Shared web hosting, in the case of eCommerce, is like having your shop in a big shopping mall with lots of other stores. It's usually more affordable than having your own private server (like having your own big building for your store). It also often comes with useful features already set up, like shopping carts for your customers to use. Plus, the company that provides the shared hosting takes care of the technical stuff like security and updates, so you can focus on selling your products.
What is an eCommerce Store?
An eCommerce store, also known as an online store, is like a virtual shopping mall. It's a place on the internet where your customers can buy all sorts of things, just like you would in a physical store, but with more convenience. Imagine being able to shop for clothes, groceries, games, furniture or even pet supplies, without having to leave your house! This is the magic of an eCommerce store. Here are some notable features of these online stores:
- They're open 24/7, so you can shop any time you want.
- You can shop from anywhere with an internet connection, be it your home, school or a cafe.
- They often have more variety than physical stores because physical stores have branches.
- Most eCommerce stores deliver the goods you buy right to your doorstep.
Why Should You Opt for Shared Hosting for Your Online Store?
Shared web hosting is an excellent choice because it is budget-friendly, but most importantly, the maintenance of the server is managed by the hosting provider. So its affordability in terms of the services it provides and the monitoring of the resources is beyond comparison.
Affordable
Shared hosting is a cost-effective way to establish an online businesses presence. Given that costs are distributed among multiple users, this hosting option is significantly less expensive compared to dedicated or VPS hosting.
Secure
Despite being a shared platform, these hosting providers prioritise ensuring security. Regular system updates, firewall configurations, and security audits are some of the measures taken to safeguard your website from potential threats.
User-friendly/No Technical Skills Required
Shared hosting plans often come with a user-friendly control panel, allowing website owners to manage their websites with ease. With no necessary technical skills, users can focus on their business rather than server management.
Scalable Hosting
Shared hosting offers flexibility for upscaling or downscaling resources based on demand. As your online store grows, you can readily upgrade to a plan with more resources to deliver a seamless user experience.
Proactive Support
Most shared hosting providers offer round-the-clock support to assist their clients. With dedicated customer service teams, any issues faced are generally resolved swiftly, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
WooCommerce Integration
For those who have or plan to have an online store, shared hosting providers often offer seamless integration with platforms like WooCommerce. This facilitates easy setup and management of your online store, further simplifying the process of running an eCommerce business.
Can Your eCommerce Website Overgrow the Shared Hosting Capacity?
Absolutely! As your eCommerce site scales and traffic increases, you may encounter issues such as slower load times and potential downtime during high traffic peaks; we are talking about at least 3000 visitors per day. So shared web hosting solution, often mentioned on the hosting package, cannot keep up with extensive eCommerce operations because resources are divided among multiple users.
How to Know If It's Time to Upgrade Your Hosting Plan
Properly monitoring the number of visitors to your website on a monthly basis is essential to keep track of your e-commerce store. You can do that by using tools such as Google Analytics or checking your website's traffic statistics through your hosting provider.
If you notice a significant increase in traffic and consistently reach the upper limits of your shared hosting plan, it might be time to consider an upgrade; that is a proactive approach.
The other way is that you would find your website taking more time for loading a page. However, slow load times and potential downtime can negatively impact your eCommerce site's reputation and sales, resulting in loss of potential customers. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor your website's performance and upgrade your hosting plan accordingly.
Overcoming the Upgrade Issue
When your eCommerce store begins to bring large amount of traffic, a logical step is to consider moving to a dedicated hosting solution or a VPS hosting (Virtual Private Server). These alternatives allow your eCommerce site to have its own dedicated resources, thus handling higher traffic and providing a better user experience.
Alternative eCommerce Hosting Solutions
When you first start selling goods online, a basic shared hosting plan might be enough. But as your website gets more popular (think of it like your shop getting lots of customers), you'll need a bigger space to handle everything smoothly. That's when you should consider upgrading your hosting plan. It's like moving your shop to a bigger building! Now, the plan you should pick depends on how much growth you're expecting. If you think you'll be getting a lot more visitors soon, go for a higher plan. Below are some ecommerce hosting alternatives that you can use for your web store.
VPS Hosting
VPS Hosting is an excellent choice for e-commerce stores that require a balance between cost-efficiency and performance. It offers more resources and increased control compared to shared hosting, without the high cost of a dedicated server. This makes it ideal for mid-sized e-commerce shops that anticipate steady growth.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated Hosting is the top-tier choice for e-commerce stores that prioritise performance, security, and complete control over their hosting environment. If your store has a high influx of traffic, has extensive customisation needs, or handles sensitive customer data, dedicated hosting provides the necessary resources and security features.
WordPress Hosting
WordPress Hosting is perfect for e-commerce store owners who prefer a user-friendly platform with an array of customisable features. It’s optimised specifically for WordPress websites, providing enhanced performance and security. If your e-commerce store is built on WordPress, this hosting type will enable seamless operations and improved customer experience.
Premium Business Hosting
Premium Business Hosting is the go-to option for thriving e-commerce stores seeking advanced features, superior speed, and reliability. This type of hosting offers the power and resources of a private server but with the simplicity of shared hosting. It caters to e-commerce businesses that demand high-performance hosting without the technical complexities of managing their own servers.
How HSJ Hosting Provider Can Help You with Your eCommerce Store in Australia
Choosing the right hosting option for your eCommerce store is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business success. Whether you're considering VPS, Dedicated, WordPress, or Premium Business Hosting, each has its unique benefits tailored to meet specific needs.
As your business grows, so does the need for your hosting capacity. Our team at HSJ Hosting Company understands this evolution and is committed to supporting your journey. Based in Australia, we offer tailored solutions that are not only affordable and secure but also user-friendly, even for those with no technical skills. We ensure scalable hosting, so as your online store grows, your hosting capability grows with it. Our proactive support team is always ready to aid you in your journey.
Whether you're just starting or looking to upgrade your eCommerce hosting plan, HSJ hosting company is your trusted partner in Australia. We're here to help you power your e-Commerce website with the right hosting solution. Don't compromise on your hosting needs; choose HSJ, where we prioritise your success.
