Hosting comes in many forms. For most business sites, the choice that matters is between shared hosting and managed hosting.
Shared vs managed
Shared hosting
Multiple websites sit on one server and share its resources. Low cost, simple to set up. Performance is inconsistent: when other sites spike, yours can slow down or become unstable. Resources are limited, and security is often weaker. Not recommended for any site that needs to be fast and reliable.
Managed hosting
The provider maintains the server, handles security, updates, backups, and performance tuning. You get server optimisation, security monitoring, automated backups, software updates, SSL management, and expert support. Your site runs on infrastructure built for sites like yours—faster load times, fewer errors, smoother updates.
Other types in brief
- VPS (virtual private server)
A dedicated slice of a server. Better than shared, but you often manage it yourself. Only worth it if you have the technical capacity or someone managing it for you.
- Dedicated hosting
A whole physical server for your site. Powerful but expensive and overkill for most businesses.
- Cloud hosting
Your site runs across multiple connected servers. Typically fast, scalable, and stable. Many managed offerings are built on cloud infrastructure.
Choosing the right type
For a business website that needs to be fast, secure, and reliable, managed hosting is the sensible default. If you’re comparing options, start with How to choose the right hosting.
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