Names.co.uk Reviews
When I started looking into building and managing websites in the UK, Names.co.uk was one of the first platforms I came across. But in 2026, is it still a reliable and cost-effective choice for domains, hosting, and website building?
In this review, I’ll walk you through everything Names.co.uk offers, from web hosting performance and domain pricing to its AI website builder and UK-based customer support.
Whether you’re launching your very first website or thinking about switching from another provider, I’ve put together this honest, data-driven breakdown to help you decide if it’s the right fit.
Here’s what I’ll cover in this guide:
- UK-based support backed by 25+ years of industry experience
- Solid hosting performance with a beginner-friendly dashboard
- An AI-assisted website builder for non-technical users
- Domain registration with free .co.uk options and clear pricing
- Real user reviews, including common complaints
- Who Names.co.uk is best suited for, small UK businesses, freelancers, and startups
What Is Names.co.uk?
Names.co.uk is a long-established UK-based domain name and web hosting provider offering everything needed to build, manage, and grow an online business. While domain registration and hosting are at the core of their services, Names.co.uk has expanded into a full digital platform covering email, website building, servers, security, and online marketing tools.
Founded in 1997, Names.co.uk has been operating since the early days of the dot-com boom, giving the company decades of industry experience. Their focus is on providing reliable infrastructure, practical tools, and accessible support for everyone from complete beginners to developers, businesses, and resellers.
Rather than positioning itself as a niche or budget-only provider, Names.co.uk aims to be an all-in-one solution for UK users who want a single provider for domains, hosting, and online services.
Names.co.uk Is Best Known For
- Domain registration with 500+ TLDs and over 5 million domains managed
- Web hosting for personal sites, businesses, and developers
- Website builder and “Build Me a Website” service for hands-off setups
- Business email, Microsoft 365, and professional email hosting
- Managed servers, SSD VPS, and dedicated hosting
- Online security tools including SSL certificates
- SEO and online marketing services
- UK-based customer support available 7 days a week
From registering a domain to running e-commerce sites or managing servers, Names.co.uk positions itself as a provider that covers the full online journey under one roof.
Who Owns Names.co.uk?
Names.co.uk operates as part of team. blue, a large European technology and hosting group. While Names.co.uk delivers local UK-based service and support, it benefits from the scale, infrastructure, and resources of an international organisation.
Group Overview (team.blue):
- 5M+ domain names managed
- 2M+ active customers across Europe
- 1,500+ employees
- Market presence in 10+ European countries
This structure allows Names.co.uk to combine UK-based customer service with enterprise-grade technology and platforms used across Europe.
Why Choose Names.co.uk for Reliable, Expert-Led Web Solutions?
Choosing the right online services provider can have a lasting impact on your website’s performance and your business growth. That’s why we combine dependable technology with real, human support, making it easier to get online, stay online, and scale with confidence.
- Powerful, flexible web solutions built to adapt as your needs grow
- Friendly, approachable people who offer clear, practical advice
- Online tutorials and step-by-step guides to help you stay in control
- Expert support, every day, available when you need it most
- A reliable network and services designed for stability and uptime
- Endorsed by hosting experts, so you can trust your choice
Our focus is on removing complexity and delivering consistent, stress-free web services that support your success at every stage.
How Does Names.co.uk Perform Across Key Hosting Factors?
To assess how Names.co.uk stands out in the UK hosting market in 2026, we’ve examined each of its core services, including shared hosting, email, WordPress, website builder, and domain management, in terms of features, performance, support, transparency, and overall value.
This breakdown aims to give UK users a clear, unbiased picture of how Names.co.uk performs, and where it fits among the top hosting providers today.
⭐ Web Hosting with Names.co.uk – 4.6/5
Names.co.uk’s shared web hosting offers fast SSD storage, a free domain, and an AI-powered experience for users building their first site. While introductory pricing is very low (from £0.99), the renewals are notably higher, a common trait across big-name providers.
