Hosting multiple websites: 3 options for various requirements

The rise of the Internet and the proliferation of online tools have led to a growing demand among professionals in different fields to manage and host multiple websites.

Many entrepreneurs, bloggers, designers, programmers, and IT professionals are already engaging with technology either for business requirements, customer needs, or personal interests.

Work in various scenarios may include developing and regularly releasing websites and applications online, as seen with agencies, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs who are constantly launching new online projects.

Managing multiple websites and domains online can be challenging, especially when dealing with numerous projects simultaneously. Additionally, hosting all these websites can further increase the workload.

This task can vary in complexity and effort based on your requirements and preferences. To assist you in making a decision, I will outline three methods of hosting different websites in this article, along with their pros and cons.

Opt for a hosting package that allows for hosting multiple websites.

Hosting plans from different companies vary in type and resources, including memory, disk space, and the number of websites permitted in each plan.

Choosing a plan that permits hosting multiple sites may not be as costly or complicated as it seems. In fact, it can be just as simple and affordable as plans for a single site. While a single-site plan may be priced at less than R$ 10 per month, a plan for multiple sites could cost less than R$ 15, especially during seasonal promotions.

It is important to recognize that the value can differ significantly based on the amount of resources required to host all the websites.

With 5 institutional sites that have low traffic and are optimized, you could likely use shared hosting to meet your needs.

If you manage several large websites and experience moderate to high traffic, you require a stronger hosting solution like a dedicated server, Cloud, or a private virtual server (VPS). Among these options, the VPS offers specific features and better scalability for your overall and site-specific needs.

The ideal hosting solution for my websites may involve using a single hosting service. The decision depends on the advantages and disadvantages of hosting multiple sites on the same platform.

Benefits of hosting multiple websites within a single hosting package

• By opting for a hosting plan with increased resources and dividing the expenses among several sites, the cost per hosted site typically decreases compared to individual contracts, similar to bulk buying in financial economics.
• Using a single plan reduces the time spent on account management. Instead of dealing with multiple bills for each hosting plan, one can streamline the process by using a single plan and avoid handling various contracts and tax documents.
• By handling all accounts from one hosting, you streamline the process and increase efficiency, saving time and effort typically spent on managing multiple logins, passwords, and providers.

Downsides of hosting multiple websites within the same hosting package

• Hosting multiple sites in the same plan does not raise the risk of unavailability unless the server is overloaded. However, if unavailability occurs, the impact is more significant as all managed sites are inaccessible simultaneously, potentially causing significant issues depending on the number of affected websites.
• The performance of other websites can be impacted if one site on the same account experiences unexpected high traffic or a DDoS attack. Similarly, if your account is suspended due to a violation of terms of service, all sites hosted on that account will be unavailable until the issue is resolved.
• Managing multiple sites in shared hosting can be challenging, especially when you need to handle sites from different owners, as granting access to the hosting control panel may not be feasible. This situation can lead to increased workload due to the need to assist customers with routine hosting tasks.
• Some plans have restrictions on hosting third-party websites, particularly in shared hosting, due to concerns about reselling hosting services. Dedicated VPS servers do not have these limitations, as clients have full control over their resources.

Websites and domains are distinct entities.

The quantity of websites permitted in a hosting plan may differ from the number of domains allowed. Parked domains, which may or may not redirect to a site, do not contribute to the hosting limits. Hence, owning a site with a domain and three additional domains redirecting to it could be managed with a hosting plan for just one site. 😉

Now we move on to the second method of hosting multiple websites within the same hosting service.

2. Engage in reselling hosting services.

An economical option for hosting multiple sites in a single account is to opt for a hosting reseller plan. This allows you to access a set amount of resources based on the selected plan, which can be allocated to individual accounts within the hosting for resale to your customers.

You have access to helpful tools for managing accounts individually within the hosting service, including plan and pricing formatting, as well as account collection and management. Popular tools for this purpose are the WHM control panel and the WHMCS system for management and collection.

Some companies enable account holders to resell domains and access the same tools provided to the company’s clients, like website creation and free SSL. This arrangement operates as a hosting service without the need to manage infrastructure. Support is available through the hosting company exclusively for the reseller, who in turn provides support to their own customers.

