When choosing a web hosting package there are essentially (excluding virtual private server hosting) two options: shared and dedicated hosting. As you would guess, each of these hosting solutions is fundamentally different and therefore you choice of either will have a significant impact over the running of your website.
With a shared hosting service your “server space” is shared by many users. This is significant because the more users on a server, the less space (i.e. webspace and bandwidth) they will be able to enjoy. This means that if you are expecting large volumes of traffic or wish to host a sophisticated page, shared hosting may not be completely reliable for your needs.
The alternative is to opt for a dedicated server, which is where your page does not have to compete with other sites for server “real estate.” This makes a dedicated solution absolutely perfect for sites that expect large amounts of traffic, or for users that wish to enjoy a heightened level of control or reliability.
As dedicated and shared hosting is considerably different, it is appropriate for different kinds of website owners. For example, due to the affordability of a shared solution, it is often the package of choice for sole users, beginners or smaller operations. By contrast, for larger organizations, such as online merchants, where reliability and control is imperative, a dedicated solution is often preferred.