The best WordPress hosting in the UK will provide publishers with fast page loading, high guaranteed uptime, free SSL certificates, and great support to help build and grow WordPress websites.
I’ve conducted extensive research and have found and reviewed the best WordPress hosting services for the UK based on criteria like loading speed, affordability, uptime, and customer service. Read on to find the best WordPress website hosting for your needs.
Best WordPress Hosting Services for the UK
Best UK WordPress Hosting Providers at a Glance
- Domain.com – Best UK WordPress hosting for small sites
- Bluehost – Fastest hosting provider for the UK
- DreamHost – Best WordPress hosting platform UK for beginners
- Hostinger – Great UK WordPress hosting for small-to-medium businesses
- IONOS – Best budget WordPress hosting provider
- A2 Hosting – Fast, secure, and affordable UK web hosting
- InMotion – Fast and reliable UK web hosting with a long money-back guarantee
- Liquid Web – Best UK WordPress hosting provider for easy migrations
- InterServer – Affordable WordPress solution with best-in-class customer support
- HostArmada – Best range of WordPress hosting plans
- Namecheap – Best WordPress hosting for the UK with 100% uptime and strong security
- HostPapa – Best secure shared hosting for small businesses
- Name.com – Best WordPress hosting UK platform for add-ons
- Show Full Guide
Best WordPress Domain Hosting Services Reviewed
In this section, I’ll cover my recommendations for the best WordPress web hosting in the UK, including the web hosting services’ best features, pros, cons, and pricing. So, what are the best WordPress UK hosting options?
1. Domain.com – Best WP Hosting for Small Sites
Best For | Small sites |
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Starting Price | £2.95/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.99% |
Load Time | 1.59s |
Top 3 Features | Customised Control Panel, Pre-Installed Themes & Plugins, Automatic Malware Removal |
Storage | Unlimited |
Pros
- Comes with useful pre-installed plugins
- Provides automatic malware removal facility
- Good uptime in several tests
- Offers a customised control panel
- Recommended for domain hosting in the UK
Cons
- Lacks some advanced features
2. Bluehost – Fastest WordPress Hosting UK
Best For | Fastest WordPress Hosting |
---|---|
Starting Price | £1.55/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.88% |
Load Time | 148ms |
Top 3 Features | Custom WP Themes, Free SSL (First Year), Free CDN |
Storage | 10GB |
Pros
- Well-laid-out user interface
- Bluehost setup is straightforward
- Dashboard includes many popular website-building tools
- Cost-effective for small business needs
- Free and paid SSL certificates integrated
- Fastest WordPress hosting for the UK
Cons
- Basic plan only allows you to host one website
3. DreamHost – Best WordPress Hosting Platform for Beginners
Best For | Beginners |
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Starting Price | £2.05/month (3 years) |
Uptime | 100% |
Load Time | 1.54s |
Top 3 Features | Unlimited Traffic, Free Automated WordPress Migrations, Free SSL Certificate |
Storage | 50GB |
Pros
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Positive customer feedback
- Provides a 100% uptime guarantee
- Straightforward to install and get started
- Best WordPress hosting for multiple sites
Cons
- Users sometimes require more integration options
4. Hostinger – Great UK WordPress Web Hosting for Small-to-Medium Businesses
Best For | Growing Businesses |
---|---|
Starting Price | £2.59/month (4 years) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 318ms |
Top 3 Features | Free Domain, Intuitive Website Builder, Great Customer Service |
Storage | 100GB |
Pros
- Lots of storage, starting at 100GB SSD
- Impressive uptime performance with a 99.9% guarantee
- Comes with a free domain and website builder
- Fast page loading
Cons
- No phone support – only live chat
5. IONOS – Best Budget WordPress Hosting
Best For | Best Budget Option |
---|---|
Starting Price | £0.79/month (6 months) |
Uptime | 99.98% |
Load Time | 765ms |
Top 3 Features | Free SSL and Domain, £50 Fiverr Voucher, Malware Scanning |
Storage | 25GB |
Pros
- Comprehensive domain dashboard
- Free Wildcard SSL certificate
- Responsive mobile app for easy domain management
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Provider of the best cheap WordPress hosting UK-wide
Cons
- Higher renewal costs
6. A2 Hosting – Fast, Secure, and Affordable UK Web Hosting
