Why Would You Need VPS [for a Non-Coder]: My Journey from Shared Hosting to DigitalOcean

• April 24, 2025
• Jesandy
• no comments

I used to think shared hosting was enough for everything I needed. Back then, I was working with Drupal and WordPress. They were easy, powerful, and came with lots of #readytouse features. For a long time, that was more than enough. I didn’t mind using the default themes and settings, and I didn’t really want to mess around with the technical side of things.

But every time I wanted to add something more, for example like a new function or feature, I had to look for a plugin or module. And honestly, I didn’t 100% enjoy that process. Sure, those add-ons can make something work, but they also made the site heavier and feel slower. And most of the time, some plugins didn’t play well with others or worse were outdated. And some just made the whole setup feel messy. feel stuck, like I was building things inside a box that I couldn’t escape from.

Although I know what VPS hosting really was, but I knew was that it sounded too advanced for someone like me, fyi I never studied anything about science computer or took a programming course. I only had some experience with CSS and HTML, stuff I learned while fixing up my own sites or helping clients, but that just basics. 

But then something changed..

I started using ChatGPT AI and sometimes Copilot, the GitHub, and suddenly, everything felt different.

You may like it: “ChatGPT new feature: Reasons“

I could ask questions like “how to create user profile page” or “why the page is showing 404?” and get answers right away. I didn’t need to spend hours digging through confusing forum threads anymore, or may I say I’m community “forum trauma”. In fact I just copy the code, test it, and actually understand what I was doing. Of course there are some parts not working very smooth, but all the things still doable. And more importantly, AI gave me courage. It gave me quick simple solution when I was stuck. it made me believe that I didn’t have to be that good to try something new, if you know what I meant..

That’s when I took the leap to VPS hosting

I chose DigitalOcean (I will tell on another post why I choose Digital Ocean at the first place). I didn’t know what a “droplet” was at the time, but surprise who give me the knowledge to pick and buy?? yesss ChatGPT..!! It just simple answer, I just clicked the button, picked the cheapest plan, and I had VPS.

That was six months ago…

Since then, I’ve learned how to connect to a server using SSH, edit server configs, set up basic security things, and even deploy a lightweight site without relying on any plugins at all. And honestly, I’m having so much fun. It feels like I finally have control over what I’m building. no more limits, just a clean, fast server and however I want.

If you’re curious, this is the platform I’m using: DigitalOcean. That’s my referral link, so if you ever want to try it out, you’ll get free credits to explore it yourself.

Now I know what you might be wondering: is VPS really for me?

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way. If you’re only hosting a simple blog, portfolio, or business site that doesn’t need much maintenance or custom setup, then shared hosting is probably fine. But if you start feeling limited, if you want more freedom, more speed, or if you want to try building something beyond just “the basic”, then VPS hosting + AI is your thing. 

I try to compile based on my experiences, the difference in a simple comparison:

When Would You Should Consider Using a VPS:

• When you want full control over your server, I mean including root access and the freedom to configure everything your way.
• When you hate your shared hosting website so heavy slow, the VPS? OMG you see it yourself how fast in term of everything.. 
• When you’re tired of the limitations and want the ability to custom or build bigger than you ever think off.
• When you’re building something more advanced than just a blog, like a MVP platform, web app or any development project.

When You Should Not Using a VPS:

• When you dont have time and interest..
• Yeah that’s it..

Why??

First: AI, ChatGPT or another tools help you a lot, regarding your production time consuming and efforts. Second is the cost, the current price: I’m not talking about the lowest tier shared hosting that have super discount, but a medium shared hosting have the same price as VPS hosting. Plus they have big discount on your registration or you can use any other promo codes to make your VPS host running. Example My digitalocean, my three first month cost was maximum $4 per month while most medium shared hosting is double that price. You may check: the Digital Ocean free $200 promo. 

To be clear, I’m not saying VPS is better for everyone. But I do believe that if you’ve ever thought, “I want to do more, but I don’t know where to start” you might be closer to ready than you think.

What I took as a lesson, no need to become a developer overnight, It just need curiosity, the willing to learn, and brave enough to test things out. That’s what I did, and it’s been one of the most exciting upgrades I’ve made, not just for my websites, but for my own development too.

So if you’ve ever felt stuck like I did, maybe it’s time to peek outside the box.

You might be surprised by what you can build.