Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Limiting factors on a shared hosting type

[cyberderf]

What limiting factors should clients most look into when they shop for a type of hosting, starting with shared ? When these factors are importants, a client would at least go for VPS.

I listed some of them I know (for a shared/reseller hosting type) :

- Fact that you can only host websites (no backup, no specialties hosting)
- No control over what's installer on the server
- Can go to slow to fast, depends on which sites you're hosted with
- Account can be suspended in case of traffic surge
- No SSH most of the time

Did I missed a couple ?

[VPSGuys]

- Fact that you can only host websites (no backup, no specialties hosting)
- No control over what's installer on the server
- Can go to slow to fast, depends on which sites you're hosted with
- Account can be suspended in case of traffic surge
- No SSH most of the time

This really depends on the host in my opinion.
Backups - Some host allow 2 backups to be on your account.
Extras - Some host will install scripts if its popular.
Speed - Thats the server including MySQl apache and the site.
Traffic- some host just charge overages and tag it to the bill.
SSH - umm, not on a shared enviroment.
Price - Shared is cheaper then other hosting types.
availability - Shared is Wide spread and allot of people use it for 1-2 sites.


This is just my look on shared hosting.

[cyberderf]

Thanks VPSGUYS for your input. However I hope my thread didn't sound like a bashing on shared hosting. I know it's well suited for some. I was just looking for key requirements.. when you have them on your shopping you better look for another hosting -kind of- solution.

[VPSGuys]

Oh no mate We all have something right for us, shared, Resellers, VPS, Master Resellers, Dedicated, Cloud hosting, Colocation. Its all a trial and error type of thing, Swapping companies, and more. Time will tell what you need and you will come to the start of it all Shared Hosting and move from it to resellers, then Master Reseller or VPS then to a Dedicated server then maybe cloud hosting or Colocation depending on your needs.

[RescueHst]

A lot of times its a difference between price and then also experience. With VPS you need to do most of the work just as if it is a dedicated server. While yes it is nice that you can install your own software, configure it the way you want as long as you know what you are doing. If you dont then you could loose everything.

[Nick Joyce]

[QUOTE=cyberderf;6440484]

- Fact that you can only host websites (no backup, no specialties hosting)

All the shared hosting that I know will take daily, weekly and monthly backup. Also some will be keeping the backup for last 7 days. Anyway they will be surely keeping the backup of the accounts anyhow.


- No control over what's installer n the server

The customer will not be able make any server wide installation, but they can install 3rd party software in your account. For more control over server, we need to pay more and go for a VPS or dedicated server.

- Can go to slow to fast, depends on which sites you're hosted with

Yea, that is very true.

- Account can be suspended in case of traffic surge

I think they will send mails before suspending. The customer can purchase more disk space or delete the unwanted files from their acount, before their account got suspend.

- No SSH most of the time

Some host will not provide SSH because of security reasons, I know the hosting who provide SSH access without any restriction. Also for some host, if we request for SSH they will be providing for couple of hours and after that they will disable it, its because of security.

Now a days I know the hosting companies allow remote IIS access for their customers.

/QUOTE]

[praveenkv1988]

One important thing is the performance. There are many overselling companies, that doesn't provide performance.

I recommend you to choose a company that doesn't oversell.

[foobic]

I'd say there are only two factors that really limit shared hosting in favour of VPS: control and isolation.

Originally Posted by cyberderf

- Fact that you can only host websites (no backup, no specialties hosting)

Some shared hosts will allow you to use the disk space for whatever you want, but only if they're charging a realistic price for it (ie. not huge overseller / unlimited hosts). For speciality hosting I'd agree - you don't have the control to set up much that's special on shared.

- No control over what's installer on the server

Agreed. This should be the primary reason to go VPS or dedicated.

- Can go to slow to fast, depends on which sites you're hosted with

Same for VPS.

- Account can be suspended in case of traffic surge

Same for VPS. Although a small VPS will most likely just crash under the load of a heavy traffic surge...

- No SSH most of the time

It varies. Many shared hosts (including some highly-regarded ones) do provide SSH access (jailed shell). If you need a full shell or root, VPS does become a necessity - again this is about control.

Did I missed a couple ?

Security. Even with the best management, on shared you're sharing the server with tens / hundreds of other users. VPS gives you better isolation from your neighbours.

Finally (not a limitation, rather the opposite): Peace of mind. On shared you only need to manage your own account. VPS places more responsibility on you to manage the server and keep it secure. Even on a "fully-managed" VPS, many providers will only do maintenance and updates on your instructions.