Where Names.co.uk stands out is its bundled features: free SSL, malware protection, unlimited bandwidth, and daily backups are all included. For non-technical users, their control panel (WePanel) is clean and simple.
Performance Boost is included in every plan, and hosting is powered by 100% renewable energy, which is a growing priority for many small UK businesses in 2026.
Key Features:
- SSD-powered UK hosting
- Free domain & SSL with all plans
- AI-enhanced control panel (WePanel)
- Daily or hourly backups (based on plan)
- Security Shield & DDOS protection
- Free AI Website Builder included on top-tier plans
- Unlimited bandwidth and visitor stats
- UK-based support, 7 days a week
Web Hosting Plans (Monthly – incl. Intro Offer)
Plan First Month Renewal Websites Storage Free SSL Backups
Beginner £0.99 £9.99 1 25GB No Daily (1x)
Enthusiast £2.00 £13.99 5 50GB Yes Daily (7x)
Pro £2.00 £18.99 25 75GB Yes Daily (14x)
Pro-XL £5.00 £32.99 50 150GB Yes Daily (28x) + AI Builder
Names.co.uk’s shared hosting is a solid choice for UK users who want an all-in-one package with plenty of room to grow.
While the renewal prices are steeper than indie hosts like Freeola or Krystal, the level of bundling, automation, and support makes it suitable for non-technical SMEs, freelancers, or sole traders.
⭐ Reseller Hosting – 4.4/5
For web designers or agencies, Names.co.uk’s reseller platform offers an unlimited hosting environment powered by SSD servers, and full support for both Linux and Windows.
While the £65.99/month price tag is higher than budget competitors, it includes unlimited accounts, unlimited bandwidth, and no hidden fees, appealing for businesses wanting to white-label hosting and support their own clients.
Key Features:
- Unlimited hosting accounts & websites
- Linux & Windows options
- White-labelled control panel
- No setup or admin fees
- Easy customer account creation & management
- Personal branding with logos, colours, and pricing
- Resell email, hosting, and domains
A great fit for freelancers, developers, and design agencies looking to build recurring revenue through managed services. The rebrandable panel and flexible pricing allow full control over the customer experience.
⭐ WePanel Hosting by Names.co.uk – 4.4/5
WePanel Hosting is Names.co.uk’s in-house hosting platform, designed for users who want more control, flexibility, and performance without moving into fully managed servers. In 2026, it positions itself as a premium shared hosting solution, blending modern infrastructure with an intuitive custom control panel.
Unlike entry-level hosting, WePanel focuses on speed, scalability, and hands-on management. All plans run on SSD-powered infrastructure and include advanced tools such as SSH access, reseller features, backups, and an AI Site Assistant for quick website creation. It’s clearly aimed at growing businesses, developers, and power users rather than absolute beginners.
Key Features:
- High-speed SSD hosting for faster load times
- Custom WePanel Control Panel (Linux)
- AI Site Assistant for instant website creation
- Linux or Windows hosting options
- Free domain name included*
- Built-in backup and restore tools
- Advanced security: SSL, DDoS protection, ModSecurity, 2FA
- 1-click installs for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento
- UK-based support, available 7 days a week
WePanel Hosting Plans (Monthly, ex. VAT)
Plan Price Best For Key Limits
Starter £14.99 Single websites 1 domain, 50GB space, 10 emails
Professional £20.99 Small businesses 5 domains, 300GB space, 100 emails
Premium £25.99 Agencies & resellers Unlimited domains, space & emails
WePanel Hosting is a powerful, feature-rich platform best suited to UK businesses, agencies, and developers who want control, performance, and scalability. It’s not the cheapest option, but the tools, flexibility, and UK-based support justify the price for serious website owners.
⭐ WordPress Hosting (Managed) – 4.5/5
For WordPress users, Names.co.uk offers fully managed hosting with pre-installed WordPress, automated plugin updates, and built-in security.
While prices are higher than average (especially after the intro period), the plans include generous storage, staging environments, and daily backups.
The AI integration for WordPress also makes setup and content generation easier, especially for first-time users.
