Businesses tempted by inexpensive VPS hosting packages may end up paying significantly more if they fail to account for the security and management responsibilities that accompany greater server control, an industry expert has cautioned.

As organisations grow, many move towards VPS hosting because it offers a balance between affordability and performance. Although it provides more resources and flexibility than shared hosting, customers are often responsible for maintaining software, backups and security protections.

Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus Business Solutions, said: “A VPS is often the ideal step for businesses that need more than shared hosting can offer but are not ready for a dedicated server.

“It provides greater flexibility and performance at a lower cost. What many businesses overlook is that increased control also means increased responsibility.”

VPS technology creates separate virtual environments within a single physical server, allowing businesses to benefit from dedicated resources and stronger separation from neighbouring users.

Despite these advantages, Mr Shelton said many companies underestimate the importance of ongoing server management.

“Cyber threats do not take a break,” he said. “Failure to keep systems updated, secure firewalls properly or maintain reliable backups can leave businesses facing significant recovery costs.”

When reviewing hosting options, businesses should compare the strengths and weaknesses of VPS, shared hosting and dedicated servers.

Shared hosting is usually the least expensive route but can be affected by resource demands from other websites. Dedicated servers offer superior performance and control but require a much larger financial commitment.

A VPS provides a middle ground, delivering greater flexibility without the expense of dedicated infrastructure.

Mr Shelton added: “The isolated nature of a VPS is one of its biggest strengths. Issues affecting other users on the same hardware are much less likely to disrupt your operations.

“Even so, businesses need to understand where responsibility lies and ensure they are working with a trusted hosting provider.”

He recommends assessing the following areas:

Provider credentials – Certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 and Cyber Essentials demonstrate a commitment to security. Businesses should also review DDoS protection measures and provider reputation.

Data centre security – Quality facilities incorporate physical safeguards such as controlled access systems, surveillance, on-site teams, backup power and fire protection.

Security and recovery services – Managed VPS offerings can include updates, monitoring and backup management, reducing risk and administrative workload.

Mr Shelton said: “Choosing solely on price can be a false economy. A managed service often delivers better long-term value by reducing downtime and security concerns.”

For more information, visit connectus.org.uk.

Data from over 5,000 UK families reveals a structural move away from rigid, traditional formats toward photographic layouts, celebration of life themes, and digital flipbook integration.

LEICESTER, UK. June 19th, 2026 – Funeral Printing by Esmee G, operator of orderofserviceforfuneral.co.uk, has launched Priority++ Guaranteed Delivery, a new rapid-response fulfilment service designed to ensure funeral stationery arrives ahead of scheduled services, as new research reveals UK families are facing increasingly compressed funeral preparation timelines.

The announcement accompanies the company’s newly published UK Funeral Trends Report, an analysis of more than 5,000 funeral services spanning 25 years, which identifies a major shift in both memorial design expectations and production logistics across the UK funeral sector.

According to the report, families now expect highly personalised memorial stationery delivered within increasingly narrow timeframes, creating new operational challenges for funeral providers and print specialists alike.

The report also highlighted several recurring issues that can delay funeral stationery production, including last-minute text amendments, low-resolution photographs sourced from social media, missing acknowledgements or thank-you messages and delayed approval processes among family members.

The company says these findings directly informed the development of Priority++ Guaranteed Delivery and its enhanced pre-production checking procedures.

“Twenty-five years ago, most funeral order of service booklets followed a fairly rigid, standardized structure. Today, families view the stationery as an enduring reflection of a unique life,” said Esmee G, Founder of Funeral Printing by Esmee G.

“We frequently produce booklets featuring extensive photo galleries, personal poetry, bespoke design themes and even QR codes linking directly to video tributes. At the same time, preparation windows have become significantly shorter. Priority++ was developed to provide families with greater certainty during what is often an extremely time-sensitive period.”

The new service combines an enhanced print-readiness review process with same-day logistics contingency measures designed to minimise delays caused by artwork amendments, courier disruptions or last-minute production changes.

Since launching its nationwide order of service for funeral printing service in 2001, Funeral Printing by Esmee G has witnessed a substantial transformation in customer expectations. 

To support this shift, the business has developed dedicated design infrastructure and a digital library of more than 1,000 funeral order of service templates covering religious, contemporary, cremation, celebration-of-life services and more.

The full UK Funeral Trends Report examines how personalisation, digital integration and accelerated logistics are reshaping memorial stationery across the United Kingdom and influencing the future of funeral service planning.