Shared hosting: Is it worthwhile? What are the benefits of shared hosting?

There are many options available to an individual looking to set up a blog site. One of the most popular is to go with a shared hosting plan. Shared hosting, in essence, allows you to create your blog site on a server that other people may be used as well. It is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this, but it also has some drawbacks. Find out in this article what they are and whether shared hosting is a good option for you!

The main goal of this blog is to explain what shared hosting is and the benefits and drawbacks that can help you to decide whether it is a good option for your digital needs or not. 

What is shared hosting?

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting that allows multiple websites to share the same server and bandwidth. Shared hosting is one of the most popular types of web hosting because it offers a cost-effective solution for those who are just starting their website. This type of hosting is often used by small businesses and individuals who want to save money and create an online presence.

This type of web hosting is also called shared web hosting or shared Linux hosting. The term can also refer to other types of services such as shared e-mail, shared databases, and so on. It is a cost-effective way for people to host their websites. With shared hosting, each account is given a certain amount of server resources, such as disk space, bandwidth, and processing power. All websites on the same server share these resources, which helps to keep the cost of hosting down. It is also often a good choice for those looking to get their feet wet in the world of web hosting. You can sign up for shared hosting with just a few clicks of the mouse, and many providers offer one-click installations of popular content management systems such as WordPress or Joomla!

How to choose a shared web host

There are many things to consider while choosing the best shared hosting options for your web sites which are as follows:

1. Determine your hosting needs 

Before you can start shopping around for a shared web host, it’s important to have a clear idea of your hosting needs. Consider the resources you will need for your websites, such as storage space, bandwidth, and operating system. 

2. Research potential web hosts

Once you know the features you require in a shared host, you can start researching potential hosts. Look for feedback from customers, read customer reviews, and compare prices and features between different hosting companies. 

3. Choose a reliable web host

When selecting a shared web host, it’s important to make sure the company is reliable. Look for uptime guarantees, customer service, and a good reputation. 

4. Consider customer service

A good web host will offer reliable customer support. Look for a host that offers a range of customer support options, such as phone, email, and chat. 

5. Read the terms of service

Before signing up for a shared web host, make sure you read and understand the terms of the service. Make sure you understand your rights and obligations as a customer. 

6. Consider scalability options

If you expect your website to grow over time, look for a hosting package with scalability options. Make sure the host can easily upgrade your package as your website grows.

What advantages and disadvantages come with shared hosting?

To decide the worth of shared hosting for your website, you need to know about the benefits and drawbacks described below. 

Advantages of shared hosting

Cost-saving 

The least expensive method for hosting a website is shared hosting. It is the most affordable option for those who don’t have a large budget to spend on hosting.  Perhaps the most obvious is that it is much cheaper than other types of hosting, such as VPS or dedicated hosting. 

Easy to set up

Another benefit of shared hosting is that it is very easy to set up and use. You do not need any special technical knowledge or skills to get started. Shared hosting is also very scalable, so you can easily upgrade your service as your needs change.

 Beginner-friendly

Shared hosting is a great option for beginners who want to start a website or blog without having to learn a lot of technical skills. You can install WordPress or other content management systems with a one-click installation using Cpanel.  It allows you to test the waters and see if you like the platform before investing in a more expensive option.   

Scalability

Shared hosting plans are highly scalable, allowing you to upgrade or downgrade your plan depending on the needs of your website. This means you can start with a basic plan and then upgrade to a larger plan when your website grabs more traffic and you have the resources to do so.  

Reliability

Shared hosting is also very reliable, since many websites are hosted on the same server, so if one website crashes then it will not affect other sites on the same server.

Disadvantages

Prone to downtimes during high-traffic periods

The main disadvantage of shared hosting is that the resources are shared between all the users. This can lead to slow website speeds and downtime during high-traffic periods.

Increased risk of security breaches

Another disadvantage of shared hosting is that if another user on the server experiences a security breach, your website may also be affected.

Limited resources and control

With shared hosting, you are limited to the number of resources allocated to your account. If your website starts receiving a large amount of traffic, you may not have enough server resources to accommodate the growth. You also have limited control over the server. You cannot install custom software or modify server settings.

Security Risk

Shared hosting environments are more vulnerable to security threats since several websites are sharing the same server. If another website on the server is hacked, your website may also be compromised.

When Should You Avoid Shared Hosting?

There are some instances where you should avoid shared hosting. The most important thing to remember is that shared hosting is not for everyone. If you want to work with a lot of resources and have a large number of users, then a VPS or dedicated server may be better suited.

If you have a small website, then shared hosting will work fine for you. The reason why shared hosting is not recommended for large websites is that it limits your resources and reduces the performance of your site, which can affect large-scale traffic to your website.

Shared hosting can be good for small websites because it reduces the costs and time required to manage the server. It also provides easy access to all its features without having to worry about any technical issues that may arise during the installation or maintenance of the site.

A suggestion for picking the best-shared hosting

Before choosing the best-shared hosting provider for your websites, you should know what features are available on different shared hosting plans and compare them with all your required features. So that you can get the appropriate host for your website with convenient and affordable functions, plans, and needs. To glance at the comparative data of hosts, you can go for the below comparison tool.

Host Suggest

Host Suggest is the premier hosting guide that provides comparative data on all comprehensive hosting services that offer the perfect solution for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to established enterprises. It provides overall information on all kinds of hosting providers. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, shared hosting can be a great option for those who are looking to save money on their hosting plans. Shared web hosting plans offer many of the same features as more expensive plans, but at a fraction of the cost. While there may be some downsides to shared hostings, such as slower speeds and less control over your website, the pros far outweigh the cons for most users. If you're looking for an affordable way to get started with your website, shared hosting is worth considering.

Author

Mayuri Khairnar

Content Writter

Mayuri Khairnar is working as a Junior content writer at an IT-based company. She writes SEO blogs and articles content for web hosting services and IT software to boost their Google search ranks. She has done her post-graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication. She's working on getting relevant expertise in the writing industry to advance her profession as a Content Writer.