Serwer

If you run an online business or are planning to start one, the topic of servers may seem complicated.
In reality, it is not – you just need to understand the basics in order to make informed decisions about your website or online shop.

A server is a computer that stores your website and makes it available to anyone who wishes to visit it.
It's like a rented exhibition hall for your business – without it, no one will see your products or services online!

What exactly is a server?

Simply put, a server is a computer that operates 24 hours a day and makes your website available to anyone who wants to visit it.

Imagine that your website is a book and the server is a library. When someone types your website address into their browser, they send a request to the “librarian” (server): ‘I want to read this specific book.’ The server finds the relevant files and sends them back, allowing the visitor to view your website.

This whole process usually takes a fraction of a second, but a lot happens during that time:

1. DNS translates the name – the system converts "mycompany.pl" into a specific numerical address.
2. A connection is being established – the browser "calls" the server.
3. A request is sent - "Show me the home page"
4. The server prepares the response - it collects all the necessary files.
5. Data goes to the browser - HTML, images, styles.
6. The page is displayed – the user sees the finished result.

Types of servers – which one is best for your business?

Shared hosting – like living in a dormitory

This is the cheapest option, where you share server resources with other websites. Approximate market prices: PLN 200-800 per year.

When it will prove itself:

• A small business with a simple business card website
• A personal or company blog
• A portfolio
• A website visited by up to thousands of people per month

Advantages:

• Very affordable price
• No need to worry about technical support
• Quick setup – often in just a few minutes
• Technical support included in the price

Disadvantages:

• Performance depends on other sites on the same server
• Limited configuration options
• May not withstand sudden spikes in traffic

VPS – like owning your own flat

A Virtual Private Server is a compromise between price and control. Approximate market prices: PLN 200-1500 per month.

When to consider:

• A growing online shop
• A website with tens of thousands of visits per month
• You need special software
• You want more control over your server

Advantages:

• Guaranteed resources just for you
• Customisable configuration
• Scalability – you can increase power as needed
• Better performance than shared hosting

Disadvantages:

• You need basic technical knowledge (or someone who has it)
• Greater responsibility for security
• Higher costs

Dedicated server – like your own home

The entire server belongs solely to you. Approximate market prices: PLN 800-5,000 per month.

When is it necessary:

• A large company with heavy website traffic
• An online shop with thousands of products
• Applications requiring maximum performance
• Projects where security is critical

Advantages:

• Maximum performance and control
• Highest level of security
• Full customisation options
• Dedicated technical support

Disadvantages:

• High costs
• Requires advanced technical knowledge
• Full responsibility for maintenance

Cloud – you pay for what you use

A modern solution where resources scale automatically according to demand.

When it makes sense:

• Unpredictable website traffic
• You require global availability
• Seasonality of your business (e.g. increased traffic before holidays)
• You wish to pay only for actual usage

Advantages:

• Automatic scaling
• Pay-as-you-go pricing
• High availability
• Global server network

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to predict costs
• Requires experience in configuration
• May be more expensive with constant, high traffic

How to assess what kind of server you need?

Website traffic analysis

Up to 5,000 visits per month: Shared hosting is perfectly adequate.

5,000–50,000 visits: Time to consider a VPS, especially if the site sometimes runs slowly.

Over 50,000 visits: You need a dedicated server or cloud solutions.

The type of website matters

Business card website: Basic shared hosting Blog or portfolio: Shared hosting or cheap VPS Online shop: VPS (small shop) or dedicated server (large shop) Web application: VPS or cloud, depending on complexity

Budget and planning

Up to PLN 2,000 per year: Shared hosting PLN 2,000-15,000 per year: VPS Over PLN 15,000 per year: Dedicated server or advanced cloud solutions

Server location – why does it matter?

The location of the server affects the loading speed of your website. The further away the server is from users, the longer they have to wait for it to load.

For Polish companies, we recommend:

• Servers in Poland – fastest access, easier technical support
• Servers in Germany/the Netherlands – a good compromise between price and quality
• Servers in the USA – only for companies operating globally

The difference can be significant – a website hosted in Poland will load in 300 ms, while the same website from a server in the US may take 1,500 ms. That may not sound like much, but Google and your customers will notice it.

Server security – what to look out for?

Basic security measures (absolute minimum)

SSL certificate - encrypts communication between the website and users. Without it, the browser will mark your website as unsafe.

Regular updates - old software versions are an open door for hackers.

Backups – make them daily and check that they can be restored. They are your insurance policy.

Firewall – the first line of defence against attacks from the internet.

Common mistakes to avoid

Weak passwords such as "admin123" are an invitation to hackers. Use strong, unique passwords.

Ignoring updates – this applies particularly to WordPress and plugins.

No backups – "nothing will happen" are the famous last words.

