Questions about web hosting

I developed a new website with ZenCart but now have a few questions about hosting it.

1. I have heard of VPN hosting. I think it means Virtual Private Network but my question is how important is this? I have a previous website with a host that uses VPN but honestly I am not happy with their service and am looking at two other hosting services now, Bluehost and Host Gator, but they don't offer VPN. My current host, Westhost, does.

2. PCI Compliance. I know PCI Compliance is important. I have checked with the two above hosts and have only received a response from one but their response is they are PCI Compliant but only Levels A and B and not levels C and D. Is this a problem for credit card transactions?

3. Dedicated IP-I have already purchased a SSL through RapidSSL so won't be using Shared SSL. To use my own SSL that I purchased do I need a dedicated IP? Both of the above offer it but for an extra cost.

I appreciate help with the above questions.

1. I have heard of VPN hosting.
   IMO you are better off when starting out with a "good" shared host.
   VPN's can have limitations - ones that can be mitigated with additonal resources/cost but normally this is a "server" and one that you have to manage - How is your linux savvy at command line?

2. PCI Compliance. I know PCI Compliance is important.
   This is a contested issue - and again IMO if you do not store ANY cc data and only pass it to a gateway processor your requirements are minimial.
3. To use my own SSL that I purchased do I need a dedicated IP?
   Yes, you must have a dedicated IP to use/install a private SSL