Last updated on 8 Aug 2010
Shared Web Hosting vs Dedicated Servers - Which Should You Choose? What is Shared Hosting?

A shared web hosting service refers to a web hosting service where many web sites (typically a few hundred websites) are hosted on a single web server which is publicly connected to the Internet. Each website account has its own login credentials and has a dedicated space which is kept separate from the other websites hosted on the same server. This is typically the most economical means when one chooses a web hosting service, as the cost of the server and its maintenance are shared by many people.

Naturally, since this server is shared by many users, the hosting service must have a system administrator to manage the server and no shared hosting user may have access to the "root" server functionality. Usually a web-based control panel is provided for ease of administration but this presents a hindrance to users who require more control over the management of their websites. Additionally, you may not be able to install any software at will as it runs the risk of adversely affecting the overall performance of the entire server, especially when the software is badly written. Other users hosted on the same server may thus be affected as well. Therefore, while shared hosting is a very economical and useful entry-level web hosting service, it is not suitable for "power users" who require a high degree of customization for their websites.