Performance – how to determine whether a server can handle the load?

Key indicators

Page loading time

• Less than 2 seconds – excellent
• 2–3 seconds – good
• More than 5 seconds – people are leaving your page

Availability (uptime)

• 99.9% is the minimum (maximum 8 hours of downtime per year)
• 99.95% is a good standard
• 99.99% is premium level

Technical parameters that matter

Processor – 2–4 cores are sufficient for an average website

RAM – minimum 1 GB for a simple website, 4–8 GB for online shops

Drive – SSD is a must instead of a traditional hard drive

Data transfer – nowadays it is usually unlimited, but be sure to check

The most common problems and how to avoid them

Slow loading page

Reasons:

• Server too weak for the number of visitors
• Large, uncompressed photos
• Too many plugins and add-ons
• Poorly written website code

Solutions:

• Server upgrade
• Image compression
• Code optimisation
• Removal of unnecessary plugins

Frequent breakdowns

Reasons:

• Low-quality hosting provider
• Outdated software
• Overloaded server resources

How to avoid this:

• Choosing a reputable supplier
• Regular updates
• Monitoring resource consumption

Security issues

Symptoms:

• Strange files appear on the server
• The page redirects to other websites
• The browser warns against your website

Immediate actions:

• Change all passwords
• Restore from backup
• Strengthen security

How to choose a hosting provider?

What to look out for

Reputation and experience

• How long has the company been operating on the market?
• What are other users' opinions?
• Does it offer technical support in your country ?

Technical specifications

• Guaranteed uptime (minimum 99.9%)
• Equipment quality (processors, SSD)
• Data centre location
• Network bandwidth

Technical support

• 24/7 availability
• Response time to requests
• Contact channels (telephone, email, chat)
• Language of service

Terms and conditions

• Flexibility (monthly or yearly billing)
• Cancellation policy
• What's included in the price
• Hidden fees

Website migration – how to move to a new server?

Preparation

1. Make a full backup - all files, database, email configuration
2. Prepare a new server – configure the environment, install the necessary software
3. Plan your migration time – preferably on a weekend or during off-peak hours

The migration process

1. Copy files via FTP or the management panel
2. Transfer database - export from old server, import to new server
3. Configure domains – change DNS settings, set up redirects
4. Test everything – check that the website works, the forms work, and the email functions

After migration

• Monitor the site during the first few days
• Check error logs
• Ensure that backups are working on the new server
• Inform the team about the changes

Server monitoring and maintenance

What is worth observing regularly

Every day:

• Is the site responding?
• Backup status
• Basic error logs

Weekly:

• Security updates
• Disk space
• Website performance

Monthly:

• Full system updates
• Backup restore test
• Traffic and performance analysis
• Security review

Useful tools

Free:

• Google Search Console - monitors search engine performance
• Google Analytics - analyses website traffic
• UptimeRobot - checks website availability

Paid:

• New Relic – advanced performance monitoring
• Pingdom – comprehensive speed and availability testing

Trends and the future of servers

What is changing in the industry

The cloud is becoming the norm – more and more companies are moving to cloud solutions because of their flexibility and scalability.

Automation – artificial intelligence assists in automatically optimising performance and detecting problems.

Edge computing - computations are moved closer to users, which means even faster page loading.

Safety as a priority – in the face of growing threats, cybersecurity is becoming crucial.

How to prepare

• Regularly review your technical requirements
• Plan upgrades in advance
• Build a budget for infrastructure development
• Invest in automating routine tasks

Summary – how to make the right decision?

Choosing a server is a decision that will affect how your business operates for years to come. There is no one-size-fits-all solution – every company has different needs, budgets, and growth plans.

Key questions to ask yourself:

1. How many people visit my website each month?
2. What is my annual hosting budget?
3. Do I have someone on my team with technical knowledge?
4. How critical is the availability of my website for my business?
5. Am I planning for growth and increased traffic?

Our recommendations:

• Business card website or blog? Shared hosting is usually sufficient.
• Online shop or business application? Minimum VPS – website speed directly affects conversions and user satisfaction.
• An application with a database or complex logic? VPS or dedicated server – applications require stable resources to function properly.
• Are you planning marketing or viral campaigns? Do not skimp on the server – prepare your infrastructure for the influx of users in advance.
• Mission-critical application for your business? Dedicated server or enterprise cloud – when downtime means financial losses.
• Seasonality or unpredictable traffic? The cloud scales perfectly – resources automatically adjust to your needs.
• Do you have an application that requires special configurations? VPS or a dedicated server give you full control over the environment.

The golden rule: It is better to start with more power than to risk the server failing at a crucial moment. Upgrading is easier than explaining to customers why the application is not working.

Article last updated: May 2025