Best For | Fast, Secure & Affordable |
---|---|
Starting Price | £2.37/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 295ms |
Top 3 Features | Free & Easy Site Migration, Solid State Drive Speed Boost, Reinforced DDoS Protection |
Storage | 100GB |
Pros
- Superfast site loading with Turbo servers
- Provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Comes with free CloudFlare CDN
- Site migration is easy
Cons
- Premium plans are relatively expensive
7. InMotion – Fast and Reliable UK Web Hosting with a Long Guarantee
Best For | 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
---|---|
Starting Price | £2.61/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.99% |
Load Time | 2s |
Top 3 Features | Free Lifetime SSL, Unlimited Bandwidth, Hack & Malware Protection |
Storage | 100GB |
Pros
- Offers a free domain name with the shared business plan
- Provides a control panel-based SSL certificate at no additional cost
- Fast WordPress hosting that’s easy to backup and restore data
- Comes with a feature-rich premium site builder
Cons
- Changing pricing plans
8. Liquid Web – Best UK WordPress Hosting Provider for Easy Migrations
Best For | Easy Migrations |
---|---|
Starting Price | £13.89/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.999% |
Load Time | 912ms |
Top 3 Features | Unlimited Email Accounts, iThemes Security Pro and iThemes Sync, Beaver Builder Lite |
Storage | 15GB |
Pros
- Best for a wide range of needs, running one to 250 sites
- No traffic limits or metered pageviews
- Known for extremely fast customer support responses
- Several security features, such as firewalls, SSL, and VPN
Cons
- Slightly more expensive service
9. InterServer – Best WordPress Hosting Provider for Customer Support
Best For | Great Customer Support |
---|---|
Starting Price | £1.98/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 871ms |
Top 3 Features | Preconfigured with FastCGI, nginx, Fastest Cache Plugin Preconfigured, Optimised Heartbeat Control |
Storage | Unlimited |
Pros
- Wide range of plans
- Provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Offers free migration from other platforms
- Quick setup time
Cons
- Layouts are somewhat outdated
10. HostArmada – Best Range of WordPress Hosting Plans
Best For | Wide Range of Solutions |
---|---|
Starting Price | £1.98/month (3 years) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 130ms |
Top 3 Features | Seven Daily Backups, Free SSL for All Websites, WAF & IP Firewall |
Storage | 15GB |
Pros
- Comes with malware scanning and removal
- Offers a long 45-day money-back guarantee
- Offers free daily backups
- Migration is free
Cons
- LiteSpeed is available only with the top-tier plan
11. Namecheap – Best WordPress Hosting for the UK with 100% Uptime and Strong Security
Best For | Security |
---|---|
Starting Price | £2.26/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 2.7s |
Top 3 Features | Free Migration to EasyWP, Automatic Updates, EasyWP Cache Plugin |
Storage | 10GB |
Pros
- Provides 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Known for its fast and prompt customer support
- Makes domain registration a breeze
- Ensures security with two-factor authentication
Cons
- Cumbersome user interface
12. HostPapa – UK Best WordPress Hosting Provider for Small Business
Best For | Small Business |
---|---|
Starting Price | £2.95/month (3 years) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 1.98s |
Top 3 Features | Free Domain Registration, Jetpack Free Pre-Installed, Free & Easy Website Transfer |
Storage | 100GB |
Pros
- Strategic data centre locations
- Useful online store builder
- Quick and responsive customer support
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free automatic backups
13. Name.com – Best WordPress Hosting UK Platform for Add-Ons
Best For | Add-ons |
---|---|
Starting Price | £1.98/month (annual) |
Uptime | 99.9% |
Load Time | 2.7s |
Top 3 Features | Free Daily Backups, Unlimited Bandwidth, Theme and Plugin Support |
Storage | Unlimited |
Pros
- Easy-to-customise dashboard and cPanel
- All plans include free automated backups
- Sleek design and intuitive navigation
- Great uptime
Cons
- Basic plan has limited features
Best WordPress Hosting UK Providers Compared
Running late and don’t have time to read our detailed reviews? Fret not – I’ve compiled a short summary of the key differences between each of our top picks so that you can make an informed decision and see how much WordPress hosting costs. Here are my picks for the best hosting for WordPress in the UK.
