If you’re new to web development or online business, you might hear a lot of fancy terms for hosting being tossed around. That can be confusing and overwhelming, even if you’re not new to the internets. When I became a web developer years ago, I learned a ton about different hosting options and the pros and cons of each. I share this information with my web development clients all the time, and now I’m sharing what I know about shared hosting vs. cloud hosting here on my blog as well.
What is shared hosting?
Basically, it’s called ‘shared’ hosting because you’re sharing a server with other websites. This makes hosting much cheaper, which is super helpful when you’re starting out. Shared hosting is like having roommates, because you’re sharing resources and space. And that helps save money!
Plus, because you have roommates who are sharing your hosting with you, everything is much easier. No worries about bad landlords who take your money and don’t fix things when dealing with hosting! Most reputable companies are very reliable and take care of all of the annoying things for you. (I’ve been working with SiteGround shared hosting for years, and never had even the tiniest issue.)
But shared hosting can have some disadvantages as well, of course, just like with having roommates. You’re sharing resources, so that means that things can be a little slower sometimes.
What is cloud hosting?
Cloud hosting is when you have your own server, dedicated entirely to you and your website. It’s sometimes also referred to as ‘dedicated hosting’ for that reason. This makes your site faster and more reliable, because you’re no longer sharing. As you might guess, however, it’s also way more expensive.
If your site grows and you have a lot of traffic, it might be time to consider switching to cloud hosting. But if you’re just starting out, good old shared hosting is a great option!
Shared Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting Summary
TL;DR: Shared hosting is cheaper because you’re sharing resources with other websites. Cloud hosting is better for larger sites because it’s dedicated to only your website and therefore faster and more expensive.
I highly recommend getting started with SiteGround shared hosting and switching to cloud if/ when you outgrow that.
Check out this article for more information on hosting options.
