The list in brief
1. Best overall UK web host: Hostinger
2. Best for UK focused business: Krystal
3. Best for fast UK hosting: SiteGround
4. Best for add-ons and features: HostGator
5. Best reseller: 20i
6. Best for high-end plans: A2 Hosting
7. Best for cloud-based hosting: Cloudways
8. Best for uptime: Hostpapa
9. Best for support: ScalaHosting
10. Best for VPS hosting: UK2
11. Best for unlimited bandwidth: WHUK
12. Best for beginners: 34SP
11. How to choose the best UK web host
12. How we test
13. FAQs
The UK boasts one of the best web hosting markets globally, which is great for variety and but finding a service specific for your needs but can make it tricky to choose. That's why we've made this handy guide for beginners and big business alike.
When picking a host, it's important to consider who is going to be using your website. It's all well and good using a UK based host for high speeds for your UK users but if you have global ambitions, you may need a host that has worldwide presence.
We've tested the web hosting providers based on WordPress websites (hosted on UK servers if it's available) because that's what the majority of readers are looking to host on their servers. Although the data collected is focused around a WordPress website, the data still gives us real insight into each web hosting provider’s performance as we monitor server response time, uptime, speed, pricing, user interface, storage offering, as well customer support, features, and hosting add-ons. We've also done various other tests. So, if you're looking for a review of a provider from a different aspect you can find it on our other buying guides.
All this data helps us to create a list of the best UK web hosting services so you don’t have to spend hours searching the internet and comparing features on your own. Below, you’ll find our top ten picks of the UK’s best quality and cheap web hosting.
The quick list
The best UK web hosting of 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below, we have write-ups for each of the best UK web hosting providers in our list. We've tested (and continue to test) each one extensively, so you can be sure you're getting accurate recommendations that you can trust.
Best overall UK web hosting service
✅ You need speed. If speed is what you’re after when looking for a web host in the UK, Hostinger ticks that box.
✅ You need lots of features. Hostinger is big on features, and if that’s at the top of your list of things your desired web host must have, then you’ll have plenty to work with across all Hostinger packages.
✅ You need a variety of payment options. Consider Hostinger if you need a host that accepts payment via credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Alipay and Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via CoinGate.
❌ You want powerful VPS. Its VPS plans get 100Mbps connection, less than many top hosting providers, therefore if your site needs more, look elsewhere.
❌ You need telephone support. If you’ve prioritised telephone support as a main factor in your choice of web host, Hostinger would not be the host for you. Although there's 24/7 live chat and email or ticket support.
❌ You're after a free trial. Although Hostinger has a 30-day money-back guarantee covering its hosting plans and some other products, there’s no free trial, therefore, if you’re looking for a host that offers a try-before-you-buy service, Hostinger isn’t it.
What you need to know
Hostinger stands out because of its ability to cater for multiple use cases including personal websites and the needs of small businesses. In our test, we were impressed by how our site performed overall including the speed when we opted to host our site using its UK server.
During our testing period, we didn't experience uptime issues and were able to contact customer support, to which we received a rapid response to our query regarding its website builder included in the package we purchased. However, Hostinger could improve things somewhat by having telephone support.
We consistently experienced lightning fast website speed and low latency, even with Hostinger's shared hosting. Plans start from £2.59 ($1.99) a month over four years, and welcome features include free SSL certificate and easy WordPress installation and management.
We also measure our test website’s load speeds with help from GTmetrix, which accesses a test page and reports how long its main content takes to load. Hostinger scored 0.607 seconds, which means our website is likely to pop up onto the screen more quickly, keeping visitors happy. Overall, we are continually impressed by Hostinger’s wide range of features, data centre server location options and low starting prices.
Read our full Hostinger review
Best for UK focused business
✅ You're looking for high speeds in the UK: Krystal has a data center strategically positioned in the heart of the capital. Having local servers means speeds in the UK will be high.
✅ You want 100% green hosting: Utilising solely green renewable energy to power its data centers, Krystal doesn’t just offset its carbon footprint, it shrinks it.
