What Is Shared Hosting?

When it comes to selecting the right hosting solution for your website, you’ll encounter a plethora of options. Beyond choosing a hosting provider, you must determine which type of hosting plan best meets your needs. For many first-time website creators, shared hosting is often recommended as a starting point. But what exactly is shared hosting, and is it the right choice for your site? 

And shared hosting is a popular choice of web hosting service, as it’s the most efficient and inexpensive. Web hosting, in general, is a hot commodity, with the global hosting services market expected to grow to $252.4 billion by 2030, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts. 

This growth underscores the increasing demand for web hosting services, with shared hosting frequently being the go-to solution for those just starting out. 

While shared hosting offers several advantages, it may not be suitable for every situation. In this guide, we’ll delve into the core features of shared hosting, exploring both its advantages and disadvantages, to help you make an informed decision about whether it’s the right fit for your website. 

What is shared hosting?

Starting a website is easier than it once was, but it can still be daunting if you’ve never done it before. Shared hosting is very popular for this reason, being the most accessible form of hosting for beginners. 

But what does shared hosting mean to you in a practical sense? Shared hosting is beginner-friendly, inexpensive and a great starting point for a brand-new website. 

But you may have heard some concerning things about its drawbacks: that it’s slow, restrictive and a security concern. 

While there’s some truth to this, shared hosting doesn’t have to be slow. Ultimately, it all depends on the quality of the web host you pick. 

How does shared hosting work?

With shared hosting, multiple websites are all hosted on a single server. Physical server resources like memory and bandwidth are shared between dozens of websites, as well as the database and email accounts servers. 

You might think this wouldn’t work well, but if no website takes up too many resources, you’ll never have a problem sharing a web server. 

Shared web hosts usually implement restrictions to stop any one website from hogging bandwidth or disk space and heighten security, so malware doesn’t spread between websites on a shared server. 

Other types of hosting offer private servers where you don’t have to share, but they’re more expensive and often include features a startup website just doesn’t need, like root access to the server. 

Advantages of shared hosting

While shared hosting sometimes gets a bad rap for being slow and unreliable, modern web hosts like Bluehost have implemented better servers, increased security features, cleaner control panels and more resources for all users. 

Let’s take an in-depth look at what the advantages are of choosing a shared hosting plan. 

Shared hosting is affordable 

Since multiple websites can live on one server, the price of shared hosting is very low. For less than $5 per month, almost anyone can afford to start a website. And they’re often bundled with a free domain name. 

If you’ve ever wanted to write a blog, start a small business or release a personal project, it’s entirely within your grasp thanks to the cost-effectiveness of shared hosting. 

Shared hosting is accessible 

Even if you’ve never owned a website before, most shared hosting plans have many tools to help you get started. 

For instance, Bluehost’s shared hosting plans come with one-click WordPress installation, which greatly simplifies the process of setting up your first website. 

Plus, the server setup is handled for you, so you can focus on designing your new website. 

And while you might need more technical knowledge to manage a server with advanced hosting options like dedicated hosting, most shared hosting packages come with control panels like cPanel or custom ones like Bluehost’s control panel. These let you change necessary server settings via a simple UI. 

Shared hosting is easy to use 

Shared hosting plans are managed, meaning the web host handles technical maintenance and server administration. Running your own server is no easy task, but a shared hosting package removes the difficulty and is all-around user-friendly. 

Things like setup, software installation, server updates and hardware upgrades are all out of your hands, so you can focus on growing and driving traffic to your site. 

And if you’re using WordPress, you don’t need coding knowledge to design your website. It’s easy to set everything up through WordPress’s interface and your web host’s control panel. 

Often, you don’t even need design skills to make a website look great since many shared hosting providers include website builders. 

Bluehost’s WonderSuite, for example, comes with all shared plans and walks you through setting up and designing a website. 

Shard hosting is User-Friendly  

Shared hosting plans are incredibly user-friendly. You don’t need to worry about the technical intricacies of managing a server because the web host takes care of it all.  

This means tasks like server setup, software installation, server updates, and hardware upgrades are completely handled by the hosting provider.  

