Define ‘Shared Hosting’

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where a single server hosts multiple websites, sometimes hundreds. Many websites sharing the same resources on a single server will certainly keep the owner of the server’s costs low. It’s typically priced for the public based upon the assumption those using the host won’t need much in the way of server resources. The benefit to a website owner is the low monthly cost for getting a website live. If you have chosen cut-throat website host pricing for your business website then it is likely that you have chosen shared hosting!

We saw a relatively high profile web consultant recommend that his audience use a super cheap host service. He spoke nothing of the potential pitfalls, probably had no idea himself … BUT we felt we should write on the subject here to point out the potential downside. For instance, if there are 500 random websites on 1 shared host server and 1 website sees a large increase in traffic then it will draw from the shared bandwidth of all 499 other websites. Slowdowns become highly likely, even full downtime and that’s just the obvious stuff.

For the business with legitimate traffic or that is fighting a competitive SEO battle, shared hosting is NOT a way to go! If you are serious about your web presence, you need either a VPS or a Dedicated service. The benefit of these options is that resources like bandwidth are not shared and so, for instance, up-time and page loads should be more reliable and quicker.

When Hosting Sounds Too Good To Be True … It Is!

 

Shared hosting is not sufficient for a website with potentially high traffic spikes. You have spent time and energy building a product, services, and a brand, so when you grow or get a popular moment are you prepared? For example, say Digg.com points to your website one day and there’s a traffic surge. With shared hosting, there’s a chance you’ll go down before you ever benefit from that surge. And if so, what of the reward for all your hard work?

If your site grows in popularity are there even options to optimize for additional traffic? What is the cost to transfer your website and content seamlessly? Have you thought any about the retention of your data, images and video files? How about your back-links? Your subscribers? Search engine indexing? How much will it cost to get someone experienced enough to successfully transfer all you have accumulated and that you want to protect, correctly?

What Is Hosting with a FREE Install?

 

What does a one-click install mean anyway? Does it even address updates or that the software quickly becomes problematic it’s not updating? If a major security release ever came along, will this host mange it or tell you? And if so, are you waiting until the installer decides to update… rather than right away?Do you have any custom design? Any custom configuration? Certainly, you have custom Search Engine Optimization? How about plugins? Are you using or embedding any 3rd party software? Analytics maybe? And what if all those features begin to hog resources? Will your shared host simply shut you down with no explanation. Got a question about modifying something or adding a new feature? Either plan on lots of research in the support forums, assuming someone there has even dealt with your problem before. And folks, our CTO used to manage those forums! He’ll be the first to tell you the volume is such, dozens of questions go unanswered. What would you expect when the forums are volunteer?

Get Better Host & Updates Management Service!

 

Folks, with shared hosting you need to be realistic about potential downtime, service limitations, the possibility of things breaking and additional costs.

What do serious business people do? They get a dedicated website hosting, with managed updating and responsive service… maybe like ours! Unlike most host plans, you will NEVER wait in a phone system only to receive the next service person who is NEITHER familiar with you or your business. This team is vested in understanding what your business does. A genuine marketing host and updates management service, we limit website numbers per server and place focus on understanding your website, its theme, applications and the purpose of your business. No weaponized service people or confusion-selling and no long term contracts, just effort to inform and support your business.

That’s personalized WordPress hosting & updates management; that is Kinetic Knowledge!