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With shared hosting, there will be multiple sites using the resources of a single server. Usually, you'll be partitioned a certain amount of server resources your site can utilize. Typically, shared hosting plans are some of the most affordable plans out there.
When you have a shared web hosting plan, you'll have access to a certain portion of server resources, defined by the hosting company you end up choosing. You'll typically have access to the server environment through an integrated control panel.
Shared hosting is also very beginner friendly, as server maintenance and any other necessary tasks are managed by the hosting company. The only thing you're responsible for is your own website.

With shared hosting, multiple sites share the same hardware and software resources of a single physical server. Typically, a shared server has pre-installed scripts and software that every site on the server must utilize.
Think of it this way. Say there's an apartment building that has dozens of apartments. Each apartment is a different website. But, the building's resources like utilities and other apartment benefits are shared by each individual.

In a shared hosting environment, you're sharing a server with dozens, hundreds, or even more websites. Compare this to dedicated hosting where you have an entire server all to yourself.
VPS hosting does share some similarities to shared hosting. For example, VPS hosting utilizes a single server, but that single server is then partitioned out into multiple virtual server environments. These server environments act in a similar manner to a dedicated hosting environment.

Shared hosting is the perfect fit for beginners who are just getting started online. Since shared hosting is typically geared towards beginners the setup process is usually very intuitive and the host handles the more complex tasks. By choosing a shared host you'll also enjoy other benefits including:

  • Cost savings as shared hosting is the cheapest form of hosting available
  • Shared hosting can usually be easily upgraded to higher packages
  • No technical skills required
  • Built-in cPanel integration, so site management is a breeze

Shared hosting isn't the perfect hosting environment for every kind of website owner. Sure, it's cheap, has high uptime, and is very easy to manage, but it still has some drawbacks, such as:

  • The loading speed can be much slower than dedicated server environments
  • There's a chance your site's performance can be affected by other sites sharing the same server
  • If your site's traffic levels increase you may see a lag in performance
  • You won't be able to customize your server environment for improved performance

Shared hosting is geared towards beginners. If this is your first time building a website and you'd like to host your own site but outsource a lot of the complex technical tasks, then shared hosting is a great choice.
If you have a high-traffic website or a very large website, then you'll want to look into other hosting options, like dedicated servers, VPS hosting, cloud server hosting, or even WordPress-specific hosting.
Hopefully, the answers above have helped you better understand what shared hosting actually is, and clear up any questions related to shared hosting.

VPS hosting utilizes something called a Virtual Private Server. Essentially, this style of hosting mimics a dedicated server, but it utilizes a shared server environment.
Your physical servers will be housed in a data center. And a VPS is the portioned part of this physical server that has its own operating system, disc space, and bandwidth. Your VPS offers extensive server customization options, similar to a dedicated server, but at the fraction of the cost.

VPS hosting is technically a combination between both shared hosting and dedicated hosting.
With dedicated servers, you rent out an entire server, which can get pretty expensive fast. With shared hosting, you end up renting a portion of a server that's shared with other users. Shared hosting is a solid option for beginners, as it's generally much cheaper and provides you with the necessary resources to get your site started.
VPS uses a single server and that server is partitioned out into different virtualized server environments. This differs from shared hosting because with shared hosting you have limits on the amount of CPU and memory available, as well as other software restrictions. VPS usually offer baseline resources that you're guaranteed, plus additional resources available at a moments notice should your site experience a traffic spike.

VPS hosting is similar to using virtualized OS software. For example, let's say you have a MacBook Pro, but you really need to use the Window OS for a certain program to run. Instead of buying a separate Windows PC you could use software like VirtualBox or VMware. This software will allow you to run a virtualized version of the Windows OS on your Mac machine.
The same can be said for VPS. On the same single physical server, you can run several different virtualized servers. Each of these virtual servers will act as if they're separate dedicated servers.

If you require a unique hosting setup, or you have a very large and high-traffic site, then you've probably thought about getting your own dedicated server. But, there's only one problem. Dedicated servers are expensive! This is where VPS comes to the rescue.
VPS can be totally customized to your liking and give you much more control over your hosting environment when compared to a shared server. VPS hosting can also grow with your site as your traffic levels and resource needs increase.
VPS hosting is also generally more secure than shared hosting environments, as you'll be the only site using the set server resources.

With managed VPS hosting your hosting provider will be responsible for configuring your server, doing routine maintenance, keeping your environment secure, and more. The actual services included with managed VPS depend upon the hosting provider you choose.
With unmanaged VPS you'll have a lot less hand-holding and generally be responsible for general server admin tasks, maintenance, security, and more. With unmanaged VPS hosting, you'll need to have some technical chops to be able to run your server efficiently.

With VPS hosting you have much more control over the software that your server is running. Typically, the only limits placed upon the software you can run are the operating system the server runs on and your total memory allocation.

