Shared hosting is a budget-friendly way for webmasters to get their websites up and running without having in-depth knowledge of servers. It is an ideal option for beginners and websites that do not receive too much traffic.
The best shared hosts offer affordable prices and easy maintenance. They also provide scalable plans that can accommodate the growth of your website.
Cost
Shared hosting is the cheapest way to start your own website. It is also the best solution for websites that don’t receive high traffic volumes. However, as your site gets more popular, you may need to move it to a VPS or dedicated server to avoid slow performance.
When comparing shared hosting plans, you should take into account the fine print and the features. Some hosts charge extra for certain features, such as one-click installs, a free domain, and SSL certificates. Others provide these features as standard.
Among the most affordable options, DreamHost provides a streamlined web hosting experience with clear pricing and an excellent refund policy. Their plans begin at $2.59 per month for one website with a shared starter plan. This plan includes daily backups and unlimited bandwidth. It also includes a no-code WordPress website builder, so you can roll out a new website without breaking the bank. Moreover, their ticketed support is always responsive.
Features
There are a number of important features to look for in shared hosting. These include uptime, loading speed and customer support. You should also consider whether the company offers a money-back guarantee and free trials. In addition, the service should have good reviews from third parties.
The best shared web hosting providers offer a variety of valuable extras, including a domain name, website builder, CDN and SSL certificates. These extras can help you save time and money and ensure that your website is secure. Some companies even include a one-click installer that allows you to install a wide range of scripts.
The most important feature of shared hosting is its uptime and loading speed. However, it is important to remember that your site’s performance may be affected by other websites on the same server. This is especially true if those sites have a lot of traffic. If this is the case, you may want to switch to VPS or dedicated hosting.
Uptime
Shared hosting is a popular option for new website owners, as it is inexpensive and offers fast speeds. However, it can also be a risky choice for sites that experience heavy traffic or need dedicated servers. This is because websites on a shared server can cause slowdowns for other sites. Additionally, shared hosting does not allow websites to have a dedicated IP address, which can lead to security issues.
A good web host will offer a high uptime, and should upgrade or replace faulty equipment before affecting your site. This ensures that your website is available to visitors at all times. In addition, a good provider will keep your site up to date with software updates and patches.
Most providers use hard disk drives (HDDs) for their servers, but the best companies offer solid-state drives (SSD). SSD technology is much faster than HDDs and can significantly improve website performance. The top-rated hosts will offer a free migration to an SSD server, and will include SSL certificates with each plan.
Security
While all web hosting services include some sort of security features, the best secure shared hosts do more than just provide a basic SSL and 2FA. They also include a robust set of tools that prevent hacker attacks from exploiting your website or the data on it, and protect you from malware and spam.
For example, SiteGround’s security measures include account isolation, which uses a custom server setup to prevent user accounts from interacting with each other. They also offer automatic backups, 2-factor authentication for account access, and Patchman, an enhanced security tool that monitors your account for vulnerabilities.
Another good example is Nexcess, which offers PCI DSS compliance, meaning your website will be safe enough to accept online credit card payments. It also provides fast servers, a free SSL certificate, and 24/7 use of HackScan. Their pricing is a little more expensive than some other hosts, but their security measures make them worth it.