Shared hosting is a popular hosting solution for beginners. It is cost-effective and requires little to no technical expertise because the hosting provider will take care of the server configuration. In a shared hosting environment, one physical web server hosts multiple websites simultaneously. Each website will share the server resources, including its bandwidth and RAM. Since performance can be an issue, shared hosting may not be the perfect choice for high-traffic websites like eCommerce stores. Let’s get started. We get a commission when you buy a product via our affiliate link at no additional cost.
Things to Consider When Looking For Shared Hosting
Since there are many options, choosing an excellent shared hosting service can be challenging. Have a look at some factors to consider when choosing a shared hosting plan:
Server reliability. This includes the hosting service’s uptime and response time. The former is the total time the server fully functions, while the latter measures how fast the server processes a user’s request. Infrastructure. Check if the hosting environment is compatible with your website’s technology, including the content management system and PHP versions. Server space. The disk space is where all the website files, scripts, emails, and multimedia are stored. For faster performance, go for a hosting provider offering a solid state drive (SSD) disk space. RAM. Short for random access memory, this technology temporarily stores programs for faster retrieval. The more programs run in the background, the more RAM resources you need. You should calculate how much RAM it requires to ensure smooth performance for your website type. Bandwidth. Expressed in MB/s, it refers to the maximum amount of data the server can transfer over a specified period. The bigger the bandwidth, the better a site will perform in peak traffic times. Server locations. Choose a hosting provider whose shared servers are closest to your target audience to reduce latency. Security. Robust firewalls, regular malware scans, DDoS protection, and automated backups are among the crucial security measures a hosting provider should offer. Control panel. It refers to a web-based graphical user interface where site owners can manage and maintain their shared hosting package. Some popular examples include cPanel, Webmin, Plesk, and hPanel – a GUI control panel by Hostinger. Customer support. If you encounter a crash or error, a customer service agent can help resolve it. Hence, choosing a shared hosting provider offering 24/7 support is crucial. As for communication channels, live chat, phone calls, and email tickets are some of the most popular options. Technical support. Most shared hosting services are managed. This is perfect for a first-timer, as it helps accelerate the setup and configuration processes. On the other hand, unmanaged hosting includes premium solutions like VPS and dedicated hosting. They are perfect for an experienced user who wants more freedom in the website development process.
Pros and Cons of Shared Web Hosting
Shared hosting may not be the right fit for eCommerce websites. However, it’s a great option for personal sites like blogs, portfolio websites, and online resumes. Before purchasing a shared hosting plan, let’s review its pros and cons.
Pros
Here are the advantages of shared hosting:
Cons
Here are the disadvantages of shared hosting:
Best Shared Hosting Companies
If you’re still unsure which web host to choose, don’t worry. In this section, we’ll share five reputable web hosting companies to consider:
- Hostinger
Hostinger is one of the most popular hosting companies, Hostinger offers shared hosting plans. For $2.69/month (Special Pricing), Hostinger’s shared hosting plan is optimized for WordPress and packs unlimited bandwidth, an unlimited SSL certificate, 100 GB SSD storage, and a free domain name for a year. While Hostinger offers technical features like Git, SSH Access, and unlimited cron jobs, one disadvantage is that this plan only offers weekly backups. 2. Bluehost Bluehost ($2.95/mo) is one of three web hosts officially recommended by WordPress, and it’s on our list of best shared hosting companies. Bluehost provides a user-friendly panel for installing and configuring WordPress sites. This makes it particularly useful if you’re looking to setup a WordPress site. Bluehost’s one click intuitive dashboard and award-winning 24/7 support mean your site will be up and running in no time. You’ll also get a free domain name if you pay for your hosting account up front for one year or more. 3. HostArmada HostArmada ($2.49/mo) – For those seeking fast, affordable & highly secured SSD-based web hosting, HostArmada is a great choice. Their shared and WordPress hosting solutions are available at attractive prices, with exceptional hosting features such as free domain, SSL, free backups, free website transfer, and excellent customer support. 4. GreenGeeks GreenGeeks ($2.95/mo) – If you’re looking for a shared hosting provider with eco-friendly data centers and servers, try GreenGeeks. It provides a reliable and faster website experience with its optimized network. It’s shared hosting plans are tailored for both beginners and professionals. Shared hosting starts at $2.95/mo, with additional resources like RAM and CPU available on a pay-as-you-go basis. 5. InMotion Among InMotion hosting plans, Power is the best deal. With $2.29/month, users will get many premium features. They include unmetered bandwidth, unlimited NVMe SSD, 12x UltraStack Speed & Performance, advanced caching, and automatic backups. Its Hosting Plus feature allows users to build their sites using Python, Node.JS, and Ruby. All in all, this hosting company falls into the expensive category.
Conclusion
As one of the most cost-effective solutions, shared hosting is an excellent fit for first-timers who want to build personal websites. Here are some of the reasons to choose shared hosting for your websites:
Ease of use. Shared hosting requires little to no technical knowledge about server maintenance. Quick and easy setup. Many web hosts offer an intuitive control panel where site owners can initiate administrative tasks. Scalability. Most providers can grant an account upgrade during a traffic surge at the site owner’s request. Auto installer. The one-click installer for popular content management systems is a handy tool to save time.
On top of everything, consider the server reliability, support, and infrastructure before going with a hosting company. You should also calculate how many resources your site needs so that it can grow in the best possible environment. Good luck! Read: Managed Hosting vs Shared Hosting: Which is Better? This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about shared website hosting services.