Key Features:
- Free domain + SSL + 30GB–250GB SSD
- Daily or hourly backups
- Multiple test environments (Professional & Premium)
- Auto updates for plugins & themes
- AI Site Assistant included
- Malware protection & caching
- LiteSpeed Cache for fast loading
WordPress Hosting Plans
Plan Intro Price Renewal Storage Test Sites Backups AI Tools
Starter £1.00 £9.99 30GB 1 14x Daily Optional
Professional £21.99 — 100GB 2 30x Daily Full Suite
Premium £40.99 — 250GB 3 30x Daily Full Suite
Names.co.uk’s managed WordPress platform is ideal for businesses needing ease, not complexity. With test environments, AI setup tools, and plugin updates handled for you, it takes the stress out of site ownership. Less ideal for developers who prefer more backend control.
⭐ Managed WordPress – 4.5/5
Names.co.uk Managed WordPress is built for users who want a professional WordPress website without the hassle of day-to-day maintenance. In 2026, it stands out as a convenience-focused solution, combining AI-powered site creation, strong security, and fully managed updates in one package.
Key Features:
- AI-powered WordPress website creation
- Automatic WordPress & plugin updates
- Hourly automated backups with 1-click restore
- Free domain name & SSL certificate
- SSD storage with performance boost
- Malware protection & security shield
- Staging/test environments
- Unlimited data transfer
- Easy-to-use control panel
- UK-based support, 7 days a week
A major advantage is that essentials like security, backups, updates, SSL, and caching are bundled, removing the need for third-party plugins or manual management.
Names.co.uk Managed WordPress Plans
Plan Monthly Price Best For Key Features
Starter £0.99 first month, then £10.99 Beginners & small sites 30GB SSD, daily backups, free domain & SSL
Professional £22.99 Growing businesses 100GB SSD, staging, more backups & email
Premium £42.99 High-traffic sites 250GB SSD, multiple staging environments
Overall, Names.co.uk Managed WordPress is a strong choice for UK freelancers, small businesses, and non-technical users who want a fast launch, minimal admin, and dependable managed hosting, without worrying about WordPress maintenance.
⭐ Managed WooCommerce – 4.6/5
Names.co.uk Managed WooCommerce is built for entrepreneurs who want a fast, secure online shop without dealing with technical setup or ongoing maintenance. In 2026, it stands out for its AI-assisted store creation, hands-off updates, and performance tuning specifically for WooCommerce.
Instead of wrestling with themes, plugins, and optimisation, the AI Site Assistant creates a ready-to-sell shop layout and starter content from a few simple prompts. From there, Names.co.uk manages WordPress, WooCommerce, and plugin updates, testing compatibility before rolling them out to reduce breakages.
Hosting runs on SSD infrastructure with LiteSpeed caching, unlimited bandwidth, automated backups, and built-in security. It’s not aimed at enterprise-scale WooCommerce stores, but it’s an excellent fit for UK startups and growing online retailers who value speed and simplicity.
Key Features:
- AI-powered WooCommerce store setup
- Automatic WordPress, WooCommerce & plugin updates
- Hourly automated backups with 1-click restore
- LiteSpeed Cache for faster shop pages
- Free domain name & SSL certificate
- SSD storage with performance boost
- Malware & hacker protection (Security Shield)
- Staging/test environments
- Unlimited bandwidth for traffic spikes
- UK-based ecommerce support, 7 days a week
A major advantage is that updates, security, backups, caching, and core plugins are all included, reducing reliance on third-party tools.
Names.co.uk Managed WooCommerce Plans
Plan Monthly Price Best For Key Features
Starter £1 first month, then £10.99 New shops & side projects 30GB SSD, daily backups, free domain & SSL
Professional £1 first month, then £22.99 Growing online stores 100GB SSD, staging, more backups & email
Premium £1 first month, then £42.99 Busy WooCommerce sites 250GB SSD, multiple staging environments
Overall, Managed WooCommerce with Names.co.uk is ideal for UK entrepreneurs, small ecommerce brands, and time-poor founders who want a fast, secure shop with minimal admin, letting them focus on sales, not server management.