With shared hosting, you can focus your energy on what truly matters – growing your website and attracting more visitors. 

Shared hosting enables multiple domains  

Shared hosting allows you to host multiple domains under a single hosting account.  

This feature is particularly advantageous if you have multiple websites or projects.  

You can manage all your domains from one central control panel, simplifying the administration process and saving you time and effort. 

Shared hosting provides security  

Security is a top priority for any website owner, and shared hosting doesn’t fall short in this regard.  

Hosting providers invest in robust security measures to protect their shared hosting servers. They often implement firewalls, regular security updates, and malware scanning to ensure your website remains safe and secure. 

Additionally, the shared hosting environment is monitored for any suspicious activities, helping to prevent security breaches. 

Shared hosting offers scalability 

Shared hosting offers website owners a great deal of flexibility. It enables you to begin with a simple hosting package and gradually build up as your site grows. This means you may change your hosting resources, including storage and bandwidth, without having to move providers or go through complicated migrations.  

This adaptability makes shared hosting a good alternative for individuals that anticipate growth or have changing demands, guaranteeing that your hosting plan evolves with your website. 

Shared hosting is beginner-friendly 

One of the most distinguishing advantages of shared hosting is its ease of use for beginners. It is specifically intended for people who are new to website maintenance. Shared hosting plans often include user-friendly control panels like cPanel, which make it easier to set up and manage your website.  

These user-friendly interfaces and pre-installed tools make it simple for beginners to establish and maintain their websites without requiring substantial technical knowledge. 

No technical expertise required 

Shared hosting does not require any technological expertise, making it accessible to folks who are not tech savvy. Hosting companies handle all server maintenance, upgrades, and security measures, so you don’t have to bother about the technical details.  

This means you can focus on the content and growth of your website while the hosting provider handles the technical parts, giving you peace of mind and a hassle-free experience. 

Disadvantages of shared hosting 

While shared hosting is an excellent choice for most new websites, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Several things make it less than ideal for specific websites and projects. 

Technical restrictions 

While it isn’t essential for most websites, many shared hosting plans have a strict usage policy and technical restrictions. 

While these understandably exist to keep other websites on the shared server secure and prevent server-wide slowdowns, they can make certain projects impractical. 

For example, if you want to install server software, run a different operating system or change other advanced technical settings, you’re better off with a virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated server as they offer greater control and customization than shared hosting plans. 

Some shared hosts impose restrictions like a low PHP memory limit, which can cause issues with certain WordPress plugins. With Bluehost, the default memory limit is set to 256M, but some hosts set it as low as 128M. 

Some hosts ban specific plugins because their presence can compromise a shared hosting environment. These plugins might also duplicate provided functionality or use up too many resources and are a strain on the shared server. 

Finally, if you begin to exceed bandwidth or storage to the point that you’re slowing down other websites, you may need to upgrade your account. 

Exceeding your plan’s bandwidth limits on a regular basis can result in your website’s speed being “throttled” or slowed down dramatically. You may also receive overage charges or even have your account suspended in extreme cases. 

Your shared hosting plan’s limits will depend on the provider you’ve chosen. 

Performance and security concerns 

While hosting on a single server keeps prices low, it also means that you’re sharing the physical resources that support your website with dozens of others. 

It’s normal for your website to be a little slower than if you had a dedicated server; however, a good host would provide acceptable speeds. 

But if one website gets a traffic spike or overuses its allotted resources, all websites on the server could be affected. Similarly, if a single website is compromised by malware, all could be infected. 

Finally, sharing an email server with a website that regularly sends spam might result in your emails landing in the spam folder as well. 

Good hosting companies will handle any issues arising from the shared environment, throttling problematic websites, kicking off spammy websites and helping you remove malware from your site. 

Minimal scalability 

Shared hosting plans can scale up to a point. Generally, the host will offer multiple shared plans with things like unlimited bandwidth and storage. The specific limits will depend on the hosting company and provider. 

