Please recommend a UK based web hosting company
April 29, 2013 2:36 AM   Subscribe

It has been a few years since I last needed to own a website - the need has arisen again and I am looking for recommendations for a decent UK based hosting company. Thanks!
posted by kenchie to Computers & Internet (14 answers total)
 
What kind of hosting? Static files, php, python? Shared server?
posted by devnull at 3:27 AM on April 29, 2013


Response by poster: I'll just be registering and parking a domain name for now, and maybe using an email address with it. Eventually it will be hosted elsewhere as a photo portfolio site redirecting from the parked domain.
posted by kenchie at 3:37 AM on April 29, 2013


I'm using FastHosts.co.uk as a registrar, and they're pretty good at that.
However I found their hosting service awkward and a bit unfriendly.
It may have just been a frustrating customer service interaction though.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:39 AM on April 29, 2013


I've used TSOHost for a couple of clients with similarly small needs, and they've been very good thus far, and are very affordable.
posted by Magnakai at 3:58 AM on April 29, 2013


I've found 123-reg to be extremely good for the domain registration/parking thing. Their control panel is exceptionally clear, has everything you'll need, and they're good about reminding you of renewals etc.

Usually best to keep hosting and domain separate.

I went with Google Apps for my email. It's much less hassle than renting server space.
posted by pipeski at 4:02 AM on April 29, 2013


Also, I've had a fairly good experience with Xilo for the hosting side of things.
posted by pipeski at 4:03 AM on April 29, 2013


I also use google apps for email and for ad hoc sites. It works relatively well but I don't think I'd want to rely on it for any properly public facing site.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:59 AM on April 29, 2013


Seconding 123-reg, I have used them for years for domain registration and never had any problems. They're pretty good value for .co.uk domains as well.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 5:11 AM on April 29, 2013


I'm quite happy with Tso Host for the 3-4 small WordPress sitesiI've set up. Reliable, inexpensive, very good customer service.
posted by tavegyl at 6:19 AM on April 29, 2013


Evohosting.
posted by chicxulub at 9:00 AM on April 29, 2013


I've been with Open Hosting for over 10 years now and have never had any complaints. Helpful and fast support. They're a Windows host so don't offer much in the way of PHP if you ever need to go that route.
posted by IncognitoErgoSum at 9:08 AM on April 29, 2013


I had a domain with 123 reg for a while. It was fine, but transferring away from them was a hassle and their documentation about the procedure on their end was hard to find, and wrong. Also, they've been known to add hidden costs during the checkout process (example right at the top of this page), which isn't very nice.
posted by bjrn at 7:57 AM on April 30, 2013


I use Tsohost too and I've found their customer service and the hosting itself to be great value for money. Let me know if you want a discount code!

It's probably worthwhile getting your domain from elsewhere. Eggs in one basket and all that. I use Daily for all my .co.uk domains, and DomainMonster for .com.

Stay away from 123-reg btw. A client used their hosting and it was taking 22 seconds for a Wordpress site to load. Same site takes 1.8 on Tso... Their customer service doesn't bode well for domains either.
posted by 999 at 9:12 AM on April 30, 2013


I definitely recommend 123-reg for buying/parking domains, but not for hosting.

I use Nimbus Hosting for server hosting - excellent customer service and no downtime in the first 12 months.
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 1:41 AM on May 2, 2013


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