The Best Web Hosting in the UK for Under £35 in 2025: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Launching a website is one of the most exciting steps you can take, whether you’re starting a blog, building a business, or showcasing your portfolio. But for many beginners and small business owners, the world of web hosting can seem complex and, frankly, expensive.

The good news? You don’t need to break the bank to get reliable, fast, and feature-packed hosting. In fact, you can secure top-tier UK web hosting for under £35 per year.

This definitive guide for 2025 will cut through the noise. We’ll compare the best budget-friendly hosting providers, break down exactly what you get for your money, and walk you through the process of getting your website online, step-by-step.

Why Choosing the Right UK Web Host Matters

Your web host is your website’s foundation. A good host ensures:

• Speed: Fast loading times are critical for user experience and Google rankings.
• Uptime: Your website should be available 24/7. Look for providers offering 99.9% uptime or higher.
• Security: Protection against malware, DDoS attacks, and included SSL certificates are non-negotiable.
• Support: When something goes wrong (and it can!), you need quick, knowledgeable support.
• Local Data Centres: For a UK audience, a hosting provider with data centres in London or elsewhere in the UK means faster load times for your visitors.

Best UK Web Hosting Providers Under £35/Year (2025 Edition)

After extensive research and testing, these are our top picks for affordable, high-value web hosting in the UK.

1. IONOS by 1&1 – The All-Rounder Value King

Best for: Small businesses and beginners who need a complete package.
Pricing: £1.00/month for the first 12 months, then £8.00/month. (~£12 for the first year).

IONOS consistently offers one of the most aggressive introductory deals on the market. For literally a pound a month, you get an incredible amount of value.

• Key Features: Includes a free domain for the first year, professional email address, Wildcard SSL certificate, and a website builder.
• Performance: Data centres in London, ensuring great performance for UK users.
• Why we love it: It’s a no-brainer for year one. You get everything you need to start professionally for less than the cost of a lunch meal deal.

Visit IONOS UK for this deal.

2. ScalaHosting – The Performance & Security Powerhouse

Best for: Those who prioritise cutting-edge technology and security.
Pricing: £2.49/month for the Start plan on a 36-month term. (~£107.64 total, ~£35.88 per year).

ScalaHosting is a favourite among tech-savvy users for its innovative SPanel (a direct alternative to cPanel) and fantastic security features.

• Key Features: Includes SShield Security (24/7 real-time monitoring that blocks 99.998% of web attacks), free SSL, free CDN, and free website migration.
• Performance: Their services are optimised for speed and include free daily backups. They have data centres across Europe, with excellent routing to the UK.
• Why we love it: The proactive security is unparalleled at this price point, giving you immense peace of mind.

Visit ScalaHosting for more details.

3. Hostinger – The Feature-Packed Budget Option

Best for: Beginners and developers looking for the most features per pound.
Pricing: £1.79/month for the Single Shared Hosting plan on a 48-month term. (~£85.92 total, ~£21.48 per year).

Hostinger is renowned for its incredibly low prices without skimping on features. Their custom control panel is sleek and user-friendly.

• Key Features: Free SSL certificate, a free email account for your first month, and access to a website builder. Higher-tier plans include a free domain.
• Performance: Uses LiteSpeed caching technology for impressive speed and has a data centre in London.
• Why we love it: It’s arguably the cheapest way to get a quality website online without sacrificing essential features.

Visit Hostinger UK to see their plans.

4. Namecheap – The Simple & Transparent Choice

Best for: Those who hate upsells and want straightforward, honest pricing.
Pricing: £1.28/month for the Stellar plan on a 12-month term. (~£15.36 for the first year, renews at ~£38.16/year).

Namecheap lives up to its name but also delivers on quality. Their pricing is clear, and they are known for their excellent customer support and commitment to privacy.

• Key Features: Includes free domain privacy (whoisguard) to protect your personal information, free SSL, and an easy-to-use cPanel.
• Performance: Reliable uptime and solid speeds with a data centre in the UK.
• Why we love it: The renewal prices are still very fair, and there are no hidden tricks. What you see is what you get.

Visit Namecheap to check their hosting.

Comparison Table: UK Budget Hosting (2025)

Feature	IONOS	ScalaHosting	Hostinger	Namecheap
Intro Price/Year	~£12	~£36	~£21	~£15
Renewal Price/Year	~£96	~£36	~£107*	~£38
Free Domain	Yes (1st yr)	No	On higher plans	No
UK Data Centre	Yes	Yes (EU)	Yes	Yes
Free SSL	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Email Accounts	1	Unlimited	1	Unlimited
Key Strength	Complete 1st-yr package	Proactive Security	Low intro price	Transparency

**Hostinger’s renewal is high on the 4-year term used for the intro price. Opting for a shorter term changes the calculus.*

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Hosted in 2025

Follow these steps to get your website online quickly and without stress.

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Plan

Based on the comparisons above, select the provider that best fits your needs.

• Need the absolute cheapest first year? Go with IONOS.
• Worried about security and want stable pricing? ScalaHosting is your pick.
• Want a balance of low cost and features? Hostinger is fantastic.
• Value simplicity and no-nonsense pricing? Namecheap is a safe bet.

