If you’re launching a new business website in 2025, one of the first questions you’ll face is:
“Do I really need dedicated hosting… or is shared hosting enough?”
There’s a lot of confusing (and sometimes fear-based) advice online pushing companies toward expensive infrastructure they don’t actually need. The truth is simple:
Most small businesses will run perfectly on shared hosting — and in many cases, it’s the smartest choice both financially and operationally.
This guide explains the differences, when each type is appropriate, and how to know when it’s time to upgrade.
Quick Hosting Snapshot
| Hosting Type | Best For | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | Small business websites, service providers, portfolios, early-stage startups | $8 – $35 / month |
| Dedicated Hosting | High-traffic apps, custom infrastructure, security-sensitive workloads | $150 – $500+ / month |
| Cloud / Hybrid | Scaling businesses, SaaS, multi-region reliability | $50 – $250+ / month |
What Is Shared Hosting (And Why It’s Usually Enough)?
Shared hosting means multiple websites share a server, which allows the cost to be extremely low — perfect for:
- ✅ service businesses
- ✅ marketing sites
- ✅ informational websites
- ✅ landing pages
- ✅ early-stage startups validating an idea
Most small businesses do not need a full server running 24/7 just for them — and the performance difference is minimal at low to moderate traffic.
For 80% of business websites, shared hosting is not a downgrade — it’s efficient.
At Mancino Technologies, most of our clients start on shared hosting and only migrate once their traffic or infrastructure needs justify it. Check our pricing or reach out to find out if shared or dedicated hosting is right for you.
When Dedicated Hosting Becomes Necessary
Dedicated hosting means you have your own physical (or virtualized but isolated) server. This is typically required when:
You should consider dedicated hosting if…
- 👉 You process large amounts of data
- 👉 You require enterprise-level security
- 👉 You’re running a custom backend or API
- 👉 You expect high concurrency traffic
- 👉 You’re building a large scale web application
- 👉 You need complete control over performance
If your website is your entire business, not just your online presence — dedicated hosting or cloud tends to make more sense.
Shared Hosting vs Dedicated Hosting (Side-by-Side)
| Feature | Shared Hosting | Dedicated Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✅ Very affordable | ❌ Higher |
| Performance | ✅ Great for normal site traffic | ✅ Excellent |
| Security | ✅ Standard protection | ✅ Advanced |
| Control | 🔹 Limited | ✅ Full |
| Scalability | ✅ Easy to start | ✅ Future-proof |
| Best use case | Websites/Simple apps | Custom web apps |
The “Vendor Trap” Problem: When People Upgrade Too Early
Many agencies recommend expensive infrastructure before it’s actually needed. The result?
- ❌ money burned on capacity you never use
- ❌ complexity increases without benefit
- ❌ premature server administration headaches
Our approach at Mancino Technologies is “infrastructure right-sized to the stage you’re in.” You don’t build a skyscraper foundation for a coffee shop — and you don’t need enterprise hosting for a brochure site.
When Should You Upgrade?
A good rule of thumb:
| If you’re | Use |
|---|---|
| running < 20,000 monthly visitors | Shared |
| running > 20,000 monthly visitors | Dedicated / Cloud |
| storing sensitive user data | Dedicated |
| operating a SaaS app | Dedicated/Cloud |
| hosting static marketing pages | Shared |
FAQ
Is shared hosting bad for SEO?
Not at all. Page load time matters more than hosting type, and most modern shared hosting is plenty fast for small business sites.
Does shared hosting affect security?
Reputable providers isolate accounts, so modern shared hosting is safe for typical marketing websites.
When is dedicated hosting worth it?
Once your website begins acting like software — not just a digital brochure — dedicated or cloud infrastructure becomes worthwhile.
Can I start on shared and upgrade later?
Yes, and that’s often the smartest cost-saving approach.
Final Takeaway
Shared hosting isn’t a “beginner” option — it’s the correct choice for most small businesses. Dedicated servers are fantastic when apps and infrastructure matter, but unnecessary for typical branded or marketing websites.
If you’re unsure which option fits your business, a pro from Mancino Tech can evaluate your needs in a quick call and point you in the right direction. If you know you need a Dedicated or Cloud Server request a quote and let us know what you need. Or check out our Shared Server Pricing options.