But as your website grows increasingly popular, you’ll need to seriously consider whether it might make more sense to switch to a different type of website hosting, like a VPS or dedicated server. Both hosting solutions can accommodate the needs of scaling businesses better because they can handle more traffic from the get-go. 

Here’s the good news: switching plan types is easy if you stick with the same host. Bluehost offers multiple kinds of hosting that you can easily upgrade to when your website begins to outgrow its shared hosting plan. 

Decreases site speed 

Shared hosting means you’re sharing server resources, including CPU, RAM, and bandwidth, with other websites hosted on the same server.  

As a result, during peak traffic periods or if neighboring websites experience high levels of activity, your site’s loading speed may decrease. 

This can lead to a less-than-optimal user experience, especially if your website depends on quick load times. 

Potential server crashes 

Shared hosting servers can occasionally experience downtime or crashes due to various reasons.  

If one website on the shared server experiences a sudden surge in traffic, it can impact the overall server performance and potentially lead to server crashes.  

While hosting providers strive to minimize such occurrences, they are a possibility in shared hosting environments. 

Limited resources 

One of the primary downsides of shared hosting is the limited number of resources accessible to each website. Because several sites use the same server, your CPU, RAM, and bandwidth resources are constrained. This can become a problem if your website receives a lot of traffic or if other sites on the server are using too many resources, thereby slowing down your site’s performance and harming user experience. 

Shared IP 

Another disadvantage of shared hosting is the use of a common IP address. Multiple websites are hosted on the same server; therefore, they all have the same IP address. This can cause issues with email deliverability and SEO. For example, if another site on the same server gets labeled for spam or harmful activities, it may harm your site’s reputation and lead your emails to be marked as spam. 

Limited customization 

Limited customization is another significant downside of shared hosting. Because you share the server with other users, you may have limitations on server configurations and the types of software or scripts you can run. Because of this lack of flexibility, you are unable to make advanced adjustments or optimize your server environment, which can be a drawback if your website requires specific technical settings or adaptations. 

What should you look for in shared hosting? 

When selecting a shared hosting provider, it’s crucial to consider several key factors to ensure you get the best value and performance for your website. Here are the essential elements to look for in shared hosting: 

1. Storage Space: Assess your website’s storage needs. Shared hosting plans typically offer varying levels of storage space. Ensure that the hosting provider offers enough storage to accommodate your current website’s content and any anticipated growth. Consider factors like images, videos, and additional files when determining your storage requirements. 
2. Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between your website and its visitors. Choose a shared hosting plan with sufficient bandwidth to handle your expected website traffic. It’s essential to avoid plans with bandwidth limitations that could lead to slow loading times or overage charges if you exceed the allocated bandwidth. 
3. Easy-to-Use Dashboard: A user-friendly control panel or dashboard is essential for managing your website, domains, email accounts, and other hosting features. Popular control panels like cPanel or Plesk are often included with shared hosting plans and make it easier to set up and maintain your website without advanced technical knowledge. 
4. Database and Programming Language Support: Check if the hosting provider supports the specific database systems and programming languages your website requires. For example, if your website is built with WordPress, ensure that the host supports PHP and MySQL. Verify compatibility with any other web applications or frameworks you intend to use. 

Who should use shared hosting? 

1. Beginners and small Businesses: Shared hosting is an excellent choice for individuals who are new to website hosting and management. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require extensive technical knowledge. Small businesses, startups, and personal websites with limited budgets can benefit from the cost-effectiveness of shared hosting. 
2. Low to moderate traffic websites: If your website receives low to moderate levels of traffic, shared hosting can adequately handle the load. This includes personal blogs, portfolio websites, informational sites, and small online businesses. Shared hosting provides enough resources to serve these types of websites efficiently. 
3. Budget-conscious individuals: Shared hosting plans are typically the most affordable hosting option available. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t require advanced features or extensive server resources, shared hosting allows you to establish an online presence without breaking the bank. 
4. Non-technical users: Shared hosting is designed for users who may not have advanced technical skills. Many hosting providers offer user-friendly control panels like cPanel or Plesk, making it easy to set up and manage websites, domains, and email accounts without the need for coding or server administration expertise. 
5. Static or light dynamic websites: If your website primarily consists of static content, like text and images, or utilizes lightweight dynamic elements, shared hosting is suitable. Websites with complex, resource-intensive applications may benefit from higher-tier hosting options like VPS or dedicated servers. 

