A few months ago, I decided to build a website. I thought it would be simple—buy a domain, get a cheap hosting plan, and launch it. But soon, I realized that not all hosting is the same, and choosing the right hosting is super important.
Let me share my journey with you. If you are planning to host a website, this story will help you avoid mistakes and pick the right hosting.
Starting with Shared Hosting
Like most beginners, I started with shared hosting. It was cheap, easy to set up, and perfect for basic websites. I uploaded some HTML, CSS, and PHP files, and everything worked fine.
But then I had a big idea! I wanted to build a modern web application with React for the frontend and Node.js with MongoDB for the backend. That’s when the real challenge began.
Why Shared Hosting Didn’t Work for My Project
I tried to install Node.js on my shared hosting plan, but it didn’t work. I searched online, hoping to find a trick. The reality? Shared hosting was never built for apps like mine!
Here’s why:
❌ No support for Node.js – Most shared hosting plans only support PHP, not backend frameworks like Node.js.
❌ No MongoDB database – Shared hosting usually comes with MySQL, but I needed MongoDB, which requires a dedicated server.
❌ Performance issues – Even if I found a way to install Node.js, my app would have been slow because I was sharing resources with hundreds of other websites.
I had to look for another option. That’s when I found cloud hosting.
Choosing the Right Hosting – Digital Ocean
I researched different hosting providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Linode. Finally, I picked Digital Ocean because:
✅ It supports Node.js, MongoDB, and React without any issues.
✅ It gives dedicated resources, so my website runs fast.
✅ It allows easy scaling, so I can upgrade my server as my business grows.
✅ It is affordable compared to AWS and other big cloud providers.
With Digital Ocean, I finally launched my website without limitations. It felt like moving from a tiny rented room to my own house!
The Lesson? Choose Your Hosting Wisely!
If you are building a simple website, shared hosting is fine. But if you want to create a powerful web application, you need cloud hosting or a dedicated server.
What is shared hosting?
It’s a type of hosting where multiple websites share the same server. It’s good for small websites but has many limits.
Can I host a React website on shared hosting?
Yes, but only if it’s a simple static site. If you need a backend, shared hosting won’t work.
Why can’t I use Node.js on shared hosting?
Shared hosting does not support Node.js because it requires a special runtime environment.
Which hosting is best for React and Node.js projects?
Cloud hosting like Digital Ocean, AWS, or Google Cloud is the best choice.
Can I run MongoDB on shared hosting?
No, MongoDB needs a dedicated database server, which shared hosting does not provide.
Is shared hosting good for an e-commerce website?
It’s okay for small stores, but for a large e-commerce site, you need VPS or cloud hosting.
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