If you’re a small business owner, you may wonder whether cloud hosting or shared hosting is the best option for your website.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand the critical differences between these two types of hosting so that you can make an informed decision.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting is a service that provides users with secure access to remote servers to store and manage their websites.
With cloud hosting, customers can share resources such as storage space, bandwidth, and processing power on an extensive network of servers.
Cloud hosting allows businesses to scale their websites quickly and easily. It also offers reliability, scalability, and security that shared hosting cannot match.
Shared hosting is a web service where many websites are hosted on the same server.
The customer pays for a portion of the server’s resources, such as storage space, bandwidth, and processing power.
This type of hosting is the most cost-effective option for small businesses, but it does not have the same level of reliability or scalability as cloud hosting.
Cloud Hosting Example
The following is an example of cloud hosting. A customer has a website that is hosted on multiple servers in the cloud.
The customer can access any of these servers to manage their website, and they have access to additional resources such as storage space, bandwidth, and processing power.
This allows them to quickly and easily scale their website as needed.
The following is an example of shared hosting. A customer has a website hosted on one server with multiple other websites.
The customer pays for a portion of the server’s resources, such as storage space and bandwidth, but they do not have access to additional resources, such as processing power.
This makes it difficult for them to quickly and easily scale their website.
Advantages of Cloud Hosting
There are several benefits to cloud hosting. These include:
Reliability: With cloud hosting, your website will be hosted on multiple servers. If one server fails or experiences an outage, the other servers can take over and keep your website running.
Scalability: Cloud hosting allows you to scale your website quickly and easily as your business grows. You don’t have to worry about investing in more hardware or upgrading servers when you need more resources.
Security: Cloud hosting offers the highest level of security. Your data is stored across multiple servers, so there is no single point of failure.
Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting can be more expensive than shared hosting and may not be suitable for all businesses.
Other disadvantages include:
Price: While cloud hosting is more scalable and reliable than shared hosting, it can be more expensive.
Complexity: Cloud hosting is not as straightforward as shared hosting. It requires a deeper understanding of technology and may require the help of an IT professional to set up and maintain.
Cost Effective: Shared hosting is the most cost-effective option for small business owners starting. It is also easy to set up and maintain and doesn’t require any technical knowledge.
Easy to Use: Shared hosting is easy to use and doesn’t require any technical knowledge. You can easily set up and manage your website without having to hire an IT professional.
Reliability: Shared hosting does not offer the same level of reliability as cloud hosting, as your website will be hosted on a single server. Your website will be unavailable if this server experiences an outage or fails.
Scalability: Shared hosting is not as scalable as cloud hosting and can limit how much you can scale your website. You may need to invest in more hardware or upgrade servers to increase your website’s resources.
Security: Shared hosting can be less secure than cloud hosting, as your data is stored on a single server, and there is no redundancy in case of an outage. This can leave your website vulnerable to malicious attacks and data loss.
The cost of cloud hosting can vary depending on the size and complexity of your website.
Generally speaking, cloud hosting is more expensive than shared hosting.
However, the difference in cost can be offset by the reliability, scalability, and security that cloud hosting provides.
Pricing Example:
For example, a website hosted on Cloud Hosting may cost $50 per month, while the same website hosted on Shared Hosting may only cost less than $10 per month.
Cloudways Cloud Hosting
RAM: 4 GB
Processor: 2 Core
Storage: 80 GB
Bandwidth: 4 TB
Price: $50/Month
Godaddy Shared Hosting
Storage: 75 GB
Price: $12.99
Cloud hosting offers a higher performance level than shared hosting due to its ability to scale resources quickly and easily.
Cloud hosting is more reliable because it stores data on multiple servers. If one server fails, the other can take over and keep your website running.
Shared hosting is not as reliable as it stores data on a single server. Your website will be unavailable if this server experiences an outage or fails.
Cloud hosting offers a higher level of security than shared hosting.
Your data is stored on multiple servers, so there is no single point of failure. In addition, cloud hosting offers advanced security features such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to protect your website from malicious attacks.