✅ You’re a UK Start-up. UK startups registered in the last 12 months get one year of free hosting on the Sapphire business plan.
❌ The audience you're aiming for isn't in the UK: If you're in search of a host with servers located outside the UK for faster speeds, Krystal might not be the ideal hosting choice.
❌ You’re working on a tight budget: If you’re on a strict budget, we suggest considering another hosting provider on the list as Krystal isn't the most budget-friendly choice.
What you need to know
Krystal shines bright as one of the UK’s top independent web hosting providers, famous for its excellence with the ”Best Hosted Service” award at the ISPA and boasting an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot. Its lightning-fast and secure UK-based servers and ethical philosophy make it a top choice for anyone seeking reliable and conscientious hosting services in the UK.
New startups registered in the UK can benefit from a free year of hosting with Krystal's Sapphire plan, while UK-registered charities can utilize the Amethyst plan for completely free hosting.
With a wide variety of hosting options - ranging from shared and cloud to managed WordPress, VPS, dedicated, and business-focused hosting - Krystal ensures a solution to match every need so they’re worth checking out. Their commitment to user convenience stands out with its seamless cPanel migration service, allowing you to effortlessly transition existing sites from any previous server.Which is useful for new businesses that are not yet sure on peak requirements.
While Krystal isn’t the most budget-friendly host out there, it offers incredible value for your investment. It comes with freebies such as SSL certificates, DDoS protection, daily data backups, a free domain name, a one-click installer (with over 380 apps), and an intuitive drag-and-drop site builder. However, with most hosting plans, you don’t get a CDN included (you can purchase it separately though). For sites primarily targeting a UK-based audience, this might not be a major concern as your site will still perform well.
Finally yet importantly, Krystal is serious about preserving the planet and making it greener. They power their data centers with 100% renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprint. Notably, they were the first UK host to adopt renewable energy completely. Plus, they support eco-initiatives like Trees for Life, Ecologi, and Veritree, planting trees to fight carbon emissions in the UK and beyond.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a UK-based hosting solution that's eco-conscious, high-performing, and trusted by big brands, consider giving Krystal a try.
Read our full Krystal review
Best for fast hosting in the UK
✅ You need a powerful host. SiteGround is far more interested in power, thus if power is what you’re looking for, then power is what you’ll get with this web host.
✅ You need a UK server location. If you’re set on using a web host with a server location in the UK, SiteGround has a data center in the capital.
✅ You need any website problems fixed right away. If something isn't working as it should, you can contact SiteGround 24/7 via live chat or email, and be chatting with an expert usually within a couple of minutes.
❌ You want more payment options. SiteGround supports payments via card only.
❌ You need more testing time. If you think you’ll need longer than 30 days to test the web host, you might want to opt for a host that offers a longer money-back guarantee period. HostGator, for example, offers 45 days.
❌ You're after the cheapest host. SiteGround isn’t the cheapest option (despite it being good value for money in our opinion). If you’re on a tight budget, we would recommend choosing another host from the list.
What you need to know
SiteGround’s superiority comes from its commitment to speed, uptime, and support, making it the fastest host in the UK. This isn’t the only thing that impressed us. The company's servers are built on Google Cloud which accounts for its super fast network. The not so great part is SiteGround isn’t the cheapest web hosting provider, but the perks they offer make their plans worth every penny.
We found its site management, from popular Content Management Systems (CMS) such as Joomla and WordPress, easy to use, and its domain management tool let us manage both our domain and our site simultaneously. Pricing starts at £2.99 ($2.99) a month on the annual plan, but leaps to an above-average £11.99 on renewal. Certainly not as cheap as Hostinger.
Making use of SiteGround’s 24/7 support, we chose to use live chat. An agent appeared within seconds and gave us a clear answer immediately. We tried the phone support later on with similar success.