Best Web Hosting UK for WordPress | Best For | Starting Price | Uptime | Load Time | Traffic | Storage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Domain.com | Best for small sites | £2.95/month (annual) | 99.99% | 1.59s | Customised Control Panel, Pre-Installed Themes & Plugins, Automatic Malware Removal | Unlimited |
BlueHost | Fastest WordPress Hosting | £1.55/month (annual) | 99.88% | 148ms | Custom WP Themes, Free SSL (First Year), Free CDN | 10GB |
DreamHost | Best for Beginners | £2.05/month (3 years) | 100% | 1.54s | Unlimited Traffic, Free Automated WordPress Migrations, Free SSL Certificate | 50GB |
Hostinger | Growing Businesses | £2.59/month (4 years) | 99.9% | 318ms | Free Domain, Intuitive Website Builder, Great Customer Service | 100GB |
IONOS | Best Budget Option | £0.79/month (6 months) | 99.98% | 765ms | Free SSL and Domain, £50 Fiverr Voucher, Malware Scanning | 25GB |
A2 Hosting | Fast, Secure & Affordable | £2.37/month (annual) | 99.9% | 295ms | Free & Easy Site Migration, Solid State Drive Speed Boost, Reinforced DDoS Protection | 100GB |
InMotion | Best for Long Money-Back Guarantee | £2.61/month (annual) | 99.99% | 2s | Free Lifetime SSL, Unlimited Bandwidth, Hack & Malware Protection | 100GB |
Liquid Web | Easy Migrations | £13.89/month (annual) | 99.999% | 912ms | Unlimited Email Accounts, iThemes Security Pro and iThemes Sync, Beaver Builder Lite | 15GB |
InterServer | Great Customer Support | £1.98/month (annual) | 99.9% | 871ms | Preconfigured with FastCGI, nginx, Fastest Cache Plugin Preconfigured, Optimised Heartbeat Control | Unlimited |
HostArmada | Wide Range of Solutions | £1.98/month (3 years) | 99.9% | 130ms | Seven Daily Backups, Free SSL for All Websites, WAF & IP Firewall | 15GB |
Namecheap | Security | £2.26/month (annual) | 100% | 2.7s | Free Migration to EasyWP, Automatic Updates, EasyWP Cache Plugin | 10GB |
HostPapa | Small Businesses | £2.95/month (3 years) | 99.9% | 1.98s | Free Domain Registration, Jetpack Free Pre-Installed, Free & Easy Website Transfer | 100GB |
Name.com | Add-ons | £1.98/month (annual) | 99.9% | 2.7s | Free Daily Backups, Unlimited Bandwidth, Theme and Plugin Support | Unlimited |
How We Review And Test Hosting Providers
15 Providers Tested
20 Data Points Measured
300+ Hours Testing
500+ User Reviews Read
To be able to offer our readers factual information and only the best web hosting solutions, we evaluate and test the most popular hosts in the market. Here are the main factors we focus on:
- Features: We ensure the provider includes basic features like a custom domain, an SSL, generous storage and bandwidth, and email accounts, as well as advanced tools like domain protection, staging, automated backups, and more.
- Ease of use: It’s important that, regardless of their experience managing a site, all users can quickly and easily navigate the hosting provider’s dashboard. All providers on our list either offer an easy-to-navigate custom panel or a widely used cPanel.
- Performance: We ensure the provider offers at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee and uses up-to-date and functional servers. We test this by setting up a site with each provider, testing site loading speed and traffic handling capabilities, and monitoring the uptime.
- Customer Support: We ensure that users can reach customer support 24/7 via various support channels. We also contact them to test whether the support agents are knowledgeable and efficient.
- Value for Money: We evaluate the features within the package and the price point it retails for. We only recommend plans that offer the best value for money.
What are the Benefits of WordPress Hosting?
The core benefit of WordPress hosting plans is that they’re specifically designed for the requirements of WordPress sites. So, they’re optimised for delivering fast, secure WordPress domains.
Managed WordPress hosting means that updates, performance optimisation, security work, and maintenance can be managed for you, so you don’t have to worry about it.
WordPress hosting providers generally make it very easy to create a site or to migrate an existing domain. They then give you all the tools you need, and they’ll often include automatic updates and backups, staging environments, and server management.
All of this makes web domain management far easier – and selecting one of our picks for the best web hosting in the UK for WordPress will likely make your life far simpler.
Understanding the Different Types of WordPress Hosting Available
There are a range of hosting options available for your website, and each has distinct features and benefits. Understanding these hosting types can help you decide which one best suits your website. Let’s explore the most common types of hosting:
Shared WordPress Hosting
Shared hosting is an entry-level hosting option where multiple websites are stored on the same server and share their resources, such as RAM and CPU. It’s an affordable choice for beginners and websites with limited traffic.
Shared hosting plans often come with user-friendly tools, including website builders and email services. Since resources are shared, though, performance can be affected by traffic spikes.
WordPress VPS Hosting
VPS hosting provides a middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. With a Virtual Private Server (VPS), your website is hosted within its own space on a shared physical server, giving you more customisation and storage options.
