Choosing WordPress Hosting in the UK: What to Look For
What WordPress needs from a host, the main types of hosting, and the questions to ask before you pay.
By Steve, Founder and editor, website developer
Updated
· Last reviewed · 3 min read
In short
- WordPress.org recommends hosting with PHP 8.3 or greater, MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.11+, and HTTPS support.
- WordPress also runs on PHP 7.4+ and MySQL 5.5.5+, but WordPress.org warns those versions are past end of life and may expose your site to security problems.
- Shared hosting suits most new sites; managed WordPress hosting adds updates, backups and support for a higher price.
- Check backups, SSL, PHP version control and the data centre location before you buy.
What does WordPress need from a host?
WordPress.org recommends a host that supports PHP version 8.3 or greater, MariaDB 10.11 or greater or MySQL 8.0 or greater, and HTTPS. Apache or Nginx web servers are recommended, but any server that supports PHP and MySQL will do. Almost every mainstream UK host meets these requirements, but it's worth checking the PHP version you'll actually get, because older plans sometimes default to an old version.
WordPress will still run on PHP 7.4 and MySQL 5.5.5, but WordPress.org points out that these versions have reached their official end of life and may expose your site to security vulnerabilities. If a host only offers those, choose another host.
What types of WordPress hosting are there?
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Your site shares a server with many others. Usually comes with cPanel. | New and small sites, blogs, brochure sites |
| Managed WordPress | The host looks after WordPress updates, backups, caching and security for you. | Busy owners who want less to think about |
| VPS or cloud | A slice of a server with guaranteed resources that you (or a developer) manage. | Growing shops and busy sites |
| Dedicated server | A whole server for your site. | Large, high-traffic sites |
Most people should start with good shared or managed WordPress hosting and move up only when the site needs it. Moving host later is a normal job, especially if you keep good backups.
Which questions should you ask a host before buying?
- Which PHP versions can I choose? Look for PHP 8.3 or newer, and a way to switch it yourself (in cPanel this is usually MultiPHP Manager or Select PHP Version).
- Are backups automatic, and can I restore them myself? Daily backups kept for at least a couple of weeks are a good baseline.
- Is a free SSL certificate included? HTTPS is part of WordPress's requirements.
- Where are the servers? UK or European data centres keep pages fast for UK visitors and can make data protection simpler.
- Is there a staging site? A copy of your site for testing updates is very useful for shops and busy sites.
- What are the upload and memory limits? Low upload limits can stop you installing themes and plugins.
- Is there server-level caching? It makes a big difference to speed (see how to speed up WordPress).
- How do I reach support, and when? Live chat or phone during UK hours is worth paying for.
- What does it cost after the first year? Introductory prices often rise at renewal.
- Can I leave easily? You should be able to download all your files and your database at any time.
Does more expensive hosting make WordPress faster?
Often, yes. WordPress's own performance documentation notes that paying for higher service levels, more CPU and memory, or faster solid-state or NVMe storage can make a big difference. But the cheapest wins usually come first: a recent PHP version, page caching and well-optimised images. Our speed guide covers these.
Where to go next
Once your hosting is ready, follow how to start a WordPress website, or compare the hosted alternative in WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
Questions and answers
What PHP version does WordPress need?
WordPress.org recommends PHP 8.3 or greater. WordPress still runs on PHP 7.4, but that version is past its end of life and may expose your site to security problems. Choosing hosting.
Sources and further reading
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