⭐ AI Website Builder & Site Assistant – 4.7/5
Names.co.uk’s AI-powered website builder is one of the most modern and beginner-friendly tools currently available. It’s aimed squarely at users who want to launch a professional, custom-looking site without needing to touch a line of code.
The AI Site Assistant asks tailored questions about your business, then generates content, layouts, images, and even plugin suggestions. It can also manage ongoing edits, saving time and stress.
Perfect for first-time website owners, especially those wanting a business presence without hiring a designer.
Key Features:
- AI-generated content & page layouts
- 1-click templates for blogs, shops, portfolios
- E-commerce features included (on higher tiers)
- AI image and text assistant included
- Mobile responsive designs
- 150+ pre-built sections for easy customisation
- SEO tools and Google integration
- Sell with AI-enhanced WooCommerce setup
AI Website Builder Plans
Plan Intro Price Renewal Pages Storage E-commerce? AI Tools
Standard £2.99 £18.99 50 2GB No Basic
Business £9.99 £25.99 Unlimited 5GB Basic Shop Full
Ecommerce £29.99 £43.99 Unlimited 15GB Advanced Shop Full + Multi-Currency
The AI Site Assistant is one of the best in the UK market today, intuitive, flexible, and capable of launching a shop or service site in under an hour.
It’s perfect for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and tradespeople who need a great-looking site without developer costs.
⭐ Domain Names – 4.3/5
Names.co.uk includes a free domain with most hosting and email plans, and offers a wide selection of popular TLDs.
Renewal pricing is on par with UK averages, and all domains include free DNS control, email forwarding, and WHOIS privacy.
Key Features:
- Free domain with hosting or builder plans
- .co.uk, .com, .net, .org, and more
- Full DNS control
- WHOIS privacy included
- Free web forwarding
- Easy domain transfer support
Reliable and straightforward domain registration with all the essentials included. Not as cheap as niche providers like GetDotted or 123 Reg on renewals, but bundled value with hosting makes it a strong offering.
⭐ Build Me a Website (Done-for-You Service) – 4.2/5
For users who don’t want to build their own site, Names.co.uk offers a “Build Me a Website” service, including content, design, and maintenance.
Starting from £299.99, it’s not the cheapest route, but turnaround is fast (3 days for Rapid), and the monthly maintenance includes 2 hours of edits per month.
Key Features:
- Built-for-you websites with content & design
- Mobile responsive & SEO friendly
- Monthly maintenance options
- Choose up to 10 pages + e-commerce features
- Free consultation included
Website Packages
Plan Setup Fee Pages Delivery Time Monthly Fee
Rapid Website £299.99 1 3 days Optional
Starter Website £418.99 5 4 weeks £35.99
Professional £659.99 10 4 weeks £35.99
Website & Shop £778.99 10 4 weeks £35.99
A solid service for users with no time or desire to DIY. Ideal for tradespeople, startups, or professionals who want a polished website with zero hassle, but the recurring monthly fee could add up over time.
⭐ Email Hosting with Names.co.uk – 4.4/5
Names.co.uk Email Hosting is designed for UK businesses that want a professional, reliable email presence without complexity. In 2026, it stands out for combining unlimited email addresses, strong spam protection, and flexible storage options with simple pricing and UK-based support.
Using a personalised business email address helps create trust and credibility, while built-in WebMail and calendar tools make day-to-day communication and scheduling easy to manage as your business grows.
Key Features:
- Unlimited email addresses on all plans
- WebMail with calendar and contact management
- Customisable spam and anti-virus filtering
- Scalable storage as your business grows
- Professional business email on your own domain
- Optional Microsoft Exchange with sync & archiving
- UK-based infrastructure and support
A key advantage is flexibility: you can start small and scale users or storage without migrating providers or changing systems.