While you still share the server with other users, VPS hosting offers better control and can handle higher traffic levels.
Dedicated WordPress Hosting
Dedicated hosting provides the highest level of control and the greatest resources, as you have an entire physical server dedicated exclusively for your use.
This option is typically used by websites with high traffic and requires advanced technical knowledge for server management. Dedicated hosting offers unmatched performance but comes at a higher cost.
Cloud WordPress Hosting
Cloud hosting is a scalable solution that utilises multiple interconnected servers to distribute resources and ensure high availability.
It offers flexibility and can handle rapid growth. With cloud hosting, you only pay for the resources you use, making it cost-effective.
Managed WordPress Hosting
Managed hosting is a service specifically designed for websites built with platforms like WordPress. It provides optimised and secure environments managed by the hosting provider.
This option is ideal for non-technical users who want experts to handle server management, updates, backups, and security.
Here’s a quick summary of the different types of hosting offered by the best UK WordPress hosting services:
Hosting type | Cost | Performance | Best for |
---|---|---|---|
Shared WordPress Hosting | Affordable | Shared resources can impact performance during high-traffic periods | Small WordPress websites with low to moderate traffic |
WordPress VPS Hosting | Middling | Better performance and scalability | WordPress sites requiring more control and resources, with moderate traffic |
Dedicated WordPress Hosting | Expensive | Excellent performance and server control | Large WordPress websites with high traffic that require complete server control |
Cloud WordPress Hosting | Pay-as-you-go – scalable resources offer cost-efficiency | Highly scalable, reliable, and minimises downtime | Growing websites with fluctuating traffic and resource demands |
Managed WordPress Hosting | Premium WordPress hosting, offers convenience and support | Optimised environment, regular updates, enhanced security | Users who want hands-off management and support for their site |
Can I Host My Own Site?
While it’s possible to host your own website, it isn’t recommended for most users – and using the best WordPress hosting providers in the UK will make everything far simpler and easier.
Hosting your own site requires extensive technical knowledge, including server setup and configuration, networking, security measures, and ongoing maintenance.
Here are a few reasons why hosting your own site may not be advisable:
- Cost: Hosting your site can be expensive. You must invest in server hardware, software licenses, network infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. These costs can quickly add up, especially for small businesses and individuals.
- Technical Expertise: Hosting your own site requires high technical expertise. You need to thoroughly understand server administration, security protocols, and troubleshooting. You may encounter difficulties setting up and maintaining your website if you don’t have the necessary skills.
- Reliability and Uptime: Professional hosting providers have redundant systems, backup generators, and network infrastructure to ensure high uptime and reliability. When hosting your own site, you may face challenges in maintaining consistent uptime, especially during power outages or when facing network issues.
- Scalability: As your website grows and you attract more visitors, you may need to scale your hosting resources. With self-hosting, scalability can be complex and time-consuming. Professional hosting providers offer scalable solutions that allow you to easily adjust your resources based on your website’s needs.
- Security Risks: Keeping your website secure is crucial to protecting your data and visitors’ information. Hosting your own site requires implementing robust security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, regular updates, and backups. Failure to properly secure your server can leave your site vulnerable to cyber attacks.
- Time and Effort: Setting up, configuring, and maintaining your site from your own business laptop requires significant time and effort. As a website owner, you may prefer to focus on creating content and growing your business. Outsourcing hosting to a reputable provider allows you to save time and concentrate on your core capabilities.
How to Install WordPress on a Hosting Server
To set up a WordPress site on Domain.com:
Find the Domain
Once you’ve signed up with Domain.com, go to your Domains Dashboard and click on the domain where you would like to install WordPress.
Select the Domain
Then, select the domain you’re working on and click on the “Manage” button or the gear icon for the domain.
Get Started with WordPress
Next, click “WordPress” on the left and then “Get Started.“
Select Your Plan
You can then choose “Use Existing” if you have a plan in place or “Use Optimised Hosting” for a new site.
Enter Your Details
Next, you can set a site name and add your email, username, and password, and you can go to “Manage Site” to begin working on it – and you’re set up.
How to Choose the Best Hosting for WordPress in the UK
Choosing the right WordPress hosting service for your domain is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your website’s performance, user experience, and overall success. We’ve thoroughly tested all the providers on this list and have looked at the plans and features they offer, as well as the customer feedback they’ve received.
To make an informed choice, whether you’re looking at WordPress GoDaddy web hosting or the cheapest WordPress hosting sites, consider the following factors:
Hosting Type
Selecting the right hosting type is crucial for the success of your website. Evaluate your website’s specific requirements to determine the most suitable hosting type.
