Web hosting platforms provide servers that websites use to house their data like text, images, codes, etc., on the world wide web. Because different websites function differently, there are numerous types of web hosting services best suited to host each one.
In this article, we will focus on two specific types: shared hosting and reseller hosting. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, which is why we will provide an in-depth analysis of both web hosting types that will aid you in selecting the best for your website.
This article will also compare and evaluate some salient topics every website owner should consider before selecting any web hosting plan. Topics such as performance, cost, resources, complexity, setup, scalability, and control, will be evaluated based on their importance and how they work with Shared and Reseller hosting.
What is Reseller Hosting?
As the name implies, reseller hosting involves reselling web hosting to third-party sites. This web hosting plan is typically used by business owners or web developers who already have several clients they provide similar services to. Reseller Hosting allows them to buy wholesale web hosting from major companies and then resell to small business owners.
Of course, each of the smaller websites gets individual resources and a private cPanel or control dashboard that allows them to manage basic functions. They are also offered different plans depending on their needs and specifications.
What is Shared Hosting?
Shared hosting is the simplest and most common type of web hosting. It allows multiple websites to share resources on a single server. It is ideal for new small businesses or those that don’t require a whole server. The selling point of shared hosting is that it’s highly cost-effective, as resources like RAM and CPU are divided between the websites.
Shared hosting is a suitable web hosting type to consider if you have a blog or a small online business that doesn’t have heavy traffic or require a high bandwidth. It is also the best option if you are not tech-inclined because it is relatively easy to set up.
Reseller Hosting Vs Shared Hosting – Pros & Cons
Deciding which web hosting type to select would require you to consider your kind of business, the size, needs and, more importantly, your technical know-how.
Pros and Cons of Reseller Hosting
S/N | Pros of Reseller Hosting | Cons of Reseller Hosting |
| 1 | Control over DNS zones and server settings | More expensive than shared hosting |
| 2 | Billing system is dependent on you | Requires you to have multiple clients |
| 3 | Allows for multiple IP addresses or SSL certificates. | Limited access to server |
| 4 | You can have multiple accounts for individual cPanel using Web Host Manager (WHM) | |
| 5 | You can use Private Name servers, and Anonymous name servers | |
| 6 | Web host companies take care of maintenance and all technical issues related to the server for you |
Pros and cons of Shared Hosting
| S/N | Pros of Shared Hosting | Cons of Shared Hosting |
| 1 | Most basic and affordable plan | You get to share resources with other websites |
| 2 | Ideal for small businesses and rookie website owners | Inconvenient and performance is out of your control |
| 3 | User-friendly and easy to navigate | This plan is not scalable. |
| 4 | Requires little technical background |
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting Overview Table
In this section, we analyzed and compared different important factors, each of which needs to be considered before choosing any web hosting plan.
| Topics | Reseller hosting | Shared hosting |
| Resources | Dedicated resources | Shared resources |
| Performance | Performance is dependent on web host provider | Performance is dependent on resources |
| Security | Very secure | Not very secure |
| Customization | Allows for third party website customization | Limited freedom for customization |
| Management | Website is managed by business owner | Website is managed by web host provider |
| Cost | Expensive | Affordable |
| Complexity | Ideal for tech savvy folks | Requires little or no tech knowledge |
| Setup | Setup is done by the business owner | Web host service provider takes care of setup |
| Control | Business owner has control | Control is limited to cPanel |
| Configuration | Access to WHM tool which allows for OS configuration | Very limited configuration |
| Stability | Allows for scalability | Scalability is limited |
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Resources
Resources in web hosting refer to all the features associated with space and performance on your website. They include the OS, bandwidth, RAM, and CPU, all of which are usually divided among multiple websites in a shared hosting plan. The service provider allocates a portion of these resources to each web account on the server. Reseller Hosting differs in that, through a Web Host Manager (WHM), multiple websites can be managed individually, and each can receive its own set of allotted resources separate from others.
How Resources Work with Reseller Hosting
If you’re a freelance web developer or startup owner, reseller hosting allows you to include web hosting as part of your services. Depending on the number of clients you have, you can purchase large amounts of resources from a web host company and divide them into smaller accounts for each client.
How Resources Work with Shared Hosting
Not many businesses require large spaces or bandwidth. Many entry-level online businesses simply need a small RAM and bandwidth to carry out their activities, and that’s where shared hosting comes in. Resources on a single server are shared among multiple websites, each getting access to its individual management panel.
Winner- Shared Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Performance
A website’s performance is typically dependent on the amount of resources it has compared to the traffic or visits it receives. Small business owners opt for shared hosting because it’s less expensive and just enough resources to meet the lighter requirements of their websites. However, because resources are shared on the same server with other small websites, the websites sometimes encounter problems like slow loading or low uptime.
How Performance Works with Reseller Hosting
Businesses that run reseller hosting need to be tech-savvy because the business owner has to be in charge of setting up the third party websites, managing them and ensuring smooth running and fast speed.
How Performance Works with Shared Hosting
For shared hosting, web performance is usually out of the control of any individual, as all the individual websites on that server play a part. This is why purchasing your web hosting from a reputable web host service provider that won’t overpopulate your server is important.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Security
One critical factor to consider when selecting your web hosting type is security. The web host should provide measures such as constant security updates, regular monitoring for malicious attacks, and periodic security checks.
