Best providers, use cases, and step-by-step guide to getting started with shared hosting.
Shared hosting is a cost-effective solution where multiple websites share server resources. It's perfect for beginners due to its affordability and ease of use, but has limitations in performance and scalability. Now let's explore when to choose it and how to get started.
Shared hosting isn't right for every website, but it's perfect for specific situations. Here's when shared hosting makes the most sense:
Blogs, portfolios, small business sites, and hobby websites with moderate traffic.
First websites, learning HTML/CSS, testing WordPress themes, or experimenting with web development.
When you need a website but have limited funds—perfect for startups and side projects.
First WordPress site, simple blogs, or small business websites using popular themes.
Event websites, short-term campaigns, or projects with defined end dates.
Local businesses, consultants, or service providers who need an online presence.
Not all shared hosting providers are created equal. Here are our top recommendations based on performance, reliability, and value for money:
Best Overall Value
WordPress Recommended
Best Performance
Ready to get your website online with shared hosting? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Select from our recommended providers above based on your specific needs and budget. Consider factors like:
Most providers offer multiple shared hosting tiers. Start with the basic plan—you can always upgrade later. You'll also need to:
Once your hosting is active, you can start building your website:
With your website live, focus on these important ongoing tasks:
Start simple and grow gradually. Don't overwhelm yourself with advanced features initially—focus on getting comfortable with the basics of managing your website and hosting account.
Use this checklist to determine if shared hosting is right for your project and to help you choose the best provider:
If you checked 4+ boxes: Shared hosting is likely perfect for your needs!
Pro tip: Don't just look at the cheapest option—consider the value and features included.
Most shared hosting plans allow multiple websites, but check your specific plan limits. Basic plans might allow 1 website, while higher-tier plans often offer unlimited websites. However, remember that all your sites share the same resources, so having many sites can impact performance.
When your website gets more traffic or needs more resources, you can upgrade to VPS hosting or dedicated hosting. Most providers make this transition seamless with migration assistance. Signs you might need to upgrade include slow loading times, frequent downtime, or exceeding resource limits.
Shared hosting is generally secure for small businesses and personal websites. Reputable providers implement security measures like firewalls, malware scanning, and regular updates. However, for e-commerce or sites handling sensitive data, consider upgrading to VPS or dedicated hosting for additional security layers.
Most reputable hosting providers offer money-back guarantees, typically 30 days. This gives you time to test the service and see if it meets your needs. Always read the refund policy before signing up, as some conditions may apply (like domain registration fees being non-refundable).
No technical knowledge is required! Shared hosting is designed for beginners. Most providers offer user-friendly control panels (like cPanel), one-click installations for popular applications like WordPress, and 24/7 support to help with any issues. You can build and manage a website without coding skills.
WordPress hosting is often just shared hosting optimized for WordPress sites. It includes WordPress pre-installed, automatic updates, and WordPress-specific support. Regular shared hosting is more flexible—you can install any website platform, but you'll need to set up WordPress manually if that's what you want to use.
You now have all the knowledge you need to choose and set up shared hosting for your website.
Remember: shared hosting is perfect for beginners, but don't be afraid to upgrade as your website grows. The most important thing is to get started!
Domain & Hosting Specialist
Sarah is a passionate domain and hosting specialist with a hobby of collecting interesting domain names. With over 8 years of experience helping beginners navigate the technical aspects of web hosting, Sarah specializes in making complex hosting concepts accessible through clear, jargon-free explanations. When not writing guides, you'll find Sarah exploring new domain extensions and testing hosting configurations for optimal beginner experiences.