If you’re building a website for the first time, you have likely come across the term Shared Web Hosting.
It’s one of the most popular types of hosting used by beginners, bloggers, small businesses, and personal websites.
But what is shared web hosting services? How does it work? Is it secure? Is it good for SEO? And when should you move to a better hosting plan?
Also, you will first learn what shared web hosting services are.
This blog will not contain unwanted information and will give a straight answer to every question you have in mind.
Let’s understand everything in detail.
Shared web hosting refers to the practice of hosting multiple websites on a single server. All these websites use the same resources of that server, such as:
- CPU (processing power)
- RAM (memory)
- Disk storage
- Bandwidth
Your website is stored in a folder on this server, and your hosting company manages the server setup, maintenance, and security.
You don’t need to do anything technical. You just buy the hosting plan, connect your domain, and start uploading your website files or installing WordPress.
This is why shared hosting is a beginner-friendly and low-cost website hosting option.
Shared hosting is a good option if:
- You are building your first website.
- Your website doesn’t get a lot of traffic (less than 10,000 visitors per month).
- You’re starting a blog, portfolio, or small business website.
- You are looking for the most affordable hosting option.
Shared hosting is not recommended if:
- You expect very high traffic.
- You are running an e-commerce website with lots of daily visitors.
- Your site handles sensitive customer data.
I also started my first website with shared hosting, so I don’t worry too much about it.
Here is a simple explanation of how shared hosting works.
- A hosting company sets up one server.
- They install software and divide the server into different user accounts.
- Each user (like you) gets access to a small part of the server to host their website.
- All the users share the same resources of the server.
This means if too many websites on the same server get high traffic at the same time, your website may slow down.
But for most beginners, this is not a problem, especially if you choose a reliable hosting company.
Let’s look at the four benefits(pros) of shared hosting.
1. Affordable Price
Shared hosting is very cheap. You can get started for as low as ₹150 to ₹300 per month.
You can also save more by using coupon codes and discounts. Here are a few:
- Bluehost Coupon Code
- Hostinger Coupon Code
- HostGator Coupon
- A2 Hosting Coupon Code
- InMotion Coupon
- WP Engine Coupon Code
- DreamHost Coupon
Get a massive discount on these shared hosting services.
2. Easy to Set Up
Most hosting companies offer one-click installation of WordPress or other CMS. You don’t need technical knowledge.
3. No Server Maintenance Required
You don’t have to worry about updating the server, installing security patches, or managing backups. The hosting provider handles it all.
4. Free SSL and Email
Most shared hosting plans come with a free SSL certificate (for HTTPS) and a custom email address
Here are four limitations(cons) you should be aware of.
1. Slower Performance
Since you are sharing the server with other users, your site may become slow if others use too many resources.
2. Limited Customization
You cannot change server settings or install custom software. You have to work within the limits of the hosting company.
3. Less Security
If one of the websites on the server is hacked, there’s a small chance it could affect your website as well.
4. Not Ideal for High-Traffic Sites
Shared hosting is not suitable for websites that receive a high volume of visitors or require high performance.
Shared hosting can be suitable for SEO if your website loads quickly, the server uptime is high (above 99.9%), and the hosting provider has a good reputation.
However, it can harm your SEO if your website crashes during traffic spikes, the server is slow or unreliable, or the IP address is blacklisted due to other sites on the same server.
Yes, shared hosting can be secure, but it also depends on the provider.
Most good hosting companies offer a free SSL certificate, basic firewalls, malware scanning, and daily backups.
But remember that you are on a shared server. To ensure extra safety, follow these steps.
- Always keep your WordPress plugins and themes up to date.
- Use strong passwords.
- Utilize security plugins such as Wordfence or iThemes Security.
If your website deals with customer data, consider upgrading to a VPS or cloud hosting for better security.
For cloud hosting, I recommend Cloudways. It is one of the best options, and you can get a discount using a Cloudways promo code.
You should consider upgrading to a higher hosting plan when your website traffic consistently exceeds 10,000 monthly visits.
Other things you consider when upgrading:
- Your site still loads slowly, even after optimization.
- You need more control, better performance, or custom configurations.
- You want better protection for user data or transactions.
In such cases, consider moving to VPS, cloud hosting, or managed WordPress hosting.
Here is a quick comparison to know more about the hosting types.
| Hosting Types | Best For | Cost | Performance | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Beginners and blogs site | Low | Medium | Low |
| VPS Hosting | Growing websites | Medium | High | High |
| Cloud Hosting | Business and scaling websites | Medium | Very High | High |
| Dedicated Server | Big applications site | High | Very High | Full |
Real-World Use Case (Beginner’s Story)
Let’s say you’re launching a blog about fitness recipes. You install WordPress on a Hostinger shared plan using their one-click setup.
You write 3–4 blogs a week, get around 2,000 monthly visits, and your hosting cost is under ₹200/month.
That’s a solid deal. You’re online, fast, and not burning a hole in your wallet.
Later, as your blog traffic grows, you can upgrade to a VPS or managed WordPress plan.
Want to save even more on hosting? Browse our best web hosting deals before you sign up.
Shared hosting is the go-to choice for bloggers just starting out, small business websites, portfolio sites, and non-techies launching a site for the first time.
Why? Because it’s:
- Cheap (often $2–$5/month with deals)
- Easy to use (one-click WordPress installs)
- No technical maintenance (hosting companies handle it)
If you’re new to the web world, shared hosting suits you well, a safe place to learn and grow. Hostinger is most popular among beginners. Here are the benefits of Hostinger(will be helpful) if you plan to host it on your website.
Some of the most popular shared hosting services and pricing in 2025.
| Hosting Provides | Starting Price(Monthly) | Free Domain | Free SSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | $2.99 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluehost | $2.95 | Yes | Yes |
| HostGator | $2.99 | Yes | Yes |
| A2 Hosting | $2.99 | – | Yes |
| InMotion | $2.49 | Yes | Yes |
| WP Engine | $20 | – | Yes |
| DreamHost | $4.95 | Yes | Yes |
Cost is one of the big reasons that it is popular among beginners and gives the best performance.
Black Friday web hosting deals are one of the best times to get this hosting with massive discounts.
Conclusion
If you are just starting out, shared hosting is the best choice. It’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require any technical skills.
However, as your website grows, you may want to upgrade to a more advanced plan that offers better speed, security, and increased control.
Before choosing a plan, make sure to:
- Use coupon codes to save money.
- Compare prices and features.
- Check honest user reviews.
If you have any doubts regarding this guide, drop them in the comments!