Higher plans with SiteGround offer additional and more in-depth features that include a wider range of server resources including Git integration, a staging tool to test websites before going live, and dynamic WordPress caching, among others. To top it all off, SiteGround hosts our test site from their server in London, ensuring better speeds and response times for a UK audience.
Read our SiteGround review
Best UK host for add-ons and features
✅ You need a good website builder too. If you’re looking for a web host that also has a quality website builder, HostGator is a great choice to consider. Its site builder is really easy to use.
✅ You need helpful customer support. If you’re new to the hosting space, you’ll benefit from HostGator’s 24/7 live chat, telephone and email support.
✅ You want a range of hosting plans. If you need a web host with no limitations that has a variety of plans to suit most budgets, HostGator is a great option.
❌ You want cheaper VPS. If you’re looking for VPS hosting that’s a bit cheaper, more powerful or configurable, it's well worth checking a few alternatives.
❌ You want to select your server location yourself. If you are particular about choosing your server location yourself, HostGator may not be the host for you.
❌ You want a to avoid downtime as much as possible. In our test, we experienced some website downtime, therefore you may want to check out other web hosts with higher success rates when it comes to uptime guarantee.
What you need to know
From HostGator’s WordPress hosting, to its VPS range, and even dedicated hosting for full control and leading-edge performance, the web host offers a plan for just about any website need.
We initially knocked a few points off HostGator because of its US-only data centre locations. HostGator does include optional support for Cloudflare, though, which hosts content on data centers all around the world (including the UK), maximising speeds everywhere.
HostGator scores for its user experience, with easy signup and onboarding, a Create Website wizard which walks you through your first steps, clear web dashboards and industry-standard cPanel site management.
Even experts still need help sometimes, and HostGator's support site can usually help, with its detailed but very readable setup and troubleshooting guides. And if you need more, we've found HostGator delivers excellent support 24/7 via live chat, phone and email.
Read our full HostGator review
Best UK web hosting service for reselling
✅ You want round-the-clock customer support. 20i is known for its reliable customer support, offering swift assistance through various channels.
✅ You want reliable and lightning-fast performance. 20i excels in performance, evident in its swift loading speeds and consistently reliable uptime.
❌ You have an audience beyond the UK and the USA. The availability of data centers is somewhat limited, impacting performance for users farther from the UK and the USA.
What you need to know
If you’re in pursuit of top-tier reseller hosting services, you should know that 20i stands tall with its resoundingly powerful and user-friendly offerings. 20i's strength lies in reseller hosting, where they've carefully crafted an arsenal of features (including unlimited SSD space, bandwidth, databases, SSLs, and email accounts) providing strong management capabilities and flexibility.
One of the most standout aspects of 20i is its approval in the UK hosting arena. In addition to winning over 80 badges in a variety of hosting categories, including being ranked amongst the industry's high performers, 20i has triumphed in categories like best support, easiest to do business with, and best usability by G2 awards. These accolades show commitment to providing exceptional hosting service and user experience.
If you care about our planet, you'll be glad to hear that 20i provides green web hosting powered by 100% renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Committed to eco-friendliness, 20i extends these green hosting benefits to resellers, which means you can showcase this environmental commitment to your customers.
20i prioritizes security by providing a free Wildcard SSL certificate to fortify site defense, ensuring data encryption and secure user connections. Plus, you'll get standard DDoS protection, automatic malware scans, email antivirus and antispam, web application firewall, FTP security lock, and 2FA. All in all, with 20i, you're getting ultra-secure hosting.
On the other hand, 20i's custom control panel, though user-friendly, might seem a bit simplistic for experienced users accustomed to other popular panels like cPanel or Plesk. Still, this in-house developed control panel undergoes continuous refinement based on user feedback, which ensures an evolving hosting environment.
Customer support at 20i remains steadfast, offering assistance round the clock via chat, phone, or support ticket creation. Moreover, the wealth of knowledge available in 20i’s comprehensive guides will prove useful for hands-on users seeking in-depth understanding.
