Not all hosting is the same. When you set up a website, you’ll be asked what kind of hosting you want: Shared, VPS, or Cloud. For many Maine small business owners, these terms feel confusing — but the choice matters for speed, security, and reliability.
At MaineBizPros, we break it down in plain English.
Shared Hosting
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What it is: Your website sits on the same server as dozens (or hundreds) of other sites.
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Pros: Low cost, easy to start, good for small “brochure” sites with low traffic.
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Cons: If one site hogs resources or gets hacked, it can slow or affect yours.
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Best for: One-person shops, very small sites, businesses just getting started online.
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
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What it is: Your site still shares a server, but with fewer “neighbors” and your own dedicated slice of resources.
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Pros: More speed, security, and control than shared hosting.
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Cons: More expensive, sometimes requires technical setup.
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Best for: Growing businesses, e-commerce, or sites where downtime means lost sales.
Cloud Hosting
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What it is: Your site runs across a network of servers, not just one. Resources scale up or down automatically.
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Pros: Extremely reliable, fast, and scalable. Handles sudden traffic spikes with ease.
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Cons: Higher cost, more complex to configure without help.
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Best for: Established businesses, busy online stores, or mission-critical websites.
Quick Comparison
| Hosting Type | Cost | Speed | Security | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | $ | Low | Basic | Starter sites |
| VPS | $$ | Medium | Stronger | Growing businesses |
| Cloud | $$$ | High | Robust | E-commerce & high traffic |
How to Choose
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Small brochure site: Shared hosting is fine.
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Active catalog or local store with online orders: VPS.
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High-traffic or mission-critical business site: Cloud.
Final Thoughts
Choosing hosting isn’t about picking the fanciest option. It’s about matching your needs to the right balance of cost, reliability, and speed.
At MaineBizPros, we don’t upsell — we assess your business and recommend the right hosting for where you are today (and help you scale when you’re ready). Your business gets exactly what it needs, with no wasted expense.