Names.co.uk Email Hosting Plans
Plan Monthly Price Best For Key Features
Starter £1 first month, then £9.99 Sole traders & startups 5GB mailbox, WebMail, spam protection
Professional £14.99 per user Small teams 20GB mailbox, calendar, scalable setup
Premium £22.99 per user Growing businesses 50GB mailbox, advanced filtering
Microsoft Exchange £30.99 per user Corporate users 100GB mailbox, sync, unlimited archive
Overall, Names.co.uk Email Hosting is a strong choice for UK freelancers, SMEs, and professional services that want dependable business email, clear pricing, and room to grow without unnecessary complexity.
⭐ Managed VPS with Names.co.uk – 4.4/5
Managed VPS hosting from Names.co.uk is tailored for growing UK businesses that want the power of dedicated resources without the overhead of server admin. Built on premium hardware with 100% renewable energy data centres, the service is backed by 24/7 monitoring, health checks, and expert support to keep websites running smoothly.
Each VPS plan is bundled with Plesk control panel, ideal for managing up to 30 websites with ease. The higher-tier plans come with increased RAM, vCPUs, and disk space, suitable for agencies, developers, and eCommerce stores who need consistent performance and low latency.
Key Features:
- Fully managed platform – OS, patches, and security handled
- 24/7 health monitoring & UK expert support
- Plesk Web Admin or Pro panel (10–30 domains)
- Unlimited bandwidth across all tiers
- Green data centre hosting (ISO certified)
- Dedicated CPU and RAM allocations
Managed VPS Plans – Monthly Pricing
Plan Price/Month vCPU RAM Storage Panel Type Domains Bandwidth
VPS N2 £70.99 2 4GB 100GB Plesk Web Admin 10 Unlimited
VPS N4 £92.99 4 8GB 200GB Plesk Web Pro 30 Unlimited
VPS N8 £114.99 8 16GB 400GB Plesk Web Pro 30 Unlimited
VPS N16 £136.99 16 32GB 400GB Plesk Web Pro 30 Unlimited
Verdict:
Names.co.uk’s Managed VPS is a strong choice for businesses that don’t want to deal with the hassle of server maintenance. With generous specs, unlimited bandwidth, and real-time support, it’s ideal for developers, agencies, or SMEs scaling beyond shared hosting.
However, the pricing is on the higher side compared to independent UK providers offering similar resources (e.g. Krystal, 20i).
⭐ Self-Managed VPS with Names.co.uk – 4.3/5
Names.co.uk’s Self-Managed VPS is designed for experienced users or developers who want root access, flexibility, and full control. Built on a robust Pure SSD platform, it supports high-performance apps and traffic-heavy sites at a more accessible price point compared to managed plans.
Each VPS includes automated 4-hour backups, snapshot support, and a high-availability network with 99.99% uptime guarantee. With bandwidth up to 50TB/month, it’s suitable for anything from staging environments to production workloads.
Key Features:
- Root-level access for total control
- Pure SSD storage for enhanced I/O performance
- Hourly backup schedule with snapshot support
- Scalable plans up to 16GB RAM and 8 vCPU
- 100% network uptime SLA with UK infrastructure
- Built by hosting engineers, no bloatware or gimmicks
Self-Managed VPS Plans – Monthly Pricing
Plan Price/Month vCPU RAM Storage Bandwidth
XS £14.99 1 2GB 75GB 2TB
S £21.99 2 4GB 150GB 5TB
M £39.99 4 8GB 300GB 10TB
L £63.99 8 16GB 500GB 50TB
If you’re comfortable managing your own server and want more control at a lower cost, Names.co.uk’s self-managed VPS delivers excellent value for devs, staging setups, and advanced users. However, those needing hands-off support or Plesk integration will find more value in their Managed VPS options.
⭐ Managed Dedicated Servers with Names.co.uk – 4.2/5
For high-demand businesses, Names.co.uk offers fully managed dedicated servers with enterprise-class specs and Plesk Web Host Edition included. These plans are best suited to hosting providers, large agencies, or businesses running mission-critical apps and heavy workloads.