Read our full 20i review
Best UK host for high-end plans
✅ You need a strong uptime commitment. If your site is down for more than 0.1% of the total time per month, you'll receive a 5% credit for every hour your site is unreachable, up to a maximum of your full monthly fee.
✅ You need full refunds. A2 Hosting also offers refunds on SSL certificates, a protection we don't see with all providers.
✅ You need speed. If you need lots of speed-boosting technologies with the high-end plans, A2 Hosting ticks those boxes.
❌ You want speed on a budget. 20x faster loading only comes with the Turbo plan (which is more expensive).
❌ You want a free domain. A2 Hosting would not be one to consider as it doesn’t come with a free domain of any sort.
❌ You want a UK server to host your site. If you’re set on using a host with a UK server, A2 Hosting wouldn’t be the choice for you.
A2 Hosting is a capable provider with a 20+-year track record in offering web hosting services around the world. A2 Hosting optimises the security settings for software platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Magento and OpenCart to make the audience user experience memorable.
Shared hosting plans are generally strong on features, with highlights including unlimited bandwidth, 100GB storage, free SSL and free migration. There's no free domain, though, and the low-end plan doesn't include backups, so it's important to check the fine details before you buy, make sure you're getting what you need.
A2 Hosting doesn’t have a data centre in the UK, but we found that using its server in Amsterdam works perfectly well. A2 Hosting offers a hassle-free 30-day full money-back guarantee for most of its hosting plans, but also returns some of your cash if you request a refund between 31 and 90 days after your purchase.
A2 Hosting support is available via ticket and a web knowledge base only. There's no live chat or telephone support, and although that's disappointing in general, it wasn’t a problem for us because our query via its ticket service was dealt with quite rapidly.
Read our full A2 Hosting review
Best cloud-based hosting solutions
✅ You need secure cloud hosting. If you’re looking for a fast and secure cloud hosting solution that, quite quickly, optimises your site, Cloudways may be the service for you.
✅ You want to test for free. Cloudways offers a 3-day free trial.
✅ You want to pay for what you use only. Cloudways is a pay-as-you-go service; you only pay for the resources you consume. You will be invoiced for the services used in any given month at the start of the following month.
❌ You're a beginner. Cloudways is not the easiest of web hosting tools to get your head around.
❌ You need an in-house domain registrar. Cloudways does not have a domain registrar service whatsoever.
❌ You want email. Cloudways doesn’t offer email as part of any package which means you’ll need to outsource for your website.
What you need to know
Cloudways is a high-end cloud hosting platform which is powered by some of the fastest networks around, including Google Cloud, DigitalOcean and AWS.
The company isn't trying to compete with consumer hosting providers, and that means you won't get extras such as a free domain or bundled email.
Cloudways scores on the core essentials, though, with integrated backups, free SSL, 1-click installation of WordPress and other apps, and quality 24/7 support.
WordPress hosting is a highlight, with Cloudways offering cutting-edge features such as WordPress-optimised caching, and a CDN which accelerates your website's speed for visitors from all around the world.
Read our full Cloudways review
Best UK web hosting for uptime
✅ You need a wide selection of server locations. HostPapa has 102 servers distributed across the entire world, including London, Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, and Madrid.
✅ You need free migration. If you’re looking for free site and domain migration, HostPapa offers just that.
✅ You want helpful guides. HostPapa has outstanding self-help options, so if you usually like to figure things out for yourself, HostPapa has the tools to let you get on with it.
❌ You need free site backup. If you’ve got “free automated backups” on your checklist of features a web host must offer, HostPapa wouldn’t be a great choice for you.
❌ You're looking for the cheapest option. HostPapa add-ons can get really costly too, therefore, you may want to pick a host that offers as much as possible in its package price.
❌ You need cheap renewal prices. HostPapa’s renewal prices can be quite expensive.
What you need to know
HostPapa's consistent performance enables it to maintain a spot in this list. It comes with affordable plans so that even if you have a business that’s just starting out, they’ve got an affordable plan available for you.
