Shared Hosting are an economical options, since overhead costs are substantially reduced.
Most web applications currently used are windows-based, hence windows hosting is recommended. If you wish to create a website using ASP.NET framework, then this is mainly suited, since its integration is effortless and efficient. Though being on the expensive side, but its advantages of elevated security levels, smooth integration, single point of control, application compatibility and provides complete integration with data servers like windows platform, MySQL, MSDE and MSSQL