Shared hosting is a website hosting solution where the same physical web server is used by many users to store a lot of websites.
In shared hosting, web hosting providers sell the same physical resources like the RAM, storage, and CPU to many users.
Therefore no one has exclusive controls over the server resources.
Hundreds or even thousands of websites are stored on a single web server in case of a shared hosting plans.
Because the same resources are shared among all the website on the server, resource limitation is one of the biggest problems with shared hosting.
But because of the resource sharing facility, shared hosting is the cheapest hosting solution.
- Least expensive
- Easy to use and manage
- Maintained by professionals
- No technical skill required
- Cpanel access
- Round the clock support
- Creation of many email accounts
- CMS facility
- Slower website speed
- Resource limitations
- Higher downtime
- Limited software
- Security issue
- Suffering from other’s activities
- Limited expansion
- Limited control
VPS Hosting
Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a website hosting solution where a physical web server is partitioned into multiple segments and each segment is used by a separate user for hosting his own websites.
In VPS hosting, web hosting providers sell the same physical resources like the RAM, storage, and CPU to multiple users.
But because of the virtualized partitioning of resources, all users have their own space on the resources that aren’t shared with anyone else.
In VPS hosting, users usually have all the control over their own partition of the resources.
So, they can install any software they want and use their private spaces however they need.
They also have the options to configure server hardware like how much CPU, RAM and storage according to their needs.
Because VPS hosting users share resources of a web server, the cost is less than dedicated hosting but higher than shared hosting.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is a website hosting solution where a totally separate physical web server is used by only one user for storing his own websites.
In dedicated hosting, web hosting providers sell totally separated physical resources like the RAM, storage, and CPU to separate people.
Because each user gets a separate web server, they usually have all the control over the resources even though they don't have access to the physical hardware.
Users can install any software they want and use the resources however they need.
They also have options to configure server hardware according to their needs.
But because of the use to totally separated resources, the cost for dedicated hosting is the highest.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a website hosting solution where a network of physical web servers are connected together which are then partitioned into multiple segments and each segment is used by a separate user for hosting his own websites.
VPS hosting and cloud hosting are both very similar in that physical resources are partitioned into multiple segments and each segment is allocated to a different user. But the main difference between them is that individual partitions in VPS hosting are made from a single physical server whereas individual partitions in cloud hosting are made from multiple servers that are connected in the same network.
Because resources are allocated from a network of physical machines, in cloud hosting, server resources highly scalable and therefore they are distributed on-demand to the users based on their individual needs. This also allows users to easily upgrade or downgrade their server resources and therefore have more control over their costs.
Cloud hosting is considered to be the best type of hosting solution available today.
Why VPS or Dedicated Hosting?
Shared hosting server serves a lot of websites using the same physical resources so none of the websites get a lot of allocated resource.
Therefore, excessive use by any website can cause a lot of pressure on the server and it can lead to slow server response time.
Which causes longer website loading time for all the websites on the server.
The server may even go through downtime because of the excessive pressure by one website.
And if the server goes down, all the websites on the server will also go through downtime.
In order to avoid this kind of unexpected scenarios, a VPS or Dedicated Server is required.
You can have your own server resources by upgrading to a VPS or Dedicated hosting plan which will help to maintain your website performance.
Also, if someone on the same resources is using their website for spamming or for other unethical activities, Google may find that out and punish by not showing any websites on the same server on search results.
So, you will also suffer from the activities of someone else if you are on a shared hosting plan.
If you are concerned about the above issues of shared hosting plan, you should consider upgrading to a VPS or a Dedicated hosting plan.
Which Hosting Plan Do You Need?
If you are just starting out with your website, a shared hosting plan will be enough because you won’t have a lot of traffic on the website.
Generally, shared hosting plans can be suitable for websites under 2000 daily visitors.
But if your website is having more daily visitors, you should consider going for a VPS hosting plan.
But if you are having millions of monthly visitors on your website or if you want to have all the controls on a web server, you should consider going for a dedicated hosting plan.
In a VPS or dedicated server, you will have the option to configure the server resources that are allocated to you.
So, you will be able to configure your hosting plan based on your requirements.
This way you can be ready for any kind of circumstances that might happen with your website.