Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is Web hosting in which the service provider serves space for multiple Web sites, each having its own Internet domain name or several domains, on a single Web server. Shared hosting is available in several configurations from a simple web hosting to complex hosting with programming, database and multimedia support and higher volumes of traffic. Shared hosting is the entry level of professional hosting, a step above unsupported, free hosting.

Shared hosting comes with risks created by your many neighbors. A shared hosting environment can include hundreds of accounts and each account may be capable of crashing the server with a run away process or through some other problem that the host's security didn't account for.

Shared hosting is an inexpensive way for businesses to create a Web presence. Most hosting services will include many features as the cost of the software or licenses are spread over several hundred shared hosting clients. Shared hosting will allow you to get a full feature site operation but it will not be sufficient for high traffic, bandwidth, or email lists with large memberships.