Slightly Off Topic - Microsites Structuring

e're thinking of creating microsites specifically aimed at each
manufacturer we are districutors for. The idea is to use one main
database to feed and administer all microsites.
Would anyone know how we'd structure this project, i.e. Could we have
the microsites on individual hosting servers (same hosting company on
shared servers)? or would we have to use a hosting company that allows
several sites on one hosting package so the sites could share the same
database?
What other implications may we come accross?

Hope someone has tackled this before and sorry for the 'off topic'
post.

Thanks in advance
Andy