Bandwidth and Web traffic

Two terms come up a lot when you run a website: bandwidth and web traffic. They are related but not the same, and understanding the difference helps you pick the right hosting. This guide explains both in plain language.

What is bandwidth?

Bandwidth measures how much data can be processed per unit of time, most often in bits per second. Think of it as the width of a pipe: the wider it is, the more data can flow at once. Every JetHost plan comes with unmetered bandwidth, which means there is no fixed cap on the amount of data you can transfer.

Bandwidth on a shared server

On shared hosting, the server’s bandwidth is shared between all accounts on it. When overall usage is low, your site can use much more for its own needs. When usage across the server peaks, you may notice slightly lower speeds. We monitor bandwidth usage across all accounts around the clock and use technologies designed to keep those slowdowns to a minimum.

Bandwidth and web traffic: the difference

Web traffic is simply the amount of data exchanged between your site and its visitors. The more traffic you get, the more popular your website is. Bandwidth is the capacity of the pipe; web traffic is how much actually flows through it. High traffic is a good problem to have, as long as your hosting can handle it.

How to grow your traffic

There are many ways to increase traffic, from high-quality content to a clean, engaging design. The most powerful tool, though, is search engine optimization (SEO), which helps people find your site through search engines. With unmetered bandwidth, you can grow without worrying about hitting a data limit.

Need more help?

If your site feels slow or you have questions about bandwidth and web traffic on your plan, open a ticket through Client Area → Support Tickets and our team will review your account.