One popular alternative to shared hosting options is free hosting. Users willing to pass on a few essential features will have no trouble finding a host of free services online. While shared hosting always contains an individual domain, free hosting users are usually only offered subdomains under the addresses of their hosting providers – a clear turn off for commercial web projects aiming for a professional appearance. Another drawback: free hosting services are most often financed through advertisements, often on their users’ sites, making it difficult to flexibly monetise web projects.
Privately hosted servers are of course alternatives to shared hosting as well as the other models mentioned here. But this route is best pursued by experienced users or businesses that possess both the financial means and technical know-how required for setting up such complicated IT infrastructure. Securely operating a server requires expert administrators and regular hardware as well as software updates. Specialised data centres are generally viable alternatives to setting up shop within company quarters.