Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where multiple websites share the same physical server and its resources, such as CPU, RAM, and storage. It’s like renting an apartment in a building—you have your own space, but you share the overall building infrastructure with other tenants.

🔹 How It Works:

• A hosting provider (like Indieinnovator 😉) installs and maintains a server.

• Many different websites are hosted on that one server.

• Resources are divided among the websites—though not always equally.

🔹 Pros:

• ✅ Affordable – Great for beginners and small businesses.

• ✅ User-friendly – Usually comes with control panels like cPanel or custom dashboards.

• ✅ No technical maintenance – The hosting provider manages the server.

🔹 Cons:

• ⚠️ Limited resources – If one site uses too much, others may slow down.

• ⚠️ Performance issues – Can be affected by “noisy neighbors” (other sites on the same server).

• ⚠️ Less control – Compared to VPS or dedicated servers.

🔹 Best For:

• Personal blogs

• Small business websites

• Portfolios

• Low-traffic websites

🌟 Benefits of Shared Hosting

1. 💰 Cost-Effective

• It’s the most budget-friendly hosting option.

• Since server resources are shared, the cost is split among users.

• Perfect for startups, freelancers, and small websites.

2. 🧰 Easy to Use

• Most shared hosting plans come with a user-friendly control panel (like cPanel or custom dashboards).

• Great for people with little to no technical experience.

• 1-click installs for WordPress, Joomla, etc.

3. 🔧 No Maintenance Required

• Server maintenance, updates, and security are handled by the hosting provider.

• You can focus on your site, not server admin.

4. 📞 Customer Support

• Most providers offer 24/7 support—even on the cheapest plans.

• Helpful for troubleshooting and setup.

5. 🚀 Quick Setup

• Sign up, choose a plan, and your website can be live within minutes.

• Many providers offer free domain registration and website builders.

6. 🔐 Basic Security Features

• Shared hosts usually include firewalls, malware scanning, and other security basics.

• SSL certificates are often free or low-cost.

7. 📈 Scalable (to a point)

• Good for growing sites. You can start small and upgrade to a bigger plan (like VPS or cloud hosting) when needed.

Getting started with shared hosting is super simple, especially if you’re using a beginner-friendly provider like Indieinnovator 😎 Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your website live:

🛠️ How to Get Started with Shared Hosting

1. Choose a Hosting Provider

Pick a reliable shared hosting provider (like Indieinnovator) that fits your needs and budget.

👉 Look for:

• Uptime guarantee (99.9%+)

• Customer support

• Free SSL

• One-click installers (WordPress, etc.)

• Scalable plans

2. Select a Hosting Plan

Most providers offer multiple shared hosting tiers (Basic, Standard, Pro).

Choose based on:

• Expected traffic

• Number of websites

• Storage & bandwidth

• Email accounts or databases needed

✅ Indieinnovator has multiple shared hosting plans tailored for all levels.

3. Register a Domain Name

You can:

• Buy a new domain from your hosting provider

• Use an existing domain and update DNS records to point to your new host

Some plans include a free domain for the first year.

4. Set Up Your Hosting Account

Once you’ve paid:

• You’ll get access to your hosting dashboard or control panel (like client.indieinnovator.com)

• Here, you can manage files, databases, emails, and domains.

5. Install a Website Platform (Optional)

Most users go with:

• WordPress (blog, business site, portfolio)

• Website builders if offered

• Or upload your own custom code

🖱️ One-click installers make this fast.

6. Upload Your Content

• Use the file manager or FTP to upload HTML, images, or site files

• Or, start customizing your WordPress theme

7. Secure Your Site

• Enable SSL (often free)

• Set up backups

• Use basic security plugins or tools provided by the host

8. Go Live!

Once everything’s ready, your site will be accessible via your domain.

Migrating to Indieinnovator is a smooth process—whether you’re coming from another shared host, VPS, or a different platform altogether. Here’s a complete guide to help you switch without stress 👇

🔄 How to Migrate to Indieinnovator (Step-by-Step)

✅ Option 1: Let Indieinnovator Handle It (Recommended)

Most hosting providers—including Indieinnovator—offer free migration services for new customers.

Here’s what to do:

1. Sign up for a hosting plan at indieinnovator.com

2. Go to the client panel at client.indieinnovator.com

3. Submit a support ticket or use the live chat with this info:

   • Your current host’s login credentials (cPanel, FTP, etc.)

   • Domain name

   • Website type (WordPress, static HTML, etc.)

4. Indieinnovator’s support team will handle the rest—including moving files, databases, emails, and DNS if needed.

🛟 Bonus: They’ll even check your site after migration to ensure everything works perfectly.

🧠 Option 2: Do It Yourself (For Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable with hosting stuff, here’s how to do a manual migration:

1. Backup Your Website

• Download all your website files via File Manager or FTP

• Export your database (usually via phpMyAdmin)

2. Upload to Indieinnovator

• Log in to your Indieinnovator control panel

• Upload files via File Manager or FTP

• Import your database into MySQL using phpMyAdmin

3. Update Configuration Files

Update your website’s config (like wp-config.php for WordPress) to match your new:

• Database name

• Username

• Password

• Host (usually localhost)

4. Point Your Domain

• Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)

• Update the nameservers to:

  ns1.indieinnovator.com
ns2.indieinnovator.com

🕒 DNS changes may take up to 24-48 hours to propagate.

5. Test Your Website

• Visit your domain

• Check for errors

• Test forms, links, and functionality

🧾 Checklist for a Smooth Migration:

• ✅ Files and database backed up

• ✅ Emails migrated (if using email hosting)

• ✅ SSL reissued (can be done via Indieinnovator panel)

• ✅ Domain DNS updated

• ✅ Everything tested after migration