Dedicated hosting is a single web hosting environment that's dedicated to the needs of a single website. This is typically for websites that are large, receive a high volume of traffic, or require a unique hosting setup.
In dedicated hosting clients get complete control over their server environment. This allows for complete server customization and is ideal for larger organizations.

With dedicated server hosting, you're renting an entire physical server. This provides you with unparalleled customization and control over your server environment. Plus, you'll have access to higher levels of server resources.
With a dedicated server, you'll be able to customize your CPU type, operating system, and the total amount of RAM and storage available.

First, dedicated server environments are geared towards more technical users. Managing your own server, and keeping it efficient and secure does take a lot of work.
As a result, dedicated server hosting is typically used by very high traffic websites, complex applications, or anything else that requires a high-level of security.
Dedicated hosting is also much more expensive than other hosting options, so it's typically reserved for companies or individuals who have profitable online ventures.

With dedicated hosting, you have access to the entire server. With shared hosting, you're simply renting a portion of that same server.
You can think of it in terms of an apartment building. If you choose a shared hosting environment you're renting a single apartment. While with a dedicated server you'd be renting the entire building, and keeping every room open for your own needs. You can see why dedicated hosting is typically a much more expensive option.
Instead of sharing resources with hundreds of other websites on the same server you'll have access to the entirety of the server's resources for your own website.

With unmanaged dedicated hosting, you'll essentially be renting a blank server, and customizing it to your liking. You'll be in charge of technical tasks like server maintenance, security, software updates, and everything else required to keep your server secure and running.
With managed dedicated hosting, you'll typically have a team of experts that will help to setup and manage your dedicated server. You'll usually have to do some technical tasks yourself, but that list will be much smaller than if you were running an unmanaged dedicated server.

Dedicated hosting can be very advantageous for certain websites and applications. First of all dedicated servers are one of the most secure hosting options. The simple fact that you won't be sharing a server with other sites that might be vulnerable to hacking is a big plus.
Dedicated servers also tend to have higher uptime, as there are less hardware and software failures that may result in your site being taken down.
Dedicated servers are also optimized for performance and uniquely structured to address your unique website needs. Your site will be able to utilize the full resources of the server without having to share them or compete for them, with other websites.
Finally, dedicated servers also provide you with scalability to meet the changing needs of your website. This style of hosting environment has larger resource allocation abilities, plus additional servers can be brought on if you exceed those resources.

Dedicated hosting isn't the best fit for every kind of website owner. For starters, they're much more technical to manage. Sometimes even requiring an entire team. If you're less technical, but still require a dedicated server, there are managed dedicated server hosting packages that will reduce the number of technical tasks you must perform.
Another disadvantage is the cost. Dedicated server hosting environments will be the most expensive option available to you. So, if you're just starting out, or have a low budget for hosting, then there are better options out there.

Domain is an identifier of a web-page in the Internet. Firms and companies can be found in the internet by their domain names. E.g. the domain name www.verncehost.co.ke serves to find VernceHost registrar in the net.

Your KE domain name is registered as soon as you pay for it and it is active within 20 minutes. It does not take more than 24 hrs for it to become live.

  • A domain name gives you exclusivity.
    Without your domain, you don’t have much of choice. Your email and web addresses will be based upon the name of your host or Internet service provider, such as username@ymy-ISP-provider.co.ke and http://www.my-ISP-provider.co.ke/username. By having your domain name is like owning your virtual real estate. Such exclusivity can help build name recognition for you and your company.
  • A domain name contributes to promoting your organization and brand name.
    You can advertise your website instead of someone else’s when you’re sending emails as your domain name will be in the email address, for example, admin@mycomany.co.ke is helping to promote mycompany.co.ke while mycompany@my-ISP-provider.co.ke is contributing to promote and brand my-ISP-provider.co.ke rather than your own web presence.
  • It gives your business or organisation credibility
    As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and in business, first impressions count. Having your domain name projects a professional image of you and your company, typically associated with large enterprises. In addition it tends to say to others that you’re a serious business person, operating an established business, in a professional manner.
    In addition, a company with a free email address such as mycompany2003@myfree-email-provider.co.ke for business purposes projects an image of not being serious and makes the recipient of email doubtful as to the authenticity of the company.
  • A domain gives your website and emails mobility
    If you set up a website without owning your domain name, you end up using the domain name of your web host by default, http://www.my-ISP-provider.co.ke/username. Such a web address is not mobile; you can’t take it with you if you ever switch to another web host.
    Furthermore, ownership of your domain name gives you the option of moving your website to another host without losing your web address.

A domain is a website's name, how to find the website is the URL, and a website is what people see and interact with when they get there. Buying a domain means that you have purchased a name for your site but you also need to build the site.

Here are the steps for registering a domain:

  1. Choose your registrar or web hosting service. Remember to check their hosting policies and pricing
  2. Search for a domain name
  3. Fill out the forms
  4. Pay for your domain
  5. Link domain and website
  6. Park your domain if you don't have a website