Shared hosting does not offer the same level of security as cloud hosting. Your data is stored on a single server, and there is no redundancy in case of an outage. This can leave your website vulnerable to malicious attacks and data loss.
Best Cloud Hosting Services
Cloud hosting has become increasingly popular due to its scalability, affordability, and reliability.
There are a variety of cloud hosting platforms available on the market today, but some stand out from the rest for their exceptional performance.
Hostinger
Hostinger is one of the top three cloud hosting providers out there. It offers reliable services at an affordable price, with plans starting as low as $0.99/month. The platform offers a variety of features such as unlimited bandwidth, free SSL certificates and domain names, and one-click installations for popular applications like WordPress. Hostinger also provides 24/7 customer support if you need help setting up or managing your cloud hosting service.
Dreamhost
Dreamhost is another popular cloud hosting platform. It offers reliable and secure services backed by a 100% uptime guarantee. Plans start as low as $2.59/month, with features such as unlimited websites, storage, bandwidth, and email accounts. Dreamhost also has 24/7 customer support available so you can get help whenever you need it.
Cloudways
In our review of Cloudways we found that it stands out for its impressive scalability and ability to manage multiple servers, as well as its easy-to-use interface. Plans start at $10/month, with features such as auto backups, unlimited apps and websites, and 24/7 customer support.
Overall, these three cloud hosting providers are the best on the market for their reliability, affordability and scalability. So if you’re looking for an effective cloud hosting solution, look no further than Hostinger, Dreamhost or Cloudways. You won’t be disappointed!
Shared hosting is often the most affordable and practical choice for websites with small to medium traffic. It allows users to share a single server and resources, which can be significantly cheaper than dedicated servers or cloud hosting solutions.
While several shared hosting services are available, three leading providers have emerged as some of the best: Godaddy, HostGator, and Inmotion Hosting.
Godaddy
Godaddy is one of the most recognizable web hosting companies in the world. It offers shared hosting solutions at various levels, from basic plans to managed WordPress hosting. All plans come with unlimited storage and bandwidth, 24/7 support, free domain name registration, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
HostGator
HostGator is another leading shared host that offers a wide range of services, from basic hosting plans to VPS and dedicated servers. It also provides features like automated backups, site-building tools, and integrated security measures. HostGator also has an easy-to-use control panel for customers to manage their hosting plans.
Inmotion Hosting
Inmotion is an excellent choice for reliable, secure, shared hosting solutions. It offers reliable uptime, fast loading speeds, and robust security measures. In addition, it has a user-friendly dashboard that makes setting up domains and websites easy, along with 24/7 support from knowledgeable and experienced staff.
Here Are Some Other Hosting Comparisons to Consider
If you enjoyed this article, we’ve got several other great reads on cloud hosting.
Cloud Servers Vs. Physical Servers
Cloud Hosting Vs. Dedicated Hosting
Conclusion
Cloud hosting and shared hosting both have their advantages and disadvantages, but for businesses looking for scalability, reliability, and security, cloud hosting is the better option.
However, if cost is a major concern for you, then shared hosting may be the best choice. It is more affordable and easier to set up than cloud hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your needs. If you are looking for scalability, reliability and security, then cloud hosting is the better option. However, if cost is a major concern, then shared hosting may be the right choice for you.
The main difference between cloud hosting and dedicated hosting is that cloud hosting stores data on multiple servers while dedicated hosting stores data on a single server. Cloud hosting offers more scalability, reliability, and security than dedicated hosting.
The five types of hosting are shared hosting, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated server hosting, and managed WordPress hosting. Each type of hosting has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.
Cloud Hosting is usually more expensive than shared hosting. However, the cost of cloud hosting can vary depending on the provider and the resources needed.
Yes, some cloud hosting providers offer a free tier with limited features. However, these services usually come with restrictions such as limited storage space, bandwidth, and domains.
The main disadvantage of cloud based hosting is that it can be more expensive than other types of hosting. In addition, there may be security risks associated with storing data on multiple servers, and the website may become unavailable if one server fails.
The best type of hosting depends on your needs. Cloud hosting is the better option if you are looking for scalability, reliability, and security. However, if cost is a significant concern, then shared hosting may be the right choice.
