Types Of Hosting Packages Compared

In a previous post we took a look at what makes a good web host, today we’ll discuss the actual hosting packages.

Shared Hosting

Pros

• Cheap!!!
• Web host manages system updates, etc.
• Generally offer good amounts of disk space and bandwidth
• Automatic system snapshots
• Many hosts let you host multiple domains with one package

Cons

• Overselling (most hosts do that)
• If another high traffic blog uses a lot of the server, your site will run slower
• System resource usage can be an issue during the Digg-effect
• Not very good tech support at most hosts
• Most shared servers suck (mostly because of overselling)
• No control over system software
• Not very secure, if one person’s script screws up it can mess up the whole system

Semi-Dedicated Hosting

Pros

• Only 1 to 20 people per server
• A little more control over system software
• Customers’ sites may be in a virtualized environment, so if another site runs slow your site will still run fast
• More security (less people per server means less chance of a script screwup)
• Most hosts offer the same support for semi-dedicated customers as they do for dedicated customers
• Many hosts let you host multiple domains with one package

Cons

• More expensive than shared
• Many times the best shared hosting package will offer better features (disk space, bandwidth, etc) than semi-dedicated packages

Dedicated Hosting

Pros

• Great support
• You have full control over your entire system
• You have your own server
• Can handle the Digg and Slashdot effects very well
• Lots of disk space, and lots of bandwidth
• Great security
• Multiple sites with one server package

Cons

• Very expensive (usually in the $150+ per month range)
• You can mess up your own system pretty easily
• Many hosts don’t offer automatic 24 hour snapshots of the system, you usually have to ask for it
• You have to be fairly tech savvy to pick a good server

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