Hosting reselling often occurs in shared environments, but there are also options available in more powerful environments like VPS and dedicated servers. The choice of the most appropriate hosting solution will vary depending on individual needs. Reselling hosting in a shared environment is typically more affordable but offers fewer features, whereas hosting in a dedicated environment is more robust and expensive.

Benefits of hosting several websites in a resale setting

• Having all websites centralized on the same hosting makes website management easier and saves time, enabling you to focus on other daily tasks.
• In a reseller hosting, each site is in a separate account with allocated features, ensuring control over resources and preventing one account from using resources belonging to others. This setup allows for better organization and the ability to allocate resources according to individual site needs.
• By choosing reselling, you gain access to additional tools to cater to your customers’ requirements, such as website builders, domains, SSL certificates, and more, in addition to hosting services.
• Account management centralization allows you to oversee all hosting aspects via a management panel, while also providing clients with their own exclusive control panel for account access. This setup is beneficial as it enables customers to independently create new email accounts. Hosting providers utilizing the WHM/cPanel panel are favored for providing such comprehensive management capabilities.
• Automated customer service is commonly provided in WHM/cPanel resales through the integration of the WHMCS financial panel. This feature enables automatic billing of customers, eliminating the need for manual invoicing and payment collection from each individual client.

Hosting multiple websites for resale has its drawbacks.

• Hosting resale plans all share the same server, which means that any downtime or instability will affect all sites. To minimize risks, dividing accounts among different resales could help, but any disruptions would still cause significant issues until resolved.
• When you hire a reseller, there is a risk of having unused resources if you don’t have enough customers to make the business profitable immediately. It’s similar to a plane taking off with empty seats, where you incur costs each month without generating revenue. To reduce this risk, consider starting with a lower-cost plan and upgrading as you acquire more customers. Some reseller plans start at around R $30 per month.

We now move on to the third choice for hosting multiple websites, this time using separate accounts.

Ensure that each website has its own hosting plan.

Sometimes, it may be best to use a hosting plan for each website, despite the initial perception of it being a poor choice.

Each site has its own hosting, such as shared, dedicated, or other types, that specifically serves that site.

This option could be suitable for individuals who prefer not to manage their clients’ websites, such as web developers who would rather have their clients handle hosting services independently.

Benefits of opting for individual hosting packages

• Tailored solutions for each website are essential, as not all sites have the same requirements. Opting for different hosting solutions based on individual needs is crucial. For instance, smaller websites may thrive in a shared hosting environment, while high-traffic sites may require a Cloud solution. Additionally, some websites may benefit from a server located in Brazil, while others can be hosted on servers abroad. Customizing hosting solutions for each site ensures optimal performance.
• By hosting numerous websites within one account, they will share the same IP address, potentially impacting their independence. However, hosting these websites in distinct environments could lead to improved ranking outcomes, particularly for companies with interconnected sites that exchange links.
• This choice has a reduced impact if there is unavailability compared to the other options. Dealing with just one site being down allows for quicker resolution without being overwhelmed.
• Trying out various options allows you to gain more experience and eventually choose the best lodging solution for your needs. Using just one provider may cause you to miss out on finding an even better hosting option.

Drawbacks of using individual hosting packages

• Hosting multiple sites on the same hosting is usually more cost-effective, whereas having a separate hosting for each site can lead to higher total costs. This is because it is akin to purchasing items at retail prices. Nonetheless, the advantage is that there are no unused resources, as you only pay for what you need.
• Using separate accounts from different providers requires more time for management. Additionally, there is a steeper learning curve due to variations in hosting panels, even if they both utilize cPanel. This setup also entails managing numerous logins, passwords, and dashboards.

Conclusion

The best hosting option for multiple websites depends on various factors such as desired independence, specific project needs, and management priorities.

Hosting multiple websites in the same environment offers benefits like cost savings and simplified management. Conversely, having separate hosting for each project reduces risks and allows for tailored solutions for individual sites.

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Published on 03/04/2019 and revised on 15/02/2020.