Is shared hosting right for you? 

If you’re unsure of choosing the best shared hosting providers, then here’s a list of factors to consider. 

1. Resource requirements: If you know that you’ll have high traffic right off the bat, will need a lot of storage space or are creating a RAM-intensive application, then shared hosting probably won’t do it for you. But if you’re just starting out with a small website, shared hosting will serve you well. 
2. Technical needs: Shared plans have a lot of restrictions so that websites on one server remain isolated. If you need root access to the server or want to do something advanced, try a different type of hosting. If not, shared hosting makes for an easy “in” to becoming a website owner. 
3. Speed and uptime: Shared hosting can be slow if you pick a questionable host. Make sure to do your research and pick one with a track record of delivering reliable uptime. In doing so, you shouldn’t notice major issues with website speed or uptime. 
4. Security: There are some security concerns when sharing a server with unknown websites. A good web hosting provider will take security seriously so that breaches are incredibly rare. However, there’s no way to completely eradicate the risk. If you host confidential data, you might want to try a more secure type of hosting. Even so, security is a minimal issue with a reputable host. 
5. Scalability: Shared hosting is great if you’re just hosting a small personal website that you don’t expect will grow much. Personal portfolios, hobby blogs and even niche online shops can thrive on shared hosting. Otherwise, at some point, you’ll outgrow your shared server and must migrate. Sticking with the same web host is a good way to make upgrading your plan easier. 

Remember, most websites will get by just fine with shared hosting. And if in the future you do find yourself scraping up against your plan’s limitations, you can always upgrade to something with more customization, like VPS hosting, when you need to. 

How to choose the right shared hosting plan 

When first getting into web hosting, especially if you’re new to developing websites, it might be difficult to choose the correct shared hosting plan. Shared hosting is frequently recommended for novices due to its low cost and ease of use, but choosing the ideal package requires careful analysis. Here’s a step-by-step guide to selecting the best shared hosting package for your needs. 

Assess your website’s needs  

Before diving into the various plans, it’s crucial to understand what your website needs. Estimate how much storage you’ll require based on the size of your website’s content. Most shared hosting plans include a variety of storage options, so select one that meets your present and anticipated storage requirements. Bandwidth defines how much data can be exchanged between your website and its visitors. Your website’s complexity is also an important consideration. Simple sites, such as blogs or personal portfolios, require less resources, whereas e-commerce sites or those with a lot of multimedia may need more.  

Check security features 

Security is a vital requirement for every website, so be sure your hosting company uses strong security methods. Look for features like firewalls to protect your site from harmful attacks, regular malware scanning to detect and eliminate any threats, and SSL certificates to encrypt data transmitted between your website and its visitors, all of which improve overall security. 

Review performance and reliability 

Performance and uptime are critical to keeping your website accessible and functional. When choosing a hosting company, look for an uptime guarantee of 99.9% or higher to ensure that your site is always available. Additionally, while shared hosting may not provide the same speed as dedicated servers, it is critical to choose a service known for dependable and quick performance. Bluehost is well-known for its consistent uptime and solid performance, as seen by favorable reviews and performance statistics. 

Consider customer support  

Good customer service can make a big impact, especially if you’re new to web hosting. Check to see if the company offers Reliable and accessible support can help to resolve issues swiftly. Live chat, phone, and email support options give you a variety of ways to seek help. 

Look for upgrade options 

As your website grows, you may require more resources than shared hosting plans can provide. Choose a service that enables seamless upgrades to more complex hosting solutions such as VPS or dedicated servers. 

Compare pricing and plans 

Finally, compare the price and features of several shared hosting services. Look for plans that provide good value for money, with an appropriate balance of features, resources, and support. 

How to choose a shared hosting provider? 