How Security works with Reseller Hosting
Regarding security, reseller hosting offers more for multiple websites than shared hosting. It allows you to create multiple cPanel accounts for individual sites, affording each third party website their resources, user account and even username and password.
How Security works with Shared Hosting
One downside of shared hosting is that risks can also be shared. If a site gets compromised on the server, other sites instantly become vulnerable. The best solution is to choose a web service provider that performs routine security checks, replaces security patches, and installs updates periodically.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Customization
Customization in web hosting refers to the ease with which you can modify or alter the interface of your website. This includes changing the design, style, theme or logo based on your preferences. If this is essential to your brand, you may want to consider going for reseller hosting as it offers more flexibility in this regard.
How Customization works with Reseller Hosting
Most reseller hosting packages come with Web Host Manager (WHM), which allows for website customization.
How Customization works with Shared Hosting
Shared hosting offers limited control, so you can’t customize your website as you see fit.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Management
Web hosting management depends on the type of web hosting package you are using. For shared hosting, the web provider is in charge of managing the server and takes care of site maintenance like data backup and security. On the flip side, the business owner does more maintenance when it comes to reseller hosting.
How Management works with Reseller Hosting
Under the reseller hosting package, the Web Host Manager tool provides you with root access to manage all the third party websites under your account.
How Management works with Shared Hosting
The web service provider mainly carries out management in shared hosting. They have root access to the server and help monitor and maintain your website from the backend.
Winner- Shared Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Cost
Web hosting types vary in price depending on their different features and services. Shared hosting is the most common and most affordable web hosting type.
It is typically for beginners or small businesses and doesn’t require so many resources. Reseller hosting offers more features and more control and is more costly than shared hosting. You should decide between both depending on your budget and business needs.
How Cost works with Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting packages come with more access, features and control, which is why they are much more expensive than shared hosting.
How Cost works with Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is relatively cheap and requires very little from you in terms of maintenance.
Winner – Shared Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Complexity
With new technological advances coming out more frequently, websites are becoming more complex. Web hosting companies are doing a lot to provide flexible and efficient services that offer more access and control to clients, but there’s only so much non-tech inclined business owners can do. While Reseller hosting plans require an IT background for maximum use, shared hosting does not.
How Complexity Works With Reseller Hosting
Traditionally, those who opt for reseller hosting are usually web designers, web developers or tech entrepreneurs—basically, those who can handle the complexity of running a website.
How Complexity works with Shared Hosting
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to own a website. Shared hosting takes care of the complex and technical aspect of running a website while you, the business owner, can simply focus on growing your business.
Winner – Shared Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Setup
When you purchase a website domain, the web hosting provider helps with your site’s initial set-up and installation. If you’re using shared hosting, you can simply get your website up and running once it’s ready. On the other hand, the business owner is in charge of setting up the website and all for the third party clients in the reseller hosting plan.
How Setup Works with Reseller Hosting
From OS configuration to website setup to updates and installation, the reseller is responsible for setting up for clients they’ll be reselling to.
How Setup works with Shared Hosting
Under this plan, the setup is carried out by the web host provider not the reseller. The host provider is responsible for OS configuration, software updates, and security checks.
Winner – Shared Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Control
Control is a huge part of web hosting. Although both types of web hosting have some control, shared hosting is quite limited in the applications that can be installed and changes that can be made to the site. Reseller hosting has the advantage of the Web Hosting Manager tool, which provides more management access and admin permission to the account owner.
How Control Works with Reseller Hosting
Control is one of the biggest advantages reseller hosting has over shared hosting. The WHM tool allows the business owner to perform various functions like managing multiple third party client accounts, generating individual cPanel for each client, reducing bandwidth usage, installing and setting up SSL certificates, and so much more.
How Control works with Shared Hosting
Shared hosting provides you with limited control. You, however, get a cPanel that allows you to access various domain management options, email setup, and software installation.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Configuration
Similar to customization, configuration refers to your ability to make software changes to your server as you like. Shared hosting doesn’t offer enough control for you to make such changes. But on the other hand, reseller hosting utilizes the WHM tool in making necessary alterations.
How Configuration Works with Reseller Hosting
Reseller hosting involves reselling web hosting to third party websites. This plan comes with a certain level of control and root access that allows the business owner to make changes and configurations to the Operating System.
How Configuration works with Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is mainly for small businesses that simply want online space to carry out their relatively light business activities. Features like configuration are not part of the package.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Reseller Vs Shared Hosting: Scalability
The capacity for your resources to grow is what is referred to as scalability. In the event of your business booming and experiencing more traffic, you will require more space and larger bandwidth to cater to the increase in website visitors. A scalable plan can help increase your resources so the performance of your website doesn’t suffer.
How Scalability Works with Reseller Hosting
Most reseller hosting providers allow for stability if your business expands and needs more online space.
How Scalability Works with Shared Hosting
Scalability for shared hosting is limited to the kind of shared hosting plan you have. That is, the amount of storage or bandwidth given to you by the web host provider. In the event of your business outgrowing the stipulated storage space, you will need to consider a bigger web hosting type.
Winner – Reseller Hosting
Conclusion
The decision on whether to go for reseller hosting or shared hosting ultimately boils down to the kind of business you want to run and the level of control you need. Shared hosting is ideal for rookie website owners or small businesses that simply need space on the internet. But reseller hosting is the way to go if you’re looking to host multiple websites or begin offering web hosting services.
