What Is Shared Hosting: Definition, How It Works, Pros & Cons, Who Should Use

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting wherein multiple websites share the same server. It works by dividing up resources (CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth) amongst site owners. Its affordability makes it a popular entry point for beginners or anyone with basic hosting needs.

The 5 advantages of shared hosting are affordability, accessibility, beginner-friendliness, maintenance-free management, and scalability. The 4 disadvantages are inconsistent performance, limited resources, restricted control, and higher security risks. Low-traffic websites and static websites should use shared hosting because it is able to meet their simple requirements without charging much. High-traffic websites, resource-intensive sites, and websites needing high customization should not use shared hosting. 4 alternative hosting types to shared hosting include VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting, cloud hosting, and reseller hosting.

Frequently asked questions about shared hosting include what types of storage and what control panel brands are included. SSD and NVMe are both available. cPanel, proprietary and Plesk are the 3 most common options. Cheap shared hosting is viable for basic hosting needs.

What is the definition of shared hosting?

Shared hosting is defined as a type of web hosting wherein a single server is shared amongst multiple websites. This setup allocates server resources and divides the server cost between the total number of users. It is the simplest and most popular form of hosting because it provides pre-configured environments and managed servers, thus eliminating the need for technical expertise on the part of the web host customer.

Shared hosting is typically offered by a web hosting provider that manages the server hardware, performs routine maintenance, and ensures software updates.

How does shared hosting work?

Shared hosting works by allocating server resources among multiple websites on the same physical server. Each user gets a predefined share of resources like CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth. They also share a single IP address. The server’s operating system and control panel ensure resource distribution and ease of use but it relies on websites using their position of the server’s total capacity fairly. It’s therefore possible for one site to consume excessive resources and affect the performance of other websites on the same server.

What are the advantages of shared hosting?

The 5 advantages of shared hosting are affordability, accessibility, beginner-friendliness, maintenance-free management, and scalability. Shared hosting is affordable because resource sharing lowers operational costs, allowing providers to offer cheaper plans. It’s accessible because it is widely available from major hosting providers. Shared hosting is beginner-friendly because it includes pre-configured environments and simple control panels. It offers maintenance-free management because the host handles server updates and security. Finally, it’s scalable because users easily upgrade to higher-tier plans as their traffic increases.

What are the disadvantages of shared hosting?

The 4 disadvantages of shared hosting are inconsistent performance, limited server control, shared IP addresses, and increased security risks. Shared hosting has inconsistent performance because one website’s resource usage affects others on the same server. It has limited server control because users do not get root access. All websites on the server use the same IP which causes email deliverability issues if one site gets blacklisted. Finally, shared hosting has increased security risks because interconnected accounts on the same server are more vulnerable to breaches.

Who should use shared hosting?

Low-traffic websites and static websites should use shared hosting. Low-traffic websites, like small personal blogs or business pages, should use shared hosting since it’s budget-friendly whilst meeting their basic resource needs. Static websites refer to sites without dynamic features like databases or real-time updates. These sites should use shared hosting because it provides sufficient resources for their simple functionality.

Who should not use shared hosting?

High-traffic websites, resource-intensive projects, and websites needing advanced customization should not use shared hosting. High-traffic websites refer to platforms with large visitor volumes, such as eCommerce sites or popular blogs. These sites should not use shared hosting because limited resources cause performance issues. Resource-intensive projects should not use shared hosting because it’s unable to handle demanding workloads. Websites needing advanced customization should not use shared hosting because shared hosting doesn’t provide root access.

How do I choose a shared hosting plan?

Choose a shared hosting plan by evaluating 3 things: storage, control panel, and renewal fees. Firstly, check that the shared hosting plan includes fast SSD (Solid State Drive) storage and that it has sufficient capacity for your needs. Secondly, check the plan provides a user-friendly control panel like cPanel. Finally, check the renewal fees of the shared hosting plan. Renewal fees refer to the price that you need to pay after the initial contract term has elapsed. 3 popular shared hosting providers to choose from include Hostinger, TMDHosting and GreenGeeks.

What are the alternatives to shared hosting?

Alternatives to shared hosting refer to different types of hosting that address specific limitations of shared hosting, such as resource constraints, lack of control, and shared security vulnerabilities. 4 popular shared hosting alternatives are VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting, cloud hosting, and reseller hosting.

VPS hosting

VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is an alternate type of hosting that provides dedicated resources like CPU, RAM, and storage in a virtualized environment. It’s common to upgrade from shared to VPS hosting once a site requires more powerful hosting or more control. Compare them directly in our article on shared hosting vs VPS.

Dedicated server hosting

Dedicated server hosting is an alternate type of hosting that provides exclusive access to an entire server. Unlike shared hosting, it eliminates resource-sharing issues and offers maximum performance, control, and security. Compare them directly in our article on shared hosting vs dedicated hosting.

Cloud hosting

Cloud hosting is an alternate type of hosting that offers scalability and reliability by using a network of servers to distribute resources dynamically. Unlike shared hosting, it prevents performance bottlenecks and minimizes downtime risks. Compare them directly in our article on cloud hosting vs shared hosting.

Reseller hosting

Reseller hosting is an alternate type of hosting that allows individuals or businesses to resell hosting services to their clients. Instead of using the hosting solely for their own websites, reseller hosting users manage multiple client accounts under a single plan. Compare them directly in our article on shared hosting vs reseller hosting.

What Are The Frequently Asked Questions About Shared Hosting?

Frequently asked questions about shared hosting refer to the common inquiries and their corresponding answers related to shared hosting. 4 FAQs about shared hosting are listed below.

1. Is SSD Or Nvme Available In Shared Hosting Plans?
2. What Control Panels Are Commonly Used In Shared Hosting?
3. Can Cheap Shared Hosting Be Viable?
4. Is there such a thing as unmanaged shared hosting?

Knowing the answers enables you to choose the best shared hosting with the right mix of performance, control, and value.

Is SSD Or NVMe Available In Shared Hosting Plans?

Both SSD and NVMe are available in certain shared hosting plans, but SSD is more commonly offered. SSD (Solid State Drives) is a type of fast storage drive that utilizes flash memory instead of spinning platters like a traditional hard drive (HDD). NVMe is a type of SSD that uses the PCIe interface for even faster data transfer and lower latency than standard SSDs. Certain shared hosts offer NVMe as part of higher-tier plans aimed at performance-focused users.

What Control Panels Are Commonly Used In Shared Hosting?

3 control panels commonly used in shared hosting are cPanel, proprietary panels, Plesk.

cPanel is a Linux-based control panel developed by cPanel, L.L.C. for managing websites, domains, and emails. Proprietary panels are custom-built by hosting providers and tailored to their specific service features. Plesk is a commercial control panel that supports both Linux and Windows hosting environments.

Can Cheap Shared Hosting Be Viable?

Yes, cheap shared hosting can be viable if you are looking to host a basic website like a personal blog, portfolio site or small business site. Cheap shared hosting is defined as shared hosting plans that cost less than $5 per month. The key is to choose shared hosting from reputable cheap web hosts that are proven to be reliable. 

Is there such a thing as unmanaged shared hosting?

No, there is no such thing as unmanaged shared hosting because shared hosting is inherently managed by the web hosting provider. Shared hosting relies on provider-controlled resources and pre-configured settings. The host therefore automatically assumes responsibility for server administration, security, and maintenance. Shared hosting therefore provides convenience but limits server access.