I run a WordPress-based informational site that attracts around 2,300 unique visitors daily. Currently, it's on standard shared hosting, but it's hitting an 85% load capacity, prompting the need for a quota boost yet again. My monthly expenditure is roughly $12.

Should I consider migrating to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or simply up the limits on my shared hosting plan? Additionally, at what level of unique visitors is it typically advisable to transition to a VPS?

I'd recommend considering a VPS for your WordPress-based site, especially given its growing traffic and load capacity issues. While upping the limits on your shared hosting plan might provide temporary relief, it's likely to become a recurring expense and may not address the underlying performance issues.

A VPS, on the other hand, offers a more scalable and customizable solution, allowing you to allocate resources more efficiently and optimize performance. With a VPS, you'll have more control over server settings, memory allocation, and CPU utilization, making it a more suitable option for a site with high traffic and demanding requirements.

In terms of the transition threshold, it's generally advisable to consider a VPS when your site reaches around 5,000-10,000 unique visitors daily, depending on the complexity of your site and the level of resource-intensive activities. However, since your site is already experiencing load capacity issues, it's likely a good idea to migrate to a VPS sooner rather than later to avoid potential downtime and performance degradation.

Some hosting specialists might argue that you're not yet at the point where a VPS is necessary, citing the relatively low monthly expenditure of $12. However, I'd counter that the cost of a VPS is likely to be comparable to or even lower than the ongoing costs of shared hosting, especially considering the potential for increased performance and scalability.

Others might suggest that you're simply not ready for the added complexity and management requirements of a VPS, citing the need for more advanced technical expertise. While it's true that VPS management does require more technical savvy, many hosting providers offer managed VPS options that can alleviate some of this burden.

Is there a caching plugin on the site, or do we need to 'pin up' a new one? If it's already installed, which one is it?

To be honest, 2-3k unique visitors per day is a 'drop in the bucket' for most hosting plans. You can 'host' it on a basic plan without breaking a sweat.

Paying $12 for hosting a site with 2-3k unique visitors is a 'non-starter' in my book. It's like 'paying for a Ferrari when a Vespa will do'.

Considering the sheer volume of one-of-a-kind visitors, a standard hosting plan will likely suffice. I'd recommend opting for a hosting package with a robust infrastructure, such as a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or a cloud hosting solution, which can handle the influx of traffic. In this case, a mid-tier plan with a decent CPU and RAM allocation would be a good starting point.

For instance, a hosting provider like DigitalOcean offers a range of plans starting at $5/month, which can support around 5,000 to 7,000 unique visitors per day. If your site experiences sudden spikes in traffic, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher-tier plan or investing in a content delivery network (CDN) to ensure optimal performance and scalability.