1and1 Hosting Review

You're at the stage of deciding on your hosting provider and your still not sure so you start looking for some consumer reviews.

This is not the normal hosting review you find with * (star) ratings comparing different hosts as I can't really compare it with other hosts as I don't use them.

However I do use 1and1 for several sites a mixture of html/php and WordPress sites that are targeted at a UK audience and Bluehost for sites that are for Worldwide audiences.

Why I use  1and1 (1&1)

I have several 1and1 sites and the reason I chose 1&1 was

• It supported multiple domain names and I wanted to host more than one site.
• It offered full control of the site including ability to edit .htaccess files.
• It allowed you to upgrade packages easily which meant that you could start at a basic package and move up as needed.
• It offered support for databases (business packages and above) and I wanted to use WordPress
• It was offering very cheap UK domain names.

This site is my first 1and1 site and has been online since February 2003 and I have has no problems with it (touch wood).

 I have needed to talk to 1and1 support, but I can't remember why, so I guess they must have answered my question.

What I don't Like

The package arrangement can mean cheap hosting for very basic sites but works out more expensive when moving up the scale. A lot of providers go for an all in 1 package.

I guess they do it that way for quality of service.

Also the control panel is specific to 1and1 and not the industry cpanel norm. That is probable the consequence of being one of the early hosting providers. The control panel is however very easy to navigate and probably easier than cpanel.

Summary

1and1 UK is reliable, affordable and offers all the web services you will probably need 

In my opinion if you are running a small business or personal website in the UK it is more than adequate for the job.