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To establish a presence online—be it for business or personal purposes—you’ll need web hosting. Shared hosting serves as a great starting point in the web hosting domain. These services are designed to be lightweight, providing limited resources necessary for hosting your website (and they represent the most affordable hosting options available, aside from free hosting alternatives). PCMag is here to simplify your search. With over a decade of experience in testing web hosting services, we frequently update our reviews as features are added or removed. Our Editors’ Choice award-winning A2 Hosting stands out for its WordPress hosting services and provides a money-back guarantee should uptime fall below 99.9%. Meanwhile, InMotion Hosting offers free marketing tools along with unlimited monthly data transfers, making it an excellent option for small businesses. We’ve curated a list of 10 outstanding web hosting services. Continue reading to discover our top recommendations, along with important considerations when searching for shared web hosting.
In contrast to a dedicated hosting server that supports a single website, a shared web hosting server accommodates multiple sites. The benefit of shared hosting is its affordability; it’s inexpensive and can even be free at times. Typically, you can host a site on a shared server for under $10 per month. On the contrary, dedicated hosting can demand hundreds of dollars monthly.
However, one downside of shared hosting is the risk of potential instability, as your site shares CPU resources with other sites on the server. If another site on your shared server experiences a surge in traffic, it could result in slow-loading pages—or none at all. Nevertheless, shared web hosting is a cost-effective method to get your site up and running.
It’s important to recognize that not all shared hosting packages are created the same way. While every web hosting provider allows you to save files on their servers, they vary significantly in terms of monthly data transfers, storage space, and additional features. The payment options available, whether monthly or annual, can also differ quite a bit. Typically, shared web hosts present multiple packages that reflect their entry-level, middle-tier, and premium offerings.
Of course, opting for a higher-tier service will come at a greater cost, but you’ll benefit from enhanced features. Most web hosts will also provide discounts if you commit to a multi-month agreement.
Many shared hosting providers boast unlimited monthly data transfers and storage, so you’ll need to consider other aspects to determine the best service for your business. However, if you are depending on “unlimited” offerings, it’s wise to review the fine print to avoid any surprises. Ensure that your understanding of unlimited aligns with what the hosting provider offers.
Another consideration is the operating system you’ll require. Do you need Windows or Linux servers? It’s advisable to explore your options. Generally speaking, Linux is the standard operating system offered by most hosts, but some may provide the alternative of either Linux or Windows hosting. If your requirements include specific server-side applications that depend on Windows, such as SQL Server or a custom-developed application using .NET, you need to verify that your chosen web host supports Windows hosting. Yet, there’s no need to feel daunted by the prospect of a Linux host. For further insights, you can visit Linux vs. Windows: How to Pick the Best Server OS for Your Website.
In today’s landscape, most web hosting providers supply a graphical user interface or a control panel to enhance server management and website administration. Rather than engaging with a command line, you’ll find yourself clicking on easily recognizable icons.
While exploring a web host’s website, you may notice that certain specifications are not readily available. For example, many web hosts do not disclose the amount of RAM included in their shared hosting plans. In such cases, it’s reasonable to assume that the total RAM is under 1GB. A select few web hosting services provide premium shared offerings with 1GB of RAM or slightly more. If you are in search of reliable performance under strain without investing a fortune monthly, consider exploring virtual private server (VPS) hosting. Opting for a VPS plan grants your future website ample computational resources.
It’s also essential to select a web host that provides accessible customer support around the clock. While forums, knowledge bases, and instructional materials can be helpful tools, speaking directly with a representative (or at least via web chat) can make a significant difference.
Conversely, if your goal is to start your own web hosting business without the typical headaches, consider looking into reseller hosting.
Another type of shared web hosting is WordPress hosting. This option is ideal for those who wish to create their websites using the widely-used WordPress content management system (CMS) but prefer to avoid the technical aspects such as updating applications, plug-ins, and the CMS itself, as well as handling automatic backups. Managed WordPress plans commonly include security measures to safeguard the CMS against malicious threats.
Some web hosting providers offer managed WordPress as just one of their many services, while others focus exclusively on WordPress hosting without providing other hosting options.
While the features mentioned earlier significantly enhance the web hosting experience, none is as crucial as site uptime. If your website is offline, potential clients or customers won’t be able to locate you or access your offerings. This downtime can lead to financial losses.
No matter how attractive a service’s pricing, specifications, and features may be, it won’t rank highly overall if it lacks reliable uptime. Therefore, we assess each web host’s uptime guarantee, allowing you to have a clear understanding of what to anticipate before you commit.
Beginning your website journey can be challenging, but our guide offers a valuable starting point. Are you ready to choose an excellent shared web hosting service? Click on the links to read our comprehensive reviews of the top services in this category.
If you’re new to web hosting, don’t forget to explore our guides, including How to Create a Website and How to Register a Domain Name for Your Website. Additionally, you may find The Best Courses for Learning How to Build Websites to be a helpful starting resource.