What to Consider When Choosing a Shared Hosting Package

Shared hosting is the most affordable way to launch your website online. Despite being less expensive than VPS, dedicated server, and cloud hosting, it’s crucial not to compromise on quality. Unfortunately, many people don’t fully understand what to look for in a shared hosting package and may end up with subpar service. To assist you, we’ve created this straightforward guide.

Operating System: Linux or Windows

A common misconception is that if you use Windows on your personal computer, you should use it for your website too. In reality, most websites are hosted on Linux servers. If you’re planning to use platforms like WordPress, Magento, or Joomla, Linux is typically the best choice.

Before deciding between Linux or Windows, verify the software you intend to use. Often, the software will dictate the operating system you need.

How Many Websites Will You Host?

While many individuals only need to manage a single website, others, such as online marketers, may require multiple sites. If this is your situation, remember that some shared hosting plans limit the number of websites you can host, often by restricting the number of databases you can create. For instance, at HostingInIndia, our Basic plan allows for ten websites, but for a slightly higher fee, our Advanced plan offers unlimited sites.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Consider how much space you’ll need for your website’s software, files, and images. Most websites don’t require a significant amount of storage. Compared to software on your computer, website programs are relatively small, and web pages are usually compact too. The largest files you’ll likely need are images and videos.

For those running multiple websites or eCommerce sites with numerous images, more storage might be necessary. For smaller websites, 2GB of storage is usually sufficient. However, packages offering up to 20GB are available, accommodating multiple sites and larger data volumes.

Be cautious of companies that limit the number of files you can store, as this can indirectly restrict your usable space.

Always Opt for Unmetered Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data your website sends and receives. If you have a monthly bandwidth quota, remember that every page view or interaction on your site uses some bandwidth. While each action might consume only a small amount, these can accumulate quickly if you have a lot of visitors.

To prevent reaching your bandwidth limit and having your site go offline, choose a hosting package with unmetered bandwidth. This way, you can have as many visitors as you like without worry. At HostingInIndia, all our shared hosting packages offer unmetered bandwidth.

Choose High Performance

Several factors affect your website’s speed, including the number of plugins and page sizes. However, one critical factor is the type of web server hosting your site. Ensure your host uses the latest hardware to provide the computing resources your site needs for smooth operation. This helps your site load quickly on both computers and mobile devices.

A one-second delay in loading can lead to customer loss and a 7% reduction in sales. Thus, it’s crucial to carefully assess the technology employed by your host. At HostingInIndia, our shared hosting runs on the latest high-performance Dell PowerEdge hardware, which we regularly upgrade.

Look for an Easy-to-Use Admin Panel

Managing your website should be straightforward and intuitive, ideally through a control panel with a user-friendly interface. This makes tasks like setting up a new site, updating software, and managing your account simple and convenient.

The most user-friendly control panel for shared hosting is cPanel, widely used by web hosts. Ensure your web host is well-trained in using cPanel to effectively handle any issues. At HostingInIndia, we are not only a certified cPanel provider but also the leading company in cPanel expertise, topping the cPanel University leaderboard for exams taken and passed.

Security Features

The last thing you want is for your website to be hacked or infected. When choosing a shared hosting provider, select one that offers a range of security features to protect your site. Look for intrusion detection, firewalls, SSL certificates for encrypting payment data, email scanning, spam filtering, and remote backups to quickly restore your site if needed.

A Host That Stays Online

Once your website is live, you don’t want a host that frequently goes offline. This can damage your site’s reputation, lose visitors, and even result in lost sales. Look for a web host that guarantees your site will always be available. For shared hosting, ensure the provider offers uptime of 99.9% or more.

Additional Features

Beyond the features mentioned, a good web host should offer the following on your shared hosting account: unlimited email accounts using your website’s domain (e.g., me@mywebsite.com), 24/7 technical support via phone, email, and live chat, providing expert assistance whenever you need it, and a ‘no minimum’ contract length, so you’re not tied down if you decide to switch providers.

Conclusion

The quality of hosting you choose can make or break your website, so it’s essential to choose wisely and consider the benefits and features of each package. Hopefully, this article has highlighted the key features to look for when selecting shared hosting.

If you’re searching for shared hosting with all the recommended features, check out our range of shared cPanel packages at HostingInIndia.