Shared Hosting: A cheap way to gain an online presence

Website hosting generally falls into two categories: shared and non-shared. Shared hosting will see one server used to host websites & email for multiple end users. An example of non-shared solution would be a cloud or dedicated server where resources and space are allocated to one single user.

Shared hosting is a standard type of web hosting ideal for users who are starting out looking for a low cost hosting solution.

When setting up a website you’ll need both a hosting package (to store your website, files and email) and a domain name. Domains are typically bought for 12 months at a time but can be taken for a period of up to 10 years. When you purchase a domain name you are effectively paying for the right to use that domain. If you decide not to renew at the end of the contract, any individual has the opportunity to then register it for themselves…

What are the advantages of shared hosting?

• Shared hosting is usually low cost, simple and easy to use and quick to set up.
• Once you have secured your domain name you can have content online within hours.
• With the number of free Content Management Systems (CMS) and Website Builders available you can create a professional-looking website whilst having no prior technical knowledge.
• No software to download – most CMSs are managed online.

What are the disadvantages of shared hosting?

• Resources available to you may be limited. In most cases this won’t be a problem but if you had a popular site with many concurrent visitors this may throw up issues.
• A shared hosting server hosts multiple clients. If one of those clients were to start sending out unsolicited / spam emails, it’s possible for the server’s IP address to become blacklisted. Most companies will monitor this daily and ensure their servers are never listed on blacklists but it is something to bear in mind when choosing a web host.

What is the cost of shared hosting?

At Clook we have shared hosting plans starting from £25 per year, .co.uk domains can be purchased at £6.99 meaning you can be online for as little as £32 per year. If you wanted to protect your website you can purchase an SSL Certificate for £20. A safe, secure website for approximately £50 per year can’t be grumbled at!