Their competitive prices do not compromise their hosting speed. HostPapa still holds a reputation in providing excellent uptime and fast loading speed. We find its customer support also scores very high in our rankings, mainly due to its 24/7 bilingual support.
We utilised HostPapa’s offer of a free domain name, and found its tools easy to use, keeping us in full control of our site. Its storage is fast and reliable, and HostPapa offers apps along with its hosting service. It also comes with pre-installed WordPress and Jetpack if you’re more comfortable with this platform for your website.
We found HostPapa’s free site migration and domain transfer service easy to use. HostPapa is reliable, fast and offers excellent customer support that helps every step of the way.
Read our full HostPapa review
Best for excellent customer support
✅ You want plenty of add-ons. Scala Hosting’s shared plans are feature-rich, meaning you won’t need to cough out lots of money on add-ons for your site.
✅ You need a variety of packages. If you're working on a heavy-duty project for medium to large or business-critical sites, Scala Hosting almost certainly has a VPS for you.
✅ You want top tier VPS. The real highlight is the Scala Hosting’s professional and highly configurable VPS hosting, which has the power to handle serious business-critical sites.
❌ You need a server location in the UK. Scala Hosting has US-only data centre locations.
❌ You want telephone support. Although its live chat support is helpful, Scala Hosting doesn’t offer telephone support, which could be a nuisance to those who need it.
❌ You need fast shared hosting. Scala Hosting’s shared hosting speed is fractionally below average.
What you need to know
Scala Hosting is one of the most reliable hosting providers with consistently strong server speed. Its VPS servers’ performance is also highly notable and competitive. To guarantee this, its 99.9% uptime guarantee offers offsetting account credits should there be more downtimes than expected. Scala Hosting also offers a comprehensive and powerful SPanel, Scala Hosting’s alternative to cPanel, made more developer-friendly for easy navigation.
Scala Hosting’s strengths include its approach to security. Its own SPanel locks installation files for security, restricting hacker access to the server to upload malware. Performance is a plus, too, even under load; our test site was able to easily handle big traffic spikes without significantly affecting speeds.
Support is also not overlooked and Scala Hosting offers 24/7 chat support to ensure there’s help at any time. In general, its live chat and ticket support was helpful and we got a response pretty quickly. Scala Hosting’s plans offer competitive pricing, though renewal fees can go pretty steep. These plans include unlimited bandwidth, unlimited databases, guaranteed resources, a free domain and free SSL, SSD powered servers, SShield Cyber security, and a lot more.
Other features of Scala Hosting include daily backups, a 1-click installer, free website migration, and hugely configurable VPS plans.
Read our full Scala Hosting review
Best for fast VPS hosting
✅ You want guidance you can understand. If you’re looking for a service that offers jargon-free guidance, UK2 has plenty of easy to understand guides that are helpful.
✅ You need a one-click installer. A one-click installer allows you to install a range of popular applications, such as WordPress, Drupal or Coppermine to your web server with ease. UK2 offers it.
✅ You're looking for speed. The real highlight is the Scala Hosting’s professional and highly configurable VPS hosting, which has the power to handle serious business-critical sites.
❌ Your audience isn't in the UK. If you are looking for a host that has server locations outside the UK for speed purposes, UK2 would not be the host for you.
❌ You need a detailed guide on how to use. Its knowledge base could be optimised, so if you’re looking for something a bit more advanced in that area, UK2 wouldn’t be your best option.
❌ You need a host that's easy to use. The UK2’s main website is not quite as intuitive as it should be, and you may spend time navigating through it.
What you need to know
Web hosting is a language UK2 speaks very well, and that’s why there’s a comprehensive plan for any type of hosting needs. Each plan has unlimited bandwidth, disk space and mailboxes, SSL certificate, a dedicated cPanel control panel, unlimited subdomains and external domains, and so much more.
With UK2, our website is fast. WordPress is just one click away, the control panel lets us manage everything from one simple, easy to use cPanel platform, SSL comes free with some plans, and 28 data centre locations that ensure our site has its optimum speed.