While prices aren’t listed publicly (enquiry only), the specs are substantial, including up to 20 cores, 64GB RAM, and 30TB bandwidth. ISO-certified infrastructure and a choice of RAID configurations add another layer of reliability.
Key Features:
- Hardware-level isolation & enterprise CPU options
- RAID storage arrays for redundancy
- Plesk Web Host Edition for multi-domain control
- Free SSL (1st year) with Wildcard options
- Optional hardware firewall
- 1Gbp/s ports and dual redundant networks
Managed Dedicated Servers – Key Specs
Plan CPU Cores RAM Storage Bandwidth SSL Included
Startup Intel Xeon E-2224 @ 3.4GHz 4 16GB 1 x 1TB 10TB RapidSSL (1st Year)
Business Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 @ 2.2GHz 10 32GB 4 x 1TB (RAID) 20TB RapidSSL (1st Year)
Enterprise Dual Xeon Silver 4210 @ 2.2GHz 20 64GB 4 x 2TB (RAID) 30TB Wildcard SSL (1st Yr)
Names.co.uk’s managed dedicated servers are clearly aimed at high-value business users or hosting resellers. While you get a Plesk-powered experience with reliable specs and support, the need to enquire for pricing may deter users who prefer transparent shopping or comparison. Still, it’s a dependable solution for enterprise clients seeking UK-hosted infrastructure.
What Common Issues Do Names.co.uk Users Face?
Users of Names.co.uk most often report issues related to billing, support response times, and shared hosting performance. These are common challenges across many long-running hosting providers and are well documented in user reviews.
Common Issues
- Billing & renewals: Auto-renewals, failed payments, or refund delays
- Technical support: Mixed response times; quality depends on case urgency
- Website speed: Slower performance on shared hosting plans
- WordPress issues: Plugin conflicts causing errors or downtime
- Account access: Difficulty cancelling services or updating settings
Common Fixes & Workarounds
- Billing issues: Check renewal settings early and monitor invoices
- Support delays: Call during business hours or raise a priority ticket
- DNS problems: Verify records and test across networks
- Performance issues: Optimise plugins or upgrade hosting plans
Overall Takeaway
Feedback is mixed but balanced. Many long-term users praise helpful UK-based staff, while others experience frustration with billing or performance. Most issues are routine and can be resolved with the right support channel and setup.
How Good Is Help & Customer Support at Names.co.uk?
Strong customer support is one of the key reasons many users choose Names.co.uk. Instead of relying on overseas call centres, the company offers fully UK-based support, with local teams operating from the heart of the Midlands.
This makes communication easier, especially for UK businesses that prefer speaking to someone who understands local requirements and working hours.
Support is available through multiple channels, giving customers flexibility depending on the urgency of their issue. You can call a local-rate phone number to speak directly with a support advisor during office hours, or raise a support ticket online at any time. This ensures help is always accessible, even outside standard working hours.
Names.co.uk also provides expert assistance seven days a week, offering peace of mind that help is available whenever you need it. For users who prefer self-service, the online Support Centre includes clear guides, tutorials, and practical tips to help resolve common issues quickly and independently.
What Do Customers Say About Names.co.uk?
Names.co.uk has built a long-standing reputation in the UK hosting space, and customer feedback largely reflects that history. On Trustpilot, Names.co.uk holds a TrustScore of 4.2 out of 5, based on 5,400+ verified reviews. As with most hosting providers, reviews reflect a mix of long-term loyalty, strong support experiences, and occasional service frustrations.
Trustpilot also confirms that companies cannot pay to hide negative reviews or incentivise feedback, which adds credibility to the overall rating. Many reviews are written after direct contact with customer support, giving a realistic picture of how Names.co.uk performs when users actually need help.
What Customers Actually Say:
“Been a happy customer for 20 years and wouldn’t look anywhere else… always top class customer service.” – Donna Mulley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“10 years with these guys now. Best supplier we have for sure.” – Kevin Clausner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I can’t praise the team enough for their persistence and patience when dealing with my issue.” – Andrew Wickes ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Balanced Customer Sentiment
The majority of customers praise knowledgeable UK-based staff, ease of phone support, and quick issue resolution—especially for domains, email, and DNS changes. Long-term customers frequently mention staying for 10–20+ years, which is rare in the hosting industry.
