As of 2024, shared hosting continues to be the top hosting choice, with 37.64% of the market. However, it’s not without its downsides, one of the primary ones being that each website on the server has a limited number of resources available. Websites’ RAM, CPU, and bandwidth resources are constrained because there are many of them on the same server. If one website gets a lot of traffic or otherwise overutilizes resources, the others suffer. Their performance deteriorates, which compromises the user experience. According to data from Forrester, visitors to a site that focuses on superior user experience are over 400% more likely to convert than visitors to a poorly designed site.
This article looks into the features low-budget shared hosting lacks as well as those that continue to compel users to choose this type of hosting.
Dedicated IP address
A major disadvantage of shared hosting is the lack of an individual IP address. All of the websites on the server have the same IP address, causing issues with SEO and email deliverability. A website that gets flagged for spam or harmful activities can harm others’ reputations. If you share a server with a harmful site, your emails could be marked as spam as well.
Customization opportunities
Limited customization is another downside of shared hosting. The types of scripts or software you can run might be limited, and there are restrictions on server configurations, too. This lack of flexibility makes optimizing the server environment or making advanced adjustments impossible, which is a drawback for sites requiring specific adaptations or technical settings.
Customization is crucial in terms of usability and responsiveness. The bounce rate risk rises by 123% for every 10 seconds it takes your site to load, Google data shows.
What are some good features of shared hosting?
If you’re only looking for the lowest price point, you’ll find too many features are missing from the respective hosting plan. Instead, seeking a balance between price and performance is a better bet. As you look for an efficient yet cheap shared hosting plan, you will find web hosting providers offering free SSL certificates. Regardless of your hosting package, you’ll need an SSL certificate sooner or later as Google and internet users value safe websites more. It can also help your site stand out, which it desperately needs to. There are currently more than 1.8 billion websites online, and three new ones launch every second, which comes to 252,000 new websites a day.
Reliable support
You need a technical support team to assist with any website issues that arise. While an intuitive control panel will definitely make things easier, support is crucial to consider, especially if this is your first website and especially by phone. A recent survey showed that more than 76% of all internet users preferred the traditional medium of phone to reach customer support. More than half of customers across age groups contact support by phone, according to Zendesk, making it the most commonly used support channel.
Before you commit to a hosting plan, read reviews of the provider to see what type of support they offer.
Money-back guarantee
This is a critical feature to look for in shared hosting. By offering a money-back guarantee, the company is demonstrating honesty and flexibility. If you aren’t happy with the service for whatever reason, you can stop them anytime, ideally within a month.
Support for multiple websites
If you have a few blogs or small businesses, you can find a shared hosting plan that doesn’t limit you to a single site. Most shared packages provide enough computing resources to host at least two sites with a modest number of visitors.
Recap
- Low-budget tiers lack a dedicated IP address and customization opportunities
- You can find reliable support and a free SSL certificate
- Look for a money-back guarantee and support for multiple websites