To be precise, UK2 has cloud locations in Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia (Singapore). We recommend using a European server if you’re in the UK so you can reach out to your appropriate audiences with the best possible speed.
We appreciate, as always, 24/7 customer support, which UK2 offers through live chat and help desk tickets. One drawback on the customer support front is that its telephone support isn’t free. Calls are charged at local rates, and call charges may vary when calling from abroad or from a mobile phone, depending on specific phone plans. Some other hosts offer free telephone support, so bear in mind that. UK2 also has a “Service Heartbeat” page where we easily view planned or unplanned server downtime, enabling us to keep track of everything.
Read our full UK2 review
Best UK hosting for unlimited bandwidth
✅ You want a transparent host. If you’re looking for a hosting service that will be completely transparent about its pricing, WHUK does just that.
✅ You need an easy host. Signing up and navigating your way through WHUK’s service is straightforward. Definitely consider purchasing if that’s what you’re after.
✅ You want cPanel hosting. WHUK provides cPanel with shared Linux plans while Windows plans include Plesk control panel.
❌ You want free SSL included. You’ll have to buy SSL separately, which will bump up the price significantly.
❌ You want international server locations. If you’re outside the UK and want a host that’s servers are based in your country or region, WHUK would not be a host you should choose.
❌ You need cheap or free email. Its email certificates are quite expensive, therefore, you shouldn’t buy WHUK if £24.99 - £166.66 as an additional cost for email isn’t in your budget.
What you need to know
Webhosting UK, also known as WHUK, has been in the web hosting business for over 20 years now. Based in Leeds, its data centre servers are located in Maidenhead, England.
WHUK offers a full range of services and at the start we are asked to choose between different types of web hosting: basic shared web hosting, email hosting, WordPress hosting or reseller hosting. As for servers, WHUK offers VPS, cloud and completely managed dedicated servers for both Windows and Linux.
We found it easy to sign up with WHUK, and the company works hard to simplify your first web steps. If you've a website elsewhere, a free site migration service can usually transfer it to WHUK within 24 hours; if you're starting from scratch, 1-click installation of WordPress and other top apps could have you ready to go in seconds.
WHUK is a quality web hosting solution for smaller or medium-sized businesses, but its offering, in general, doesn’t include as much as other providers on our list. Its greatest advantages, however, are the rich experience it has, coupled with a fairly good reputation, as well as a wide range of plans and a great deal of customer support.
Read our full WHUK review
Best local web host for beginners
✅ You want seasoned host. If you are in the UK and want a local web host, 34SP is a great option that has been in the hosting business for a number of years.
✅ You need customisable host. If you’re looking for a web host that you can customise to fit your individual needs, 34SP offers customization in its universal hosting plan.
✅ You want a host that supports FTP. You may want to commit to 34SP if you’re looking for a host that lets you deploy your sites without any fuss, with full support for FTP, SFTP, SCP & RSYNC.
❌ You have a strict budget. 34SP is not the cheapest option on our list.
❌ You need 24/7 support. The support team works from 8 am to 6 pm.
❌ You want to upgrade with minimal disruptions. Upgrading and downgrading your site may have an impact on the services you are using at that time.
Ditching the big names for another local web host might not seem like a great idea in theory. However, once you get to enjoy the perks of having a local hosting provider, you may strongly reconsider that opinion. 34SP is a Manchester-based hosting provider that offers various options for hosting websites. The host is beginner friendly, meaning it’s very straightforward and easy to navigate through the signing up and setting up process.
34SP boasts of an honest, transparent, reliable, fast and secure hosting service - basically everything that’s needed for a powerful website. What was our verdict when testing? We found it to be just that. Its plans include a website builder plan, professional hosting, WordPress hosting and universal hosting.
If shared hosting is what you need, we recommend picking its professional hosting plan. Also, 34SP’s managed WordPress hosting is capable enough to handle the data of up to three websites without affecting the speed, anymore and we would recommend picking a web host that’s more powerful in that aspect.