Step 2: Register a Domain Name

Your domain is your website’s address (e.g., yourbusiness.co.uk).

• If your chosen host offers a free domain for the first year (like IONOS), you can register it during the sign-up process.
• If not, you can register a domain separately from a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy UK, and then point it to your hosting provider.

Pro Tip: Choose a .co.uk or .uk domain for a local feel, or a .com for a global audience. Keep it short, memorable, and relevant to your brand.

Step 3: Sign Up and Create Your Account

Click the “Get Started” or “Add to Cart” button on your chosen host’s website.

• Select your plan: The basic shared hosting plan is almost always enough to start.
• Choose your term: The longest term (e.g., 36-48 months) usually offers the best monthly price, locking in the discount. If you’re unsure, a 12-month term is a good compromise.
• Register your domain or enter an existing one you own.

Step 4: Configure Your Hosting Package

You’ll be asked to review add-ons. Be careful here—this is how costs can creep up.

• Essential: SSL Certificate (should be free and auto-enabled).
• Usually Optional (Can Skip): Website builder upgrades, premium support tiers, advanced security suites (for now), and dedicated IP addresses.
• You can always add these features later if you find you need them.

Step 5: Make Payment and Verify

Enter your payment details and complete the purchase. Check your email for a confirmation message and verify your account if required. This is a standard security step.

Step 6: Install WordPress (or Another Platform)

Most hosts offer a one-click installer for popular website platforms.

1. Log in to your hosting account’s dashboard (cPanel, SPanel, or custom panel).
2. Find the “Softaculous” or “WordPress Manager” icon.
3. Click it, select WordPress, and follow the installation wizard.
4. Choose your domain name to install it on, set your admin username and password, and click Install.

Congratulations! Your website is now live. You can access your WordPress dashboard by going to yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Final Verdict

Finding quality UK web hosting under £35 per year is not only possible but easy in 2025.

• For the ultimate first-year bargain with a free domain and email, IONOS is unbeatable.
• For long-term value and superior security, ScalaHosting is our top recommendation.

Don’t let analysis paralysis stop you. Choose a provider from this list, follow the step-by-step guide, and you’ll have a fast, secure, and reliable foundation for your online presence without blowing your budget.

Ready to launch? Check out IONOS’s £1/month deal here to get started today!

Disclaimer: Pricing and features are accurate as of early 2025 and are subject to change by the providers. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date information and terms. Introductory prices typically apply to the initial term and will renew at a higher standard rate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is web hosting under £35/year reliable, or do I get what I pay for?

This is a common and valid concern. While the adage “you get what you pay for” often holds true, the intense competition in the web hosting market means providers offer massive introductory discounts to attract new customers. The services we recommend (IONOS, ScalaHosting, Hostinger, Namecheap) are established, reputable companies.

Their budget plans are reliable for small to medium-sized websites, blogs, and online portfolios. They almost always include essential features like a free SSL certificate and promise 99.9% uptime. The low price is a marketing tool to get you in the door; the reliability comes from their established infrastructure.

2. What’s the catch with these incredibly low introductory prices?

The main “catch” is the renewal price. Providers like IONOS and Hostinger offer a massive discount for your first term (e.g., 12, 24, or 48 months). When it’s time to renew, the price will jump to the standard, higher rate.

• Always check the renewal price before purchasing. Budget for this increase down the line.
• Some plans may not include a free domain renewal after the first year, which is an additional cost to consider.

The goal for the host is to provide a great service so that you’re happy to stay with them even at the higher renewal rate.

3. Why is having a UK data centre important for my website?

A UK data centre is crucial for performance and SEO. The physical distance between the server and your website’s visitors affects loading speed.

• Faster Load Times: When your host’s servers are in London, your data has a much shorter distance to travel to reach a user in Manchester than if it were in the USA. This reduces latency and makes your site feel snappier.
• Better SEO Rankings: Google and other search engines use site speed as a ranking factor. A faster site provides a better user experience, which can lead to higher rankings in UK-specific search results.

4. I already have a domain name registered elsewhere. Can I still use these hosts?

Absolutely. This is a very common scenario. The process is simple:

1. Sign up for your chosen hosting plan. When prompted, select the option that says you already have a domain or want to connect it later.
2. After signing up, you will need to change your domain’s nameservers. You do this through your domain registrar’s control panel (where you bought the domain).
3. Your new web host will provide you with their nameserver addresses (e.g., ns1.yourhost.com, ns2.yourhost.com). Simply replace the current nameservers at your registrar with these new ones.

The change can take up to 24-48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, but your hosting provider can often guide you through the process.

5. What happens if I outgrow my cheap shared hosting plan?

This is a good problem to have—it means your website is getting more traffic!
All the providers recommended offer clear and easy upgrade paths. If your site starts to receive high traffic or needs more resources, you can typically upgrade your plan with a few clicks within the same hosting company. Common upgrade options include:

• More powerful Shared Hosting: Higher-tier plans with more CPU, RAM, and storage.
• VPS (Virtual Private Server) Hosting: A virtualised server with dedicated resources, giving you more power and control.
• Cloud Hosting: A scalable solution where resources can be adjusted on demand.

Migrating from a shared plan to a VPS on the same platform is often seamless and handled by the host’s support team.