When selecting a shared hosting company, you must consider performance, security, and support. Performance and uptime are essential considerations; a dependable provider should provide a high uptime guarantee—ideally 99.9%—to ensure that your website is always accessible and running. Fast load times are also critical for providing a seamless user experience. Bluehost excels in this aspect, thanks to its steady performance and high uptime, which helps keep your site running smoothly. 

In addition to performance, security precautions are critical for safeguarding your website from potential dangers. Look for a provider who offers extensive security features such as firewalls to protect against malicious attacks, frequent malware scanning to detect and eradicate threats, and SSL certificates to encrypt data sent between your website and visitors. Bluehost incorporates these advanced security measures into its hosting services to provide a secure environment for your website. 

Finally, customer assistance is an important part of the hosting experience. A service that offers 24-hour support via many channels—such as live chat, phone, and email—can resolve any issues promptly and effectively.  

Bluehost is known for its excellent customer service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to guarantee that any issues are fixed quickly. By focusing on three main aspects—performance, security, and support—you can choose a shared hosting company that fulfills your requirements, with Bluehost standing out due to its outstanding performance and thorough support. 

Alternatives to shared hosting: 

Shared hosting is often the preferred option for newcomers looking for an easy-to-use platform. However, if you intend to create high-traffic websites, shared hosting may not give adequate resources and performance. In such instances, it’s critical to investigate alternative hosting choices that better meet your requirements.  

Let’s look at some of the most common options to determine the best fit for your website. 

Cloud hosting   

Cloud hosting uses a network of virtual servers that tap into an underlying pool of physical resources. It’s perfect for businesses with fluctuating traffic or those who are planning to scale quickly. Highlights of cloud hosting include:  

Scalability: Resources can be adjusted dynamically to meet the traffic demands of your website, which is perfect for growth and high-traffic events.  

High reliability: The use of multiple servers reduces the risk of downtime; if one server fails, another can take its place easily.  

Performance efficiency: With resources allocated across various servers, cloud hosting can handle high traffic and intensive tasks more efficiently than shared hosting.  

Deciding between shared and cloud hosting should be based on specific criteria such as expected traffic, budget constraints, performance requirements, and scalability needs. Shared hosting is apt for those who are just beginning and have limited technical requirements. In contrast, cloud hosting is ideal for those looking for a powerful, scalable, and reliable hosting solution that can dynamically adjust to their growing business needs. This choice ensures your website is well-positioned to perform optimally and meet the demands of your visitors or customers  

Here are the cloud hosting web hosting plans that you can choose from: 

Dedicated hosting 

Bluehost’s dedicated hosting solutions offer exceptional performance and scalability, catering to the needs of high-traffic websites and applications. With a range of plans featuring cutting-edge technology, these servers provide unparalleled speed, ample storage, and robust security for any demanding environment. 

• Performance and Scalability: Choose from plans like Standard NVMe 32 with 8 CPU cores and 32 GB RAM, to the Premium NVMe 128 featuring 32 CPU cores and 128 GB RAM. Each plan ensures top-tier performance and ample capacity with up to 3000 GB of NVMe storage. 

• High-Speed Access: Enjoy unmetered bandwidth, a 10 Gbps network, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee for reliable and fast connectivity. 

• Advanced Features: Benefit from full root access, DDoS protection, SSL certifications, and automatic scalability between NVMe plans. 

• Support and Management: Access dedicated support, easy storage upgrades, and fast provisioning with custom-built servers connected within 24-72 hours. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also included. 

Dedicated hosting offers significant advantages over shared hosting by providing exclusive resources and higher performance. Unlike shared hosting, where multiple users share the same server resources, dedicated hosting ensures that all server resources are exclusively yours, which translates to superior speed, customization, and security. Dedicated hosting is ideal for high-traffic sites or applications requiring robust performance and reliability, whereas shared hosting is generally more suitable for smaller websites with less demanding requirements due to its cost-effectiveness and lower resource allocation. 

Here are the dedicated hosting web hosting plans that you can choose from: 

VPS hosting 

VPS hosting, or virtual private server hosting, provides a dedicated section of a server tailored exclusively for your website. Bluehost’s VPS solutions are designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability, catering to a range of needs from small projects to more demanding applications. 