Shared hosting is cost-effective and suitable for small to medium sites with moderate traffic, while managed hosting for WordPress will automate much of the technical work.
VPS hosting is suited to growing websites with higher traffic and resource demands, while dedicated servers are best for large-scale websites and applications. Cloud hosting, meanwhile, is the most flexible and scalable option and can handle sudden traffic spikes.
It’s worth noting that having a range of plans to support additional site functionality and greater traffic volume at an affordable price is very important as you scale up.
Website Size and Traffic
Consider your website’s size and anticipated traffic load when choosing UK web hosting with WordPress. You’ll need sufficient storage space and bandwidth if your website is content-heavy with numerous pages or an extensive product catalogue.
High-traffic websites need hosting services to handle demand without compromising performance. Assess your website’s growth potential and ensure the hosting service can scale to meet your needs.
Speeds and Uptime
Website loading speed is crucial for user experience and search engine optimisation – so it’s a key detail when looking for the best UK hosting for WordPress.
Opt for a hosting provider that prioritises fast server speeds, utilises caching techniques, and offers content delivery networks (CDNs) to efficiently distribute content to users worldwide, reducing latency and improving loading times.
Also, look for hosting companies that guarantee an uptime score of 99.5% or higher to minimise downtime, provide a reliable browsing experience for your visitors, and ensure your site will load quickly and reliably.
For recommendations for region-specific hosting providers, see our guide to the best web hosting for Australia.
Reliability and Reputation
When selecting a hosting service, it’s important to prioritise reliability and reputation. Thoroughly research the provider’s track record by reading customer reviews and ratings. Look for a hosting company with a solid reputation for uptime, server stability, and customer support.
A reliable provider will have a well-maintained infrastructure and secure data centres, minimising the chance of downtime and ensuring consistent website performance.
Of course, there are also plenty of reputable services that didn’t make it to our list, like Cloudways and SiteGround, not to mention Kinsta WordPress hosting.
Pricing and Scalability
Consider both the pricing structure and scalability offered by different WordPress hosting services. Compare the initial signup costs, renewal charges, and any additional fees associated with the hosting plans to find.
The best WordPress hosting provider for the UK won’t necessarily be the cheapest option, either, but should deliver the best value for money.
Will the hosting service accommodate your site’s growth and support increased traffic, data storage, and resource demands?
Substantial storage and unmetered bandwidth are invaluable for helping you get started. Look for flexible plans and the ability to upgrade to higher-tier options as your website grows.
For higher traffic volumes, see our guide to the best VPS hosting solutions, and for affordable solutions, read our reviews of the best cheap website hosting services.
Security Features
Website security is crucial to protect your data and visitors’ privacy, so ensure your hosting service has robust security features to reduce the risk of hacking, data breaches, and other security vulnerabilities.
Look for providers that offer firewalls, malware scanning, intrusion detection systems, and regular backups. SSL certificates should also be available to encrypt data transmission between your website and users.
Additional Features and Services
Additional features and services can also greatly enhance your website’s functionality and the user experience you deliver.
Look for user-friendly control panels for easy management of your hosting account and automatic WordPress installation.
Other useful features include website builders, domain registration services, email hosting, ecommerce capabilities, and marketing tools.
Customer Support
Having high-quality customer service available is crucial when choosing a hosting service. Technical issues or questions can arise at any time, so it’s important to have reliable and accessible support.
Prompt and knowledgeable assistance can save you time and frustration when troubleshooting problems, so look for hosting providers that offer 24/7 customer support through multiple channels such as live chat, phone, or email.
You can also check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the provider’s reputation for customer support, ensuring you have a responsive and helpful team to rely on.
Conclusion – What is the Best Hosting for WordPress in the UK?
Picking a top hosting service is no easy task since you need to consider multiple factors. To help you choose the best option, I’ve tested over 20 of the leading providers and compared them across criteria like features, ease of use, affordability, and performance.
While all entries on my list excel in these areas, I recommend Domain.com as the best WordPress hosting service for the UK.
With a 99.99% uptime guarantee, pre-installed themes and plugins, and great performance, it helps you get your website up and running in no time. In addition, you get continuous marketing support from Domain.com’s experts to monetize your efforts as quickly as possible.
FAQs
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References
- Benefits of high availability (IBM)
- What is Cloud Hosting and What you need to know (Academia.edu)
- Securing Network Infrastructure Devices (CISA)
- General Web Application Security Strategies (Georgia Tech Cyber Security)