Hi, My hosting is currently with Dreamhost and has been for the past 3 years without any issue what so ever! However as my sites have grown, and I have built new sites im now regulary hitting their 150MB shared RAM limit and they are killing my sites processess which in turns kick out internal server errors left right and centre. There live support has suggested I pay for a virtual private server with them as detailed here http://www.dreamhost.com/hosting-vps.html but this seems pricey to me? shared cpu, but 500MB dedicated RAM costs $49.60 per month! Dreamhost are unable to tell me how much RAM I actually need, becuase they kill it as soon as it hits 150MB, so I dont know if i need 200MB or 800MB to be honest. So, do I need a dedicated server? My affiliate sites will continue to grow, and I will continue to build new sites. Also if I do get a dedi, how easy is it to move sites from my existing hosting? Is it just a case of download the websites, uploading to new host, setup mysql database, then change the name servers on the domains when I want to go live with the dedi? How easy is it move realisticly? All of your thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreicated Thanks
I would suggest a VPS prior to getting a full dedicated server. If you don't like the idea of a VPS, then a low end dedicated server would be the next logical choice. Does DreamHost use a control panel? If they use do, in most cases, its fairly simple to move your account over to another server with the same control panel.
Try going with knownhost VPS more RAM than Dreamhost for 39$ a month...Also they have Hybrid servers you can upgrade too..also you can optimize the server yourself.
I would personally suggest getting a VPS from another provider. You will need to learn a new control panel, but there are many excellent managed VPS providers around. Check the DP web hosting forums or webhostingtalk.
You need a VPS. That will do fine. It's fairly easy to move the websites. Much easier if your current host and new host have same hosting panels. If you need help regarding this do PM me.
start with a vps, then move on over to dedi when you get there. Also, like Guttu said above, helps a lot when both are the same control panel. cPanel to cPanel etc etc