Today we’re going to talk about something really important if you’re thinking about starting a website—whether it’s a blog, an online business, or anything else. You’ve probably heard the term “web hosting” a lot, right? But what does it actually mean? And how do you know which hosting is right for you?
In this blog, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about shared hosting and how to choose the best hosting provider—especially from our perspective here in Bangladesh. I’ll explain things in easy words, just like I’m chatting with you over a cup of tea. So, let’s dive right in!
What is shared hosting?
Let’s say you’re opening a small shop in a big market. You’re not buying the entire market—you’re just renting a small space to start your business. Shared hosting is something like that. It’s one of the most common and affordable ways to host a website.
In shared hosting, many websites share the same server and its resources, like memory (RAM), storage, and processing power. Since the server is shared, the cost gets divided among all the users, which makes it cheaper for everyone. That’s why shared hosting is a popular choice for beginners, bloggers, small businesses, or anyone who doesn’t expect a huge number of website visitors at the beginning.
Now, this doesn’t mean your site will be slow or insecure. Good hosting providers manage everything well. But yes, if your website suddenly gets a lot of traffic, you might feel the limits because you’re sharing space with others.
In Bangladesh, a lot of people who are just starting with blogging, freelancing, or e-commerce go for shared hosting. It’s cost-effective and easy to manage. Most shared hosting comes with a control panel (like cPanel), where you can install WordPress, create emails, check stats, and more.
The only thing is, since it’s shared, you don’t have full control. You can’t install every software you want, and if another website on your server misbehaves or gets hacked, it might affect you too. But for starters? It’s a great choice.
How to choose a web hosting provider?
So, you’ve decided to go for shared hosting. That’s great! But now the big question—how do you choose the right hosting company? There are so many options out there, both local and international. Don’t worry, I’ll help you out. Here are the most important things to look for when choosing a hosting provider. I’ll explain each point in detail so you understand what to check and why it matters.
1. Uptime Guarantee
When your website is down, visitors can’t see it, and that’s not good at all. Uptime means the percentage of time your website stays live and accessible. Most good hosting providers will offer at least 99.9% uptime. That means your website should be available almost all the time.
Let me give you an example. Imagine you run an online clothing store. If your hosting goes down during Eid season, you could lose a lot of customers. That’s why it’s important to choose a hosting provider with a strong uptime guarantee. Check online reviews, ask friends, or test a trial plan if possible. Local hosting companies in Bangladesh are improving, but international companies often have better uptime records. However, some local providers like XeonBD, ExonHost, or WebHostBD also offer good uptime nowadays. Always double-check what you’re getting before making a decision.
2. Speed and Performance
A slow website is a big turn-off. Nobody likes waiting forever for a page to load. Google also ranks faster websites higher in search results. That’s why performance is super important.
When we talk about performance, we’re mainly looking at how quickly your website loads. Hosting plays a huge role here. If your hosting server is slow, no matter how beautiful your website is, it’ll feel like it’s stuck in traffic. Some hosting companies offer SSD storage, which is faster than traditional HDD. Look for this feature. Also, try to choose a provider that has data centers close to your target audience. If most of your visitors are from Bangladesh, having a server in Singapore or India could be faster than one in the USA.
3. Customer Support
Imagine your site suddenly stops working. You panic. Now, if the hosting provider has good customer support, they’ll fix it for you quickly. But if not? You’ll be stuck, losing traffic and trust.
Good hosting providers offer 24/7 support via live chat, email, or phone. Test them before buying. Send a message and see how fast and helpful they are. Some companies have Bangla-speaking support agents, which is a plus for many of us here. Especially if you’re not super tech-savvy, responsive support can be a lifesaver. Look at Facebook groups like “BD Hosting Guide” where people share their support experiences. Trust me, support quality can make or break your experience.
4. Security Features
Website security is no joke. Hackers don’t care if your site is big or small—they can attack anyone. So, your hosting must include strong security features.
Look for things like SSL certificates (some providers give these free), firewall protection, malware scanning, and regular backups. If anything goes wrong, you’ll want to restore your site quickly. Some hosting providers also offer automatic updates for WordPress, which helps keep your site secure. Make sure the hosting company has a good track record for keeping customer data safe. Especially if you’re running an online shop and dealing with payments, security is a top priority.
5. Pricing and Packages
We all want to save money, but don’t always go for the cheapest option. Cheap can sometimes mean low quality. Instead, look at what you’re getting for the price.
Compare what’s included in different packages. How much storage? How many websites can you host? Is email included? What about backups? Most shared hosting plans cost between ৳100 to ৳500 per month in Bangladesh. But always check the renewal cost—some companies offer low prices at first, but charge more later. Also, some international providers like Namecheap or Hostinger often give discounts for the first year, which is great for beginners.
6. Backup Options
Mistakes happen. Maybe you delete something by accident. Maybe a plugin messes up your site. This is where backups come in.
A good hosting provider will offer daily or weekly backups, and make it easy to restore your site. Without backups, you could lose everything. Some companies even let you download your own backup whenever you want. This feature brings peace of mind. Especially when you’ve worked hard on your site, you don’t want to lose it overnight. Even if the hosting plan costs a bit more, backup features are worth it.
7. Ease of Use (Control Panel)
If you’re not a tech person, using hosting should still feel easy. That’s why the control panel matters a lot.
Most hosting companies offer cPanel, which is user-friendly. You can install WordPress, manage emails, and do most tasks with just a few clicks. Some providers also offer their own custom dashboards, which can be simple and modern. Try a demo before buying if you can. If you’re new, make sure the hosting offers tutorials or video guides to help you get started. A smooth experience will save you a lot of frustration.
8. Scalability
Let’s say your website grows and you start getting lots of traffic. Can your hosting grow with you?
A good provider should offer upgrade options. You might start with shared hosting, but later you might need VPS or cloud hosting. Ask the company if you can easily move to a bigger plan when needed. You don’t want to switch hosting companies later—it’s a hassle. Especially for eCommerce or content-heavy sites, this flexibility is super important.
9. Domain and Email Features
Some hosting providers include a free domain with your hosting. That’s a nice bonus. Also, check if they offer free business email like info@yourwebsite.com.
Having a professional email makes your site look more trustworthy. Also, managing domain and hosting from one provider is easier. But don’t get locked in. Make sure you can transfer your domain later if you want. Also, check if they support DNS management and domain privacy.
10. Local Payment and Support
This is something many people in Bangladesh face—payment issues. Many international hosting providers accept only credit cards or PayPal, which not everyone has.
So, either choose a Bangladeshi hosting company that accepts bKash, Nagad, or Rocket, or go with an international provider that works with local resellers. For example, some companies let you pay in Taka through agents. Also, local support is a plus. When something goes wrong, being able to talk to someone who understands your language and problem makes a big difference.
Final verdict
Choosing the right hosting provider isn’t something you should rush. Think about your needs—are you starting a blog, an online shop, or something else? Shared hosting is a great starting point, especially if you’re new and want something budget-friendly. But not all hosting providers are the same.
Take your time to compare features like speed, uptime, support, and ease of use. And most importantly, make sure the hosting company is reliable. Whether you go for a local Bangladeshi provider or an international one, your hosting choice will affect your website’s success. I hope this guide helped clear things up.
If you have any questions or want me to review a specific hosting provider, just comment below. I’m always here to help. Happy website building!
