What is Shared Web Hosting?

This article focuses on all the details you need to have a clear idea of modern shared web hosting. Please keep reading to find out what shared web hosting is, its benefits and its faults.

Shared Hosting is dedicated hosting split into accounts

Shared Web Hosting (sometimes referred to as virtual hosting) is a type of web site hosting in which web server's resources are shared across hundreds of domains. CPU, RAM and Disk space are all split into accounts with software such as cPanel, Plesk & Direct Admin managing the accounts and server software.

When users enter the domain name in their browser, they are directed to the shared web server. The web server has configuration files that split each account up and serve the correct website, with all services run from one dedicated server.

Shared hosting is cheaper

Shared web hosting with multi-tenants gives operators a much lower cost advantage, which provides clients with a lower cost of entry into web hosting. If you want to set up a website that you expect to receive minimal to moderate traffic, a shared hosting plan can help you cut costs. 

Disadvantages of shared web hosting

1. Hardware Failures - Hardware such as the CPU, RAM, Disks, motherboard, the power supply can die suddenly, and cause 6+ hours in some cases to fix.
2. Bad Tenants - Other websites with bad ratings can affect the reputation of the server, and any websites hosted on it will be affected.
3. Loading Times - As your website grows, you will find that your website loading times will increase, and sometimes error for visitors. Often, shared web hosting has low limits on CPU & Memory usage, and if you hit this limit, suddenly your site can take over 10+ seconds to load.
4. Traffic Spikes - If a website has a traffic spike, this can affect all websites on the server, causing slower, and even causing downtime.
5. No Control - Hardware and software are shared; you have no control over the web server, mail server, database server or operating system. Some smaller hosts won't update software quickly, and it can leave you with a slow loading website.

If you find yourself outgrowing a shared hosting plan, we suggest looking at cloud hosting, like our managed WordPress Hosting.