Some lower-rated reviews point to website UI frustrations, wait times during busy periods, or specific technical limitations. Importantly, Names.co.uk actively responds to both positive and critical reviews, demonstrating transparency and engagement.
Overall, Names.co.uk is widely regarded as a reliable, support-led provider, particularly well suited to UK small businesses, freelancers, charities, and long-term domain and email users who value human support over aggressive pricing.
How Does Names.co.uk Compare to Other UK Hosting Providers?
The UK web hosting market is packed with choices, from ethical indie hosts to global tech giants. Each provider caters to a slightly different audience, offering various pricing models, performance standards, and customer support experiences.
In this section, we compare Names.co.uk with some of the most popular UK hosting companies. We focus on what matters most: pricing, features, performance, support, and transparency.
Names.co.uk vs Krystal Hosting
Both are UK-focused providers, but they serve very different user bases. While Krystal Hosting appeals to developers and ethical tech enthusiasts, Names.co.uk leans toward simplicity and bundled services.
Feature Names.co.uk Krystal Hosting
Hosting Shared, Reseller, WordPress, VPS Shared, Reseller, VPS
Website Builder AI-powered drag-and-drop WordPress, cPanel tools
Performance SSD, backups, traffic scaling NVMe SSD + LiteSpeed servers
Support UK-based, 7 days/week UK-based, top-rated
Green Hosting Powered by renewables (stated) 100% renewable energy
Transparency Moderate (some upsells) Fully transparent, no upsells
Verdict: Krystal is better for developers and users needing top-tier performance, while Names.co.uk is better suited to non-technical users seeking AI tools, bundled features, and a one-stop-shop experience.
Names.co.uk vs IONOS
IONOS is known for extremely low introductory offers, while Names.co.uk provides more consistent pricing and UK-centric tools like WePanel and local support.
Feature Names.co.uk IONOS
Hosting Plans Shared, Reseller, WordPress, VPS Shared, VPS, Cloud
Starting Price From £0.99/month From £1/month (intro only)
Support UK-based, 7 days/week Global, dedicated rep on request
Transparency Moderate Introductory prices + upsells
AI Tools AI Website Builder, AI content Yes (limited to MyWebsite Now)
Verdict: IONOS offers bargain hosting with scalable infrastructure. But for UK users who prefer predictable pricing and domestic support, Names.co.uk is the safer bet.
Names.co.uk vs 34SP
Both are UK-based and promote ethical hosting, but their approaches differ. 34SP Hosting is known for WordPress-focused, eco-friendly hosting, whereas Names.co.uk is a broader, bundled service provider.
Feature Names.co.uk 34SP
Hosting Focus Domains, email, shared, AI tools WordPress-first hosting
Green Hosting Stated green energy use Renewable energy powered
Email Services Email included in most plans Email included, limited mailbox size
Support 7-day UK support Business hours only
Ideal Users Beginners, SMEs Bloggers, non-profits
Verdict: If you need ethical WordPress hosting, 34SP is solid. But Names.co.uk wins on service variety, including AI tools, Microsoft 365, and VoIP support.
Names.co.uk vs Fasthosts
Both are UK-based providers, but Fasthosts Hosting focuses more on infrastructure and larger-scale services, whereas Names.co.uk provides a friendlier interface and more bundled tools.
Feature Names.co.uk Fasthosts
Hosting Type Shared, Reseller, VPS, WordPress Shared, VPS, Cloud
UK Data Centres Yes Yes
Migration Support Manual or by support Manual or paid
Support UK-based, 7-day support 24/7 phone/live chat
Uptime SLA 99.9% (no public SLA) 99.9% SLA
Verdict: Fasthosts is ideal for tech-savvy users and resellers needing more control. Names.co.uk is better for those who want UK support, simple plans, and AI tools to build fast.
