Shared Web Hosting

A shared web hosting service or virtual hosting service or derive host refers to a web hosting service where many websites reside on one web server connected to the Internet. Each site sits on its own partition, or section/place on the server to keep it separate from other sites. This is generally the most economical option for hosting as many people share the overall cost of server maintenance.

The hosting service must include system administration since it is shared by many users; this is a benefit for users who do not want to deal with it, but a hindrance to power users who want more control. In general shared hosting will be inappropriate for users who require extensive software development outside what the hosting provider supports. But on the other hand, shared hosting is cheaper than other types of hosting such as dedicated server hosting.

Shared hosting typically uses a web-based control panel system, such as cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk, InterWorx, Helm, H-sphere, Ensim, Sphera or one of many other control panel products. Most of the large hosting companies use their own custom developed control panel. In shared hosting, the provider is generally responsible for managing servers, installing server software, security updates, technical support, and other aspects of the service. Most servers are based on the Linux operating system and LAMP (software bundle), which is driven by the low cost of open source software. But some providers offer Microsoft Windows-based or FreeBSD-based solutions. For example, the Plesk and Ensim control panels are both available for two operating systems, Linux and Windows. Versions for either OS have very similar interfaces and functionality, with the exception of OS-specific differences (for example, ASP.NET or Microsoft SQL Server support under Windows, and typically greater security and stability under Linux).

Shared web hosting can be accomplished in two ways: name-based and IP-based, although some control panels allow a mix of name-based and IP-based on the one server.

Cheap Web Hosting

When it comes to obtaining a web host, a cheap service is always a good place to start. Besides, cheap service doesn’t necessarily equal bad service. However, you must be aware that a particular host may seem affordable in the beginning, but actually include hidden fees that end up costing more than a service you perceived to be expensive. Before worrying about fees and signing up with any web hosting service is important to analyze your individual needs. You should never jump into a plan simply because the service is cheap. If you don’t know what it takes to make your website flourish, you may find yourself paying for features that serve no purpose.

It is a good idea to set standards of your own when looking for cheap web hosting; standards the provider should be able to meet. Be sure to carefully examine all available plans and take note of the features being offered. If you do not fully comprehend what is being offered, feel free to contact the provider for more details. Tell them about your ideas for graphics, an approximate number of web pages, navigation themes and so forth. This will help them determine how much bandwidth and disk storage you’ll need, ultimately determining which web hosting plan is right for you.

The next step you should take is to conduct a bit of research on the various web hosting provider. There features may appear attractive, but keep in mind that everything isn’t always what it seems. The same service you see today just might not be in existence tomorrow. During your research, look for reviews on the company in question along with feedback from current and previous clients. You should also make yourself familiar with the provider’s uptime guarantee. Even if a site performs great most of the time, experiencing technical difficulties every now and then is something that could negatively effect your business. Since things do happen, no web hosting provider can truly guarantee an uptime of 100%. A reliable host, will however, offer an uptime of 99.9% which is highly desirable.