For Newbs: All About Web Hosting

When it comes to web hosting you have several options with the main two being shared hosting and dedicated.

Shared hosting is called that because, similar to a college dormitory, you share server space with other website owners. The cost of the server is spread out amongst all the accounts on that server which makes it the cheapest of the two choices. For example if the cost of a server is $100 and there are ten accounts on that server, each account would pay $10 for a slice of space on that server. Of course, the more space you take the more you pay and the vice versa.

Additionally with shared hosting the server itself is maintained by the web hosting company so all you have to worry about is taking care of your website. This makes shared hosting the best option for people with little experience with computers or who don’t have the time to be fiddling with server settings.

But while shared hosting is a source of money saving goodness, it can also be a source of teeth gnashing and hair pulling. Just like the party animal in the dorm room next to you can make life hell for you, shared hosting has its own set of problems.