run on a server. Some Windows
applications and web applications built with Microsoft technologies, for example, may need a
Windows Server environment with services such as IIS.

This can suit a business that relies on custom software, a specialist application or a system that
staff or customers need to access online. It can also give developers a place to deploy and
manage applications.

Compatibility is key. Before choosing a setup, check the software’s system requirements,
licensing, database needs and expected workload. Ask the software provider or developer what
environment they recommend.

For an example of what to consider when hosting Windows business software,

read Windows VPS Hosting for Business Software
You can also visit VPSBlocks’ Application Hosting page

Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services, often shortened to RDS, lets users connect to a Windows server and
access a desktop or specific applications remotely. Instead of installing and maintaining the
same software on every computer, a business can host it centrally and give staff remote access.

This may suit teams working from home, across several offices or out in the field. It can also
help when staff use different devices but need access to the same Windows-based applications.

A VPN and Remote Desktop Services solve different parts of the problem. A VPN can provide a
secure connection to a network. RDS provides access to a hosted desktop or application.
Depending on the setup, a business may use one or both.

Before setting up a remote desktop environment, plan user access, software licensing, server
capacity and security. The number of users and the applications they run can affect the
resources required.

Read Remote Desktop Services on a Hosted Windows Server for a closer look, or visit
VPSBlocks’ Remote Desktop Services page

When might a business need a VPS?

There isn’t one traffic figure or business size that automatically means you need a VPS. Start by
looking at what your current setup needs to do.

A VPS may be worth considering if:

● Your website or application needs more control over its server environment.
● You need software or server settings your current plan doesn’t support.
● Your business runs several websites, applications or databases.
● Your developer needs a particular server configuration.
● You want resources that can be adjusted as your requirements change.
● Your current provider can’t explain how your service is performing or what options you
have.

A VPS isn’t automatically the right choice for every business. If your current hosting meets your
needs, changing plans may add cost and complexity without solving a real problem. First
identify what isn’t working, then compare solutions against that need.

Does hosting affect SEO?

Hosting can affect parts of the website experience, including how quickly pages load and
whether the site is available when people visit. These things matter to visitors. A slow or
frequently unavailable site can make it harder for people to use your business online.

Google says Core Web Vitals are used by its ranking systems, but good scores alone don’t
guarantee high rankings. Search visibility depends on many factors, including whether a page is
useful and relevant to the searcher. See Google’s explanation of page experience in Search

A slow page could be caused by large images, inefficient code, too many plugins, third-party
tools or a server that’s struggling under load. A hosting change may help if the server is part of
the problem, but it won’t fix every cause.

For a practical look at one possible cause,

read Why Your Website Is Slowing Down (And It’s Probably Not What You Think).

A separate guide on hosting and SEO would also fit naturally here once it’s published.

What should you look for in a hosting provider?

Price matters, but it’s only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, consider:

Support: Can you reach someone who understands your type of hosting? Check the support
hours, contact options and what the service includes.

Server location: If your customers are mainly in Australia, ask where the servers are located
and whether that suits your audience and application.

Resources and flexibility: Understand what CPU, memory, storage and bandwidth are
included, and how these can change if your needs grow.

Backups: Find out what is backed up, how often backups are taken, how long they’re kept and
whether restoring data costs extra.

Security and access: Ask how server access is managed, what security features are available
and which tasks are your responsibility.

Management: Some businesses want to manage their own server. Others prefer help with
updates, configuration, backups or troubleshooting. Be clear about the level of support you
need.

Migration: If you’re moving an existing website or application, ask how the transfer will be
planned and tested. A migration should account for software, data, email, domain settings and
connections to other systems.

For more guidance, read What Should I Look for in a Web Hosting Service?

How to choose the right setup

Start by writing down what your hosting needs to support. List the websites, applications and
databases you use, who needs access, how many people may use the system at once, and any
software requirements you’ve been given.

Then consider what you want the provider to manage. Do you have someone who can configure
and maintain the server? Do you need help with setup, updates, backups or troubleshooting? A
lower monthly price may not be the best value if the plan leaves your team with work it isn’t
equipped to handle.

Finally, compare options against your actual requirements. Ask the provider to explain the
resources included, any extra costs, how support works and how the setup can change over
time. If an application is business-critical, involve the software provider or developer before
committing to a new environment.

If you decide to move, plan the transfer carefully. A dedicated guide to planning a business
hosting migration would be a useful next article in this series.

Business hosting should fit the work

There’s no single hosting plan that suits every company. A basic website, a custom application
and a team using Remote Desktop all have different needs.

Start with the job you need hosting to do. Check the software requirements, think about who will
manage the setup, and choose a provider that can explain the options clearly. That gives you a
sound basis for deciding whether shared hosting, a VPS, application hosting or Remote
Desktop Services is right for your business.

VPSBlocks offers VPS hosting for a range of business needs, including Windows applications
and Remote Desktop Services. If you’re unsure which setup fits, speak with the team about your
requirements before choosing a plan.