Nonetheless, included in the shared plans are fast SSD storage, free site migration, automatic daily backups, and WP plugins for WordPress plans. Its UK-based support is only available 8am-6pm (GMT) Monday to Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm on Saturday on Sunday, but if you're asking a question within those hours, we've found the support team provides speedy and helpful responses.
How to choose the best UK web hosting
In order to choose the best web hosting service to fit your needs, there are nine key factors you must take into consideration that will help you land on the best hosting service, not just in the UK but globally too.
1. Speed - Your website’s speed matters greatly in keeping your customers on your page. Every aspect of your site’s design can affect how fast your website is going to load - from the images, videos, text, and other types of graphics. Your hosting will ensure that your site will meet these demands or you could lose valuable sales.
2. Server locations - Depending on the location of your hosting’s servers, your web page will load faster because of low latency. It’s often good to have a server within the country or continent of your target audience.
3. Uptime - If your website is always down, customers leave your site. The higher the percentage of your hosting provider, the better your chances are of keeping your audience browsing through your site. Servers must stay up and running and so does your hosting provider to keep the uptime at maximum.
4. Response time - Your server response time determines the speed of your entire website and will ultimately affect user interaction.
5. Disk space - Your site hosting’s key component, disk space refers to the storage of your site’s content - images, videos, text, codes, etc.). The amount of disk space your website has and its speed can greatly affect your site’s quality, and, ultimately, your visitors’ experience.
6. Costs - Much like all other aspects of the website, the steep or low costs of a hosting service can often be directly proportional to their features and the quality of their services.
7. User interface - The functionality of your website depends greatly on the ease of the interface it gives the user. This establishes the relationship between your viewer and your website.
8. Support - A reliable web hosting service means everything to your website. In the event of an unexpected down time, it’s important to have support available 24/7.
9. Bandwidth - This is the amount of data from a site that can be transferred from the server to the user. A good web host will offer customised bandwidth for you to choose what's right for your site. Some even go the extra mile and offer unlimited bandwidth to optimize your site's performance.
How we test the best UK web hosting services
In order for us to deliver a verdict on the best UK web hosting services on the market, we test each web host by signing up and using the service. We have a list of key features we expect to receive, before we then test how the hosting provider runs over a two-week to one-month period.
We highlight strong points, warn you of potential problems, then weigh up what we've found in our extensive reviews and product summaries.
Some of the features include the range of products each hosting provider offers, what features and free add-ons you get, the price and whether it's value for money, as well as its overall performance and reliability.
Also, we note down whether the web host has a well-maintained web presence that is professionally presented and fully up to date. If news pages, blogs and social media accounts haven't been updated in an age, that doesn't suggest a company that's actively working to improve its services.
Best UK web hosting FAQs
How much does it cost to host a website in the UK?
The cost of hosting a website in the UK varies from as cheap as £2.59 per month, to over £300 per month depending on your needs and the hosting provider you choose.
The cheapest form of hosting is usually shared hosting plans, while the most expensive usually tends to be dedicated hosting.
Some hosting services have cheap plan prices but come with very little features, therefore, you'll end up having to pay more if you need extras such as SSL if the host doesn't include it in certain plans.
Does it matter what country your website is hosted in?
The short answer is yes. It can affect user experience, as well as SEO and overall website security. Because web hosting is transferring your website file to a hosting server, the closer you are to the server your site is hosted on, the better.
Server locations also have an impact on the speed of your site when users land on it and navigate through it. To avoid latency issues, we would always recommend committing to a web hosting provider that has server locations close to where you're target audience is based.
James has been tinkering around with tech since a young teen. He started by soldering radios together and progressed into programming microcontrollers and building basic websites as a hobby. Professionally, James worked editing technical documentation for tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent before moving over to TechRadar Pro. Over the course of his career he’s edited everything from the UI of the most popular social media apps to the comments in backend code. Now, James enjoys writing and editing web hosting pages helping people navigate through the options to find the most suitable solution for them.
