Shared Hosting vs. Dedicated Hosting: Which One is Right for you?

Consider the following factors when comparing the pros and cons of shared hosting and dedicated hosting when setting up your website.

Cost

Dedicated hosting will always be significantly costlier than shared hosting. Shared hosting is the best option if you have a limited budget. On the other hand, consider dedicated hosting if you can spend more on your site’s hosting plan.

However, there is no point going in for dedicated hosting if you are setting up a small website consisting of half a dozen static pages. Conversely, saving money by choosing shared hosting for an ecommerce site or an online portal attracting tens of thousands of visitors will not be viable either. Hence, do not focus on cost alone when taking a decision.

Control over Server Resources

Dedicated hosting allows you to utilize server hard disk space and bandwidth without sharing with any other website. Such a plan offers complete control over all aspects of the server’s performance—server-side scripts, security updates, server programs, website response time, and website’s features and performance. Depending on your needs, they could also be used as dedicated backup servers, meaning they will continually update your files and different information to keep them safe

Shared hosting is ideal if you have standard server space and bandwidth requirements and if you require standard features, as far as security, performance, and functionality are concerned.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

A dedicated hosting plan will require a full-time administrator to oversee each and every aspect of the server’s performance—internal climate of your server room, maintenance of hardware, upgrading scripts and programs and so on. Running a site and managing a server can be an impossibly hectic task, unless you possess the requisite technical skills and knowledge.

Shared hosting is ideal if you are not bothered about the intricacies of managing a server. In such a plan, the service provider shall focus on proper server management and you can focus on running your website.

Long Term Perspective

Do you see a significant increase in website traffic or a significant change in the way you interact with the visitors to your site in the near future? Is your run-of-the-mill website likely to end up as a portal where visitors submit credit card details or allow social media interactions? If yes, then spending more on dedicated hosting today may prove very beneficial in the long run.

However, if you don’t foresee any change in your website’s functioning even if it becomes very popular amongst web surfers, then shared hosting will help avoid unnecessary expenditure and complications.

The final choice between shared and dedicated hosting depends on your individual requirements. Make sure you consider all essential factors and parameters before taking