What is the difference between a shared server and a dedicated server?

Shared Server

Shared hosting involves small-scale users uploading their websites onto a single server that many other users may use as well. This is often the choice of amateurs, independents, and small businesses and organizations. Shared hosting is ideal for sites with low requirements of bandwidth and disk space. It works best when users don’t expect a lot of incoming traffic.

In shared hosting, maintenance, software installation, and security updates are the sole responsibility of the designated web hosts. They use state-of-the-art software that helps craft powerful control panels for the overall management of the server. The advantage of this arrangement is low cost and lack of accountability on the part of the user in maintaining successful control over hosting.

Dedicated Server

Dedicated web hosting is when a website operates on it’s own server. This server is individual to them and can allow for any OS, security, updates, and high volumes of traffic. It is suitable when a user expects lots of visitors, so it is mainly for big businesses and other large entities. It has much more bandwidth then a shared server so it’s capable of handling high amounts of traffic much easier.

Dedicated server security can be customized. Dedicated servers allow the user to have total control along with complete responsibility in running their website efficiently and without fail. Due to the demand for responsibility dedicated servers require proper management from a person with the relevant IT support skills.

When you’re just starting out you are probably fine with a hosted server. But as your website and/or enterprise grows so will the demand for a dedicated server. Consider the upgrade a sign of success. Make sure the added responsibility doesn’t result in a lack of responsibility and resulting financial faults.