I have been asked about the differences between hosting types available online.  In this article I will discuss the pros and cons of various hosting types: Shared Hosting, Managed Hosting, and Dedicated Hosting.

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Shared Hosting

A shared hosting account is placed on a web server that hosts several other clients’ websites.  The server resources (such as processors, memory, internet connectivity, etc.) are shared among all clients’ websites on that server.  Accounts are typically only restricted by the amount of hard drive space and bandwidth they are allowed to use.  Each client or site owner can upload anything they want to their own account, including illegal materials (until they are caught), poorly written web programs, and server hacking exploits.  These problems are normal with all shared hosting accounts as that server is ‘filling up’ with new clients.  The good news with shared hosting is that the longer you stay on the same server, the less ‘problem clients’ there are as they are removed over time by the hosting company. When that server is full, the company moves on to filling up the next server.

Shared Hosting Pros

• Price is usually very low (typically $5 to $10 per month per site)

Shared Hosting Cons

• There is a small learning curve to most control panels
• You have to manage all aspects of your account
  • You configure your account settings (email, databases, DNS, etc)
  • You are responsible for your own backups
  • You run the risk of ‘hosing’ your account with improper settings
• Other clients can potentially bring the server down with poorly written scripts
• Security can be an issue (client uploaded web scripts that undermine security)
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Managed Hosting

This is what I offer my clients.  This type of hosting is sometimes referred to as ‘Managed Shared Hosting’. Managed hosting is similar to shared hosting in that a single server can have multiple websites and clients on it.  However, there is no chance that a single client can bring the server down or slow down other clients’ websites due to random uploading of poorly written scripts that misuse server resources.  The server owner / admin determines which scripts can run and which can’t.  This eliminates ‘resource hogging’ by a single website since the server owner / admin is the only one creating the website content and scripting.  This assumes, of course, the admin is knowledgeable and experienced … like me   (wink wink). * I have recently found a lot of ‘managed hosting’ companies resell space on shared servers with other resellers. This can produce the same problems as normal shared hosting accounts (another reseller on the same server may allow any client to upload any scripts). Ask questions and do your homework before choosing a host.

Managed Hosting Pros

• No control panels to learn (an email or phone call takes care of everything)
• All aspects of your account are fully managed by professionals
• All website updates are handled quickly by a professional developer
• Random clients cannot upload potentially harmful scripts

Managed Hosting Cons

• Price tends to be a little higher (typically $20 or more per month per site)
• Do-it-yourself types and tinkerers are going to want more hands-on control
  (Clients only have direct access to the server via Webmail)
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Dedicated Hosting

Also called a Dedicated Server, dedicated hosting is an entire server dedicated to serving your website and only your website.  There are no other clients’ websites to interfere with yours or use any resources on the server.  This is ideal for websites with extremely heavy bandwidth needs (hundreds of visitors every hour), very large file serving websites (you have thousands of users downloading files from your website), or you just don’t like to share (this would be a silly and wasteful reason to use a dedicated server).

Dedicated Hosting Pros

• Your site gets all of the server’s resources (it is the only site on the server)
• You get full root access to the server (this can be a con for most people – see below)

Dedicated Hosting Cons

• Very expensive (typically $150 or more per month per server)
• You are responsible for any special licensing costs (server software)
• You get full root access to the server (this can be bad if you are not experienced)
• You are responsible for managing your server (see below)
• Full management is usually an ‘addon’ service and is very costly