Unlimited Web Hosting – A Good idea?
Posted by AndyN
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Most entry level web hosting is sold on an unlimited basis. This unlimited web hosting can cover the following aspects:
- Disk Space – The space needed to store the website(s) and associated media.
- Bandwidth – The bandwidth used by visitors to the website(s).
- Domains Hosted – The number of separate domain names that can be used in one hosting account.
- Sub-Domains – The number of sub-domains that can be created.
- Email Accounts – The number of email accounts that can be set-up.
- FTP Accounts – The number of FTP accounts that can be created within the package.
- Databases – the number of databases that can be maintained (each WordPress site requires its own database).
Hosts will often restrict one aspect in their basic packages (such as number of domains allowed or databases you can create) so that there is step up to a more expensive package.
These packages are based on shared hosting where multiple users are hosted on a physical web server and share the resources of that server. The good hosts will carefully monitor activity to ensure that one user does not use too much of the resources available, to the detriment of the other users of that server. If this does happen they will suggest to that user that they upgrade to their own server.
It is therefore clear that in this case “Unlimited” does not mean infinite. It effectively means that there is no set limit but both parties have to be reasonable about usage.
Working this way does have advantages for both parties:
- For users it keeps things simple and avoids any worries about, for example, how much bandwidth might be needed.
- For hosts it sounds good from a sales point of view not to set any arbitrary limits and they know from experience that where limits are set most users get nowhere near them.
So what are the limitations. Well most Terms Of Use are a bit vague on this. You will not be allowed to use the unlimited disk space to store files unconnected with your web site and there may be limits on the number of files you can store, the size of databases etc.. However, in general you are reliant on the host being reasonable bearing in mind that these services are intended for personal users and small business web sites.
Unlimited Web Hosting is a marketing term which cannot be taken literally, however that is not to say that there is anything wrong with these packages. For most users they offer a simple way to get a site online and the chances are they you will not experience any problems and will be happy with the service. You just need to be aware that if your site gets busy you may have to upgrade.
You might also be interested in our article on CloudFlare which offers a means of reducing the load on your web server whilst also improving the service for users in other parts of the world.
