Shared hosting is typically the most cost-effective way to obtain cloud services. Many small businesses and personal websites are built using shared web hosting resources.

This article examines shared hosting services, their benefits and possible disadvantages, and provides an overview of some of the top companies offering shared hosting plans.

What Is a Shared Hosting Provider?

A shared hosting provider is a company that offers web hosting services to multiple customers using the same physical server and its associated resources. A single server is partitioned into multiple hosting accounts, with each account hosting a different website. The shared hosting provider is responsible for server management, including performing maintenance and ensuring security.

Shared hosting companies can maximize their hardware investment by supporting multiple users on one machine. There are advantages and potential issues associated with this type of web hosting that customers should consider when selecting a hosting solution.

What Are the Benefits of Shared Hosting Services?

Organizations or individuals typically select shared hosting to create and support a website for several reasons. Shared web hosting services provide customers with the following benefits.

  • A shared hosting plan is the most cost-effective way to create a website and develop a web presence. It is more affordable than many other cloud hosting options, such as provisioning a dedicated server. Companies with limited financial resources or startups can save significant funds by choosing a shared web hosting plan.
  • Shared web hosting companies handle server maintenance and management. The customer can focus on running their website while the provider ensures the hosting platform is secure, available, and exhibiting acceptable performance. Organizations may choose a shared hosting provider to gain experience that they can leverage in the future to support other types of cloud hosting plans, such as dedicated servers.
  • Shared web hosting companies appeal to users with limited technical skills. Many users want to run a WordPress site or online store with minimal technical expertise requirements. Most providers offer simple control panels, such as Plesk or cPanel, making it easy for users to access and modify their accounts.

Are There Potential Drawbacks to Shared Web Hosting?

Shared web hosting may not be the optimal solution for some organizations. The following are some key issues to consider when selecting this type of web hosting service.

  • Limited control – Users have limited control over their website settings when sharing a server. Customers must work within the provider’s constraints and may not be able to optimize the account to meet their needs. Potential clients should investigate the specific hosting features available with a provider’s shared plans.
  • Potential security risks – Organizations that share a server with other customers may be exposed to additional security risks. A customer following security best practices may be impacted by malware that was introduced to the server via another account.
  • Inconsistent performance – Companies may experience inconsistent performance when running a website on a shared platform. A customer can be negatively affected by the resource usage of other tenants since the server does not have unlimited bandwidth. Website performance may fluctuate wildly if accounts use more resources than usual. Organizations that require support for tens of thousands of transactions or unlimited traffic may not be satisfied with a shared hosting plan.
  • Shared IP address – The lack of a dedicated IP address presents companies with the risk of being blacklisted due to the malicious exploits of other tenants sharing the resources. A rogue tenant can make it difficult for users to operate their website effectively by blacklisting their IP address.

How Does Shared Hosting Compare to Dedicated Hosting?

Organizations seeking a web hosting plan might require more control and security than what is offered by a shared hosting solution. Companies with more stringent requirements may opt for a dedicated server solution. The following table highlights the key differences between shared and dedicated hosting solutions.

Shared hosting Dedicated hosting
Cost Affordable websites More expensive
Control Limited control over server resources Extensive control over system resources and configuration
Security Potential security issues with a shared server Strong security with an isolated environment
Performance Inconsistent performance, based on the other sites’ usage patterns Consistent performance and site speed with dedicated resources
Regulatory compliance Shared servers typically will not meet regulatory compliance standards Dedicated servers provide the enhanced security necessary to meet compliance regulations
Technical expertise requirements Limited or no technical knowledge required Technical knowledge is encouraged to optimize server usage

 

Who Should Use Shared Web Hosting Services?

Shared hosting services are ideal for many customers due to their low cost and reduced technical requirements. The following are some of the most common use cases for shared web hosting providers.

  • Small business websites and startups can save money by working with budget hosts.
  • Users creating personal blogs will appreciate the user-friendly aspects of shared hosting.
  • Low-traffic websites can operate effectively with the limited resources available from a shared server.

How to Select a Shared Hosting Company

Prospective customers should consider the following factors before selecting a shared hosting plan.

  • A user-friendly platform is an essential feature for many shared hosting customers. Individuals and small companies are often drawn to this type of hosting service because they lack technical expertise or resources. Providers should offer a user-friendly control panel allowing users to monitor their site.
  • The provider must offer customers access to a support team that can assist them in resolving issues promptly. Ideally, the company should have a comprehensive support center including 24/7 phone and live chat support.
  • The provider should offer various web hosting plans to cater to different customer needs. Some companies may specialize in specific WordPress hosting plans for customers who use that popular platform.
  • A money-back guarantee should protect companies if they are unsatisfied with the service.
  • Customers should look for providers with experience and an excellent industry reputation.

Top Shared Web Hosting Companies in the USA

The following companies are among the top web hosting service providers in the USA. Small organizations and individuals should consider a shared web hosting plan to host a WordPress site or other low-traffic websites. The best web hosting service companies typically offer different hosting plans tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

NameCheap

NameCheap offers shared hosting tailored to the needs of users building WordPress websites. Customers can choose from various web hosting plans and purchase a domain name for as low as $0.99. The company also enables users to create email accounts with up to five mailboxes. Users can add SSL certificates to protect their website, and the company provides 24/7 support.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy provides affordable and reliable WordPress and WooCommerce hosting to support customers’ online businesses. They offer a streamlined website builder and one-click installations with the latest software versions and features for your site. Users can customize their website with a wide variety of plugins and themes. Customers get lifetime free domain protection and expert technical support.

ScalaHosting

ScalaHosting offers a range of different web hosting plans tailored to meet the needs of various user groups. The advanced shared hosting plans allow users to host multiple websites from their account. ScalaHosting is a beginner-friendly hosting solution that gives users all the tools they need to succeed. The company has an unconditional money-back guarantee to protect unsatisfied customers.

Hostgator

Hostgator provides managed, scalable shared hosting plans to address a wide range of user requirements. Websites are protected with free SSL certificates and automated malware protection. The company offers user-friendly automatic WordPress installation and plugins to customize the website. Users benefit from Host Gator’s support, which includes 24/7/365 customer support via chat or phone.

Wix

Wix lets users build a site in minutes using its AI-powered website builder. Customers can choose from over 900 pre-made templates to get up and running quickly. The company’s advanced design tools enable users to customize their site, making it stand out from the crowd. A centralized and comprehensive dashboard enables customers to manage their business efficiently.

IONOS

IONOS offers low-cost shared hosting options to meet customer needs, ranging from creating an accessible online store to quickly building a test website. Hosting plans include managed WordPress sites with customizable updates and online store building with AI tools. The company provides customers with a personal consultant for tailored support 24/7/365.

Conclusion

Shared hosting plans provide customers an affordable way to establish a web presence, such as with a WordPress website or a startup ecommerce store. The companies we have identified all offer low-cost shared hosting services suitable for the needs of many users. Companies seeking more control, enhanced security, and improved reliability may benefit from a different hosting option.

Atlantic.Net offers customers a wide range of cloud and dedicated hosting options, including high-performance GPU servers. Contact us to discover how we can elevate your web hosting experience to the next level and help your business grow its online presence.