A large component of planning the launch of your online store is choosing what kind of web hosting works for your company. Specifically, you’re probably going to be choosing from shared and dedicated hosting.
Which makes entrepreneurs wonder: What is shared vs dedicated hosting?
What Is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is web hosting in which the service provider serves pages for multiple websites and each have their own internet domain. This is often a cheaper route for businesses since multiple websites share the host site and therefore split the cost.
Advantages of Shared Hosting
- Like previously mentioned, shared hosting is by far the cheapest hosting option available for businesses. The usual price range of a hosting site is $2.99-$9.99.
- No technical maintenance needs to be done on your end, since this is usually included in your package.
- Most hosting companies have multiple tiers of hosting packages available, so you can upgrade easily as your business grows.
- Shared hosting usually comes equipped with a control panel that will make it a lot easier to manage your site.
Basically, shared hosting has many advantages for small businesses that are just getting started and are on a tight budget. It’s a smart and affordable way to get your site up and running online, and there’s room for growth. Shared hosting, however, has its drawbacks too.
Disadvantages of Shared Hosting
- The load time can be much slower than dedicated servers.
- The server can become overburdened by other websites that are sharing the server.
- If your website’s traffic does grow, you’ll most likely begin to notice the site working less effectively. The same goes if the business you’re sharing the server with is growing and yours isn’t.
- You don’t always know with whom you’re sharing a server. Although this is rare, it’s possible for other servers you’re sharing the site to jeopardize your business.
- You don’t get as much freedom with customizing your site than with a dedicated hosting service.
For most people getting started with their businesses online, shared hosting is a no-brainer. It’s affordable and easy to navigate. Just keep its disadvantages in mind if you have a large budget or expect your business to grow quickly.
Then you have the alternative: dedicated hosting.
What Is Dedicated Hosting?
Dedicated hosting is using a hosting site that offers exclusive use over that server’s resources. This offers a little more control and power over the company’s site. The provider works with the client to offer them the space that they need while also building and maintaining the server themselves, therefore still eliminating the business’s cost of purchasing its own server.
Advantages of Dedicated Hosting
- Server resources are not shared.
- Having a dedicated hosting service will enhance your site’s performance and security.
- A dedicated server allows client flexibility to create a customized experience for each customer.
- Your website gets its own unique IP address.
If you have the flexibility and budget to go with dedicated hosting, you’ll have more power and control over your website’s services. The drawbacks, however, also exist.
Disadvantages of Dedicated Hosting
- It’s more expensive than shared hosting services.
- You need a technologically advanced team to manage the server yourself.
- If you can’t troubleshoot the problems yourself, you’ll probably have to hire an additional technician to do the job for you – meaning you’ll have to spend even more money.
So, although using a dedicated hosting service offers you more freedom and flexibility in creating your website, it also means more pressure falls on you for creating a professional and easy-to-use site.
It’s up to you to decide what exactly your business needs and what you can afford. Hopefully reading these pros and cons of both shared and dedicated hosting helps you to make an informed decision on what will be best for your company. Now go launch that site!