Magento hosting is not like any other hosting solution. Running an ecommerce store has its own individual needs in regards to hosting, and using the Magento ecommerce software platform is another speciality with yet further individual requirements.
Magento web hosting is best achieved through an individually tailored server management solution, rather than an off-the-shelf and generic hosting package which is likely to cost time and money in the long term.
Tailor made is the best fit
A fully managed and optimised Magento hosting solution is the best way to adapt servers specifically to the Magento software version your website is running. Tailoring the server to work in accordance with the specific software can increase the speed of the database, cache, the page loading time (very good for Google and SEO) and the overall performance of the website.
Magento uses a server in its own unique way (like any software) and so by giving it more of what it needs, and less of what it doesn’t, you’re keeping everything and everyone happy – including your customers who are more likely to return to a well functioning website.
Keeping up-to-date
A fully managed solution means you don’t have to worry about the updating of either your server or Magento software. Constant monitoring of both Magento and the server should take place, checking for updates/security fixes. Keeping the Magento version your website uses up-to-date reduces the risk of your system becoming vulnerable to attack and irons-out any bugs that may be jeopardising the performance. However, the latest version of Magento won’t always be appropriate for your website; it depends on the functionality being used and whether the latest version supports that functionality in the same way. It should be up to your Magento hosting provider to best determine this.
Managing traffic
Your Magento servers should be able to deal with diverse traffic loads based specifically on your website’s requirements. Magento websites, like most ecommerce websites, experience a range of peaks and troughs based on the buying habits of customers. What’s important is that your Magento website can cope with the high volume of traffic as it presents itself; it would be a shame not to be able to capitalise on all those customers wanting to buy.
VPS (Virtual Private Servers) can be set-up to dynamically adapt to the traffic load your website is experiencing, running at maximum capacity when necessary, and reserving resources when it’s not. VPS servers are also designed to be robust and easily transferable; they are not reliant on the hardware being used and can be transferred or easily upgraded should faults occur.
Your servers should grow with your business
As your business grows so will the demand placed upon your server. When upgrading your Magento server it’s important not to run before you can walk. Gradual, incremental updates, slowly geared towards providing the service your website and customers need is the best way to achieving this. The less downtime you have when making alterations the less disruption you’ll experience in terms of revenue. Your Magento hosting solution should grow with your business, without costing you business.