• Flexible Plans: Start with the Standard VPS NVMe 4 featuring 2 vCPU cores and 4 GB of RAM, or upgrade to the Enhanced VPS NVMe 8 with 4 vCPU cores and 8 GB of RAM for more power. The Ultimate VPS NVMe 16 offers top-tier performance with 8 vCPU cores and 16 GB of RAM. 

• High-Speed Storage: All plans come with ultra-fast NVMe storage, up to 450 GB, ensuring quick access and performance. 

• Unmetered Bandwidth: Benefit from unmetered bandwidth and a dedicated IP address, ideal for managing your server efficiently. 

• Advanced Features: Enjoy full root access, free migration, and extensive security features, including a 99.9% uptime guarantee and PCIe 5.0 technology for superior reliability. 

VPS hosting offers several advantages over shared hosting by providing dedicated server resources and greater control. While shared hosting involves multiple users sharing the same server resources, VPS hosting allocates specific resources exclusively for your use, resulting in improved performance and customization. VPS is ideal for users who need more power and flexibility, such as running high-traffic sites or complex applications, whereas shared hosting is generally more economical and suited for less demanding websites with lower resource needs. 

Here are the VPS hosting web hosting plans that you can choose from: 

WordPress hosting 

WordPress hosting is specifically designed to optimize and streamline the management of WordPress websites. Bluehost offers robust and affordable WordPress hosting plans, making it an excellent choice for building and maintaining a high-performing WordPress site. 

• Affordable Plans: Bluehost’s WordPress hosting starts at $2.95 per month, with options for additional features and resources as needed. 

• Free Domain and SSL: Get a free domain for the first year and a free SSL certificate for enhanced security. Higher-tier plans include SSL for the duration. 

• Performance Features: Enjoy unmetered bandwidth, SSD storage ranging from 10 GB to 100 GB, and free CDN on all plans to ensure fast and reliable website performance. 

• Expert Support: Benefit from 24/7 support, including access to Pro Design Live and Full-Service Website Design for comprehensive assistance with WordPress development and design. 

While Bluehost’s WordPress hosting plans are built to cater specifically to WordPress sites with features like automatic installation and enhanced security, shared hosting provides a more generalized environment where multiple websites share the same server resources. WordPress hosting offers tailored optimizations, such as automatic updates and specialized support, which can lead to better performance and easier management for WordPress sites compared to the broader approach of shared hosting. Shared hosting is often a cost-effective option for smaller sites or those with less specific needs, but WordPress hosting provides a more focused solution for users seeking optimized performance and expert support for their WordPress websites. 

Here are the WordPress hosting web hosting plans that you can choose from: 

Final thoughts: What is shared hosting? Pros and cons explained 

While shared hosting isn’t right for all types of websites, it will get the job done efficiently for most of them. It’s perfect for small and medium-sized websites but may not be enough resource-wise for larger ones. 

Shared hosting does have some restrictions and problems with long-term scalability, but it makes up for this with its cost-efficiency, accessibility to beginners and ease of use thanks to the plethora of tools most web hosts include in their plans. 

And the few downsides will be further minimized if you stick with a reliable and feature-rich web host like Bluehost. Bluehost offers shared hosting that’s perfect for beginners who want to quickly get a new website online. Our shared hosting plans come with 24/7 customer support, automatic malware scans and seamless WordPress installation and customization with WonderSuite. 

Contact us to learn how Bluehost can help you launch a truly impressive website today. 

Common questions about shared hosting 

How does Shared Hosting differ from other hosting types? 

Shared Hosting offers cost-efficient, user-friendly hosting by allocating resources across multiple websites, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality. 

Can I upgrade from Shared Hosting to another hosting type later? 

With Bluehost, the answer is yes! As your website grows, seamlessly upgrade to more robust hosting solutions, ensuring uninterrupted scaling. Take a look at this instructional video on how to upgrade accounts later.   

Is Shared Hosting Good for Blogging? 

Shared Hosting is ideal for bloggers! Enjoy swift load times, easy installation, and robust tools to bring your content alive.