Names.co.uk vs SiteGround
SiteGround is a global host with UK servers, renowned for WordPress optimisation. Names.co.uk, meanwhile, appeals more to everyday UK users who want honest support and bundled services.
Feature Names.co.uk SiteGround
Hosting Location UK-only servers Google Cloud (London, UK)
Hosting Focus Shared, WordPress, Reseller, AI WordPress & Cloud
Support UK-based, 7 days/week Global 24/7 live chat
Infrastructure SSD, backups, hourly restore Google Cloud, CDN
Pricing Flat pricing, fewer upsells Low intro rates, steep renewals
Verdict: If you’re running a large WordPress site or need advanced tools, SiteGround might be worth the cost. But for everyday UK websites and small businesses, Names.co.uk offers better local service and simplicity.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Names.co.uk?
As with any hosting company, there are trade-offs. Below is a balanced view of what Names.co.uk does well, and where it could improve, based on testing, reviews, and customer feedback.
Pros
- UK-Based Support: Real humans, 7 days a week via phone, email, and ticketing
- Beginner-Friendly: Clean control panel, bundled domains and SSL, easy onboarding
- AI Website Builder: No-code, drag-and-drop builder ideal for small UK businesses
- Free Domain & SSL: Included with most hosting packages
- Flexible Hosting Plans: Shared, WordPress, WePanel, Reseller, and more
- Trustworthy Brand: Over 25 years in the UK market
Cons
- Renewal Pricing: Intro prices are great, but renewals can be higher (not always clear upfront)
- Upselling: Some users report frequent promotional emails or optional add-ons during checkout
- No Live Chat Yet: Phone and email support are excellent, but live chat is currently missing
- Limited Developer Tools: More advanced users may want cPanel or NGINX-level control
My Verdict on Names.co.uk (Based on My Experience)
After researching and comparing a wide range of UK domain and hosting providers, Names.co.uk stood out to me for its balance of long-term reliability and strong customer support. Rather than relying on heavy discounts or short-term offers, Names.co.uk focuses on stability, clear services, and accessible help from real people.
What I appreciate most is that Names.co.uk doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It offers a broad set of tools—domains, hosting, email, website builders, and servers, while keeping things relatively straightforward for everyday users and small businesses.
What Do I Like?
The biggest positive for me is the UK-based phone support, which is easy to reach and genuinely helpful. I also like the wide choice of domain extensions, reliable hosting, and the reminder and renewal system that helps prevent accidental expiries.
Having access to email, Microsoft 365, security tools, and website builders under one account is another strong plus.
What Could Be Better?
From my experience, the website interface and control panel could feel more modern and streamlined. Some plans can also become expensive at renewal compared to newer budget-focused hosts, and beginners may need clearer guidance when choosing between similar services.
Who It’s Best For?
Names.co.uk is particularly well suited for:
- UK small businesses and startups
- Freelancers and sole traders
- Beginners building their first website
- Developers and resellers needing scalable services
- Businesses that prefer UK-based support with European infrastructure backing
Names.co.uk isn’t the most flashy provider, but it’s dependable, experienced, and support-led, and that’s exactly why many customers stay for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the uptime for Names.co.uk hosting?
Uptime is consistently above 99.95%, making it reliable for small to medium websites.
Does Names.co.uk provide free SSL and backups?
Yes. All hosting plans include free SSL certificates and daily to hourly backups.
Can I use WordPress with Names.co.uk?
Yes. Their Managed WordPress Hosting is beginner-friendly and includes AI tools.
How beginner-friendly is the AI Website Builder?
It’s designed for users with no technical experience, just answer questions, pick a design, and publish.
Does Names.co.uk offer UK-based customer support?
Yes. Support teams are located in the Midlands and operate 7 days a week.
Can I transfer my domain to or from Names.co.uk?
Yes. Transfers are straightforward and include tools to manage DNS, privacy, and auto-renewals.
What are the common issues users face with Names.co.uk?
Most complaints involve renewal pricing, auto-billing, or email upsells, not technical performance.
