| I get asked quite often why someone would | | | | should consider upgrading to either a VPS or |
| choose shared hosting over having their own VPS | | | | dedicated server solution. |
| (Virtual Private Server) or Dedicated Server, and | | | | What Are The Disadvantages of Shared Hosting? |
| I almost always respond the same way... | | | | Limited Resources |
| What do you think you need? And Why? And I | | | | As stated above, with shared hosting, multiple |
| almost always hear the same type of answers. | | | | sites are sharing the same resources on the |
| We expect to have a lot of visitors, we will be | | | | server, with the possibility of bottlenecks in the |
| sending all our customers to it, we need the | | | | information flow when multiple sites are being |
| space for all the information on our products, we | | | | resource intensive. Although bottlenecks like this |
| don't want to have our business on the same | | | | are uncommon, they do happen from time to |
| server as a bunch of other sites, etc. | | | | time. Good web hosts monitor their servers |
| For some reason, a lot of people and businesses | | | | consistently for such bottlenecks and balance their |
| have a negative view of shared hosting. Granted | | | | servers to maintain even flow. |
| there are a few sites that need dedicated hosting, | | | | Not Good For Resource Intensive Sites |
| however the vast majority, about 75%, really | | | | If you are going to be running a large forum or |
| only need shared hosting. Usually when I explain | | | | e-commerce site that requires a lot of database |
| the advantages and disadvantages of shared | | | | interaction, then shared hosting may not be the |
| hosting, and then give them my opinion of their | | | | right thing for you because of the limit on |
| needs, most go with shared hosting. | | | | resource usage. It all depends on what your sites |
| What Are The Advantages of Shared Hosting? | | | | needs are. If you know going into it that your site |
| Shared Hosting is Inexpensive (ie: Cost Effective) | | | | is going to be resource intensive, then you should |
| Let's face it, a good dedicated server is going to | | | | go with a VPS or dedicated server. |
| cost you or your business a lot of money, | | | | Dynamic IP |
| somewhere around $300 per month. Compared | | | | While Dedicated IPs are available in shared hosting, |
| with shared hosting averaging around $7 per | | | | usually for an additional monthly fee, the vast |
| month, that's a cost savings of $3500 annually. | | | | majority of shared hosting is done using dynamic |
| No Maintenance Costs (ie: Cost Efficient) | | | | IPs. In other words, all the sites which are hosted |
| With shared hosting there are no maintenance | | | | on a shared server use the same IP address. If |
| costs because the web hosting provider performs | | | | you know you will be needing a dedicated IP for |
| all maintenance and upgrades on their servers at | | | | SSL or some other reason, then you can easily |
| no cost to the end consumer, in other words, at | | | | add on a Dedicated IP address to your shared |
| no cost to you. They absorb the costs of | | | | hosting. But know that it will require an additional |
| maintenance and upgrades as a part of doing | | | | cost. |
| business. | | | | Security |
| Fast Setup | | | | While some people would consider this a |
| When you order shared hosting from a reputable | | | | disadvantage of shared hosting, it can also be an |
| web hosting provider, your shared hosting | | | | advantage depending on your point of view. |
| account is usually setup with hours, and | | | | Security in the online world is an ever-changing |
| sometimes minutes. Whereas if you order a | | | | environment which requires constant monitoring |
| dedicated server, you may have to wait 24 to 72 | | | | and updating of software to stay one step ahead |
| hours before your server is ready and online. | | | | of those people who enjoy hacking sites. With |
| Great For Small Or New Sites | | | | shared hosting, the hosting provider will take care |
| Shared web hosting is great for sites that are | | | | of locking down their server to the best of their |
| small, new, or not resource intensive since by | | | | ability. |
| definition, shared hosting is "shared". What this | | | | Unfortunately since there are many different sites |
| means is that multiple sites are all on the same | | | | on one server, all it takes is one script on |
| server sharing those servers resources. This is | | | | someone else's website to potentially cause |
| just fine for about 80% of all websites, and | | | | problems for every site on the server. It's up to |
| usually is not a problem. When a site really starts | | | | you to ensure your website scripts are kept |
| getting busy or need more resources is when you | | | | up-to-date and backed up to a safe place. |