Shared hosting pros and cons

First of all, is it worth establishing: what is shared hosting? The simplest explanation is that it is a form of web hosting in which multiple websites, often belonging to various businesses, are hosted on the same server. A system administrator will usually have control over the setup and maintenance of the servers.

 Now, let’s explore some shared hosting pros and cons.

Advantages of shared hosting

It’s very cheap

Many of the bargain basement hosting options you will find online are shared hosting services. If the bottom line is the be all and end all of your hosting specification, a shared hosting setup is likely to be the cheapest you will find. Just be sure to check the cons list before going ahead to make sure you’re happy with what you will get for your money.

No administration issues

If handling the admin for your server seems like a bit of a headache, a shared hosting service will take that away because the web host will usually be responsible for administration and maintenance of the hardware. 

Disadvantages of shared hosting

Lack of admin access

The downside of having the server admin off your plate by choosing a shared hosting service is that it means your access is restricted on the occasions that you do need to perform an admin task. For example, if you want to deploy software that is different to the hosting provider's standard support, you might be unable to do so. And your lack of root access might impact on your ability to perform some tasks.

Performance issues due to other customers

When opting for a shared server, you have no idea what is going on elsewhere on the same server. If you web host has opted to jam-pack customers onto the server to maximise revenue, your heavily-laden hardware might suffer performance problems that impact the speed or availability of your website.

File permission risks

Incorrectly configured file permission settings could allow fellow users of the server to access your files. Given that you have no idea what security measures they have in place, this could allow easy access to hackers or cybercriminals if another customer’s account is compromised. 

Conclusion

Although there are shared hosting pro and cons, this type of service is really only suitable for those who are looking for the cheapest possible price and have very limited expectations in terms of performance and security.

Those working to a tight budget but in need of more when it comes to security, performance and admin access should consider spending slightly more in order to get a Virtual Private Server (VPS).