Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where multiple websites share the same physical server and resources. Each website has its own separate account and file system, but they all share the same:
1. Server hardware (CPU, RAM, disk space)
2. Operating system
3. Web server software (e.g., Apache, Nginx)
4. IP address
Shared hosting is a cost-effective and convenient option for small to medium-sized websites, blogs, and online portfolios. Here are some characteristics of shared hosting:
Pros:
1. Affordable pricing (typically $3-$15/month)
2. Easy to set up and manage
3. Minimal technical expertise required
4. Suitable for small to medium-sized websites
5. Often includes control panels like cPanel or Plesk
Cons:
1. Limited resources (CPU, RAM, disk space)
2. Shared IP address
3. Potential for "noisy neighbor" issues (resource contention)
4. Limited customization options
5. Security risks if other websites on the server are compromised
Shared hosting plans usually include:
1. Disk space (storage for files and databases)
2. Bandwidth (data transfer limit)
3. Email accounts
4. Databases (e.g., MySQL)
5. FTP access
6. Control panel access
Shared hosting is suitable for:
1. Small businesses
2. Blogs
3. Personal websites
4. Online portfolios
5. Development and testing environments
However, if your website requires:
1. High traffic
2. High resource usage
3. Custom configurations
4. Dedicated resources
Consider upgrading to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or dedicated server.
