Introduction
Node.js has become one of the most popular choices for building scalable, high-performance web applications. Its non-blocking, event-driven architecture makes it ideal for applications that handle multiple simultaneous connections, like chat apps, real-time dashboards, or APIs.
When I picked up a freelancing project for a Dubai-based client, I needed a reliable environment to deploy their web app without worrying about downtime or slow loading. That’s when I decided to use a VPS, specifically a plan with 4 vCPU cores, 8 GB RAM, and 200 GB SSD storage — more than enough for a small to medium Node.js app. Plus, I had a 50% discount coupon on Webaon, which made the choice even easier and cost-effective.
Why Use Node.js for Your Project
High Performance: Handles concurrent requests efficiently.
JavaScript Everywhere: Same language on the frontend and backend.
Active Ecosystem: Tons of libraries, frameworks, and tutorials available.
Lightweight & Fast: Ideal for microservices or serverless-like deployments.
For small projects like mine, Node.js ensures that the app responds quickly even when multiple users are connected at once.
Why VPS is a Better Choice
While shared hosting is cheap and easy, it has limitations:
Limited CPU/RAM — may slow down with more users
No full control over server environment
Restrictions on installing custom software
A VPS solves these problems:
Full root access to configure the server as needed
Dedicated resources — your app doesn’t compete with others
Better security and ability to handle traffic spikes
For my freelancing client, this setup ensured fast response times, SSL support, and full control over deployment, without paying for an expensive dedicated server.
Picking a VPS:
Some popular VPS options:
DigitalOcean – Beginner-friendly, widely used
GoDaddy– Beginner-friendly, widely used
AWS Lightsail – Preconfigured VPS instances
Self-managed VPS – Complete control over server setup
Webaon – I personally used Webaon for this project because i had discount coupon of it. With a 50% discount coupon, it was cost-effective and offered a smooth VPS setup suitable for my Node.js deployment.
Example plan used: 4 vCPU | 8 GB RAM | 200 GB SSD | ₹2,999/month
Preparing the VPS
After provisioning the VPS, I set it up like this:
Update packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Install Node.js and npm
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
Install PM2 for process management
sudo npm install -g pm2
Tips:
Use SSH key authentication for security.
Configure UFW firewall to allow only necessary ports: 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS).
Deploying the Node.js App
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/username/my-app.git
cd my-app
npm install
Start the app with PM2:
pm2 start index.js --name my-app
pm2 save
pm2 startup
Configure Nginx as a reverse proxy:
server {
listen 80;
server_name myapp.com;
location / {
proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
}
}
Enable SSL using Certbot for HTTPS.
Performance and Monitoring
Monitor CPU and RAM usage to handle traffic spikes.
PM2 monitoring (pm2 monit) helps track running processes.
SSD storage ensures faster read/write operations, reducing response time.
Other helpful tools:
Docker – Containerize apps for easier deployment
Prometheus / UptimeRobot – Monitor server uptime
Nginx – Reverse proxy and load balancing
Freelancing Tip: How VPS Helped Me Win a Client
By using a VPS setup with Node.js, I could deliver a fully functional, high-performance web app for my Dubai-based client. The setup allowed me to:
Quickly deploy updates
Handle moderate traffic without downtime
Demonstrate professionalism and technical expertise
Using Webaon with the discount made it even easier to set up a professional environment without breaking the budget, helping me deliver a quality solution as a freelancer.
Conclusion
Using Node.js with a VPS is a powerful combination for small to medium projects. With full control over server resources, you can optimize performance, implement security best practices, and scale your app as needed.
Services like Webaon make provisioning and managing VPS instances simple and reliable. Pair that with PM2, Nginx, and monitoring tools, and you have a production-ready environment suitable for freelance projects or personal apps.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Node.js offers high performance, scalability, and a unified JavaScript environment.
VPS provides dedicated resources, security, and flexibility over shared hosting.
Using Webaon with a discount can make professional VPS deployment affordable.
Freelancers can leverage VPS setups to deliver professional results and impress clients.
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