UKHost4U Web Hosting

UKHost4U is a UK-based hosting company that has been in business since 2000. In 2006 it merged with Hosting Systems, a local design and web hosting company that had been in business since 1990. This means that UKHost4U is one of the longest running providers of web hosting in the UK, or anywhere else in the world.

Services and Specializations

UKHost4U offers a wide range hosting plans covering the spectrum from low-cost shared hosting to high-end Dedicated Server hosting, as well as VPS and Cloud hosting.

Shared hosting plans are offered in several pricing tiers, based on resource availability and account limits.

VPS plans from UKHost4U are available in many different tiers and configurations, based on usage limits on storage space, bandwidth, and memory. VPS plans are available with or without Solid State Drives (SSD) and come in managed and unmanaged plans.

Several dedicated server configurations are also available, with a range of specifications determined by pricing. Server management is included in most plans.

UKHost4U also is a provider of reseller hosting, which is available in multiple tiers.

VPS and Dedicated Customers of UKHost4U have an option of six different operating systems:

• Windows Server
  • Windows 2008
  • Windows 2012
• Linux
  • CentOS
  • Debian
  • Ubuntu
  • Fedora

Windows hosting plans come with a choice of Plesk or cPanel. All plans include access to a script installer for easily setting up popular web applications like WordPress and Drupal.

For non-tech savvy clients, they also have a Website builder, allowing anyone to setup a small website with a simple graphical user interface.

Datacenters and Technology

UKHost4U operates out of the BlueSquare Data Center in London, which boats impressive specifications:

• Over 50,000 sq ft of space (BlueSquare 1, 2, 3 & MK)
• 8 megawatt of power from multiple on-site substations
• diverse power feeds to substations
• Multiple redundant N+N generators connected via C&N
• ATS systems
• diverse fibre ducts into the datacentres
• N+1 PowerWave UPS system
• N+1 Airedale Air Handling system
• 24/7 secure entry via swipe card system, with 6-layer entry
• Datacentre located inside its own secure compound, with 3-metre fencing and electric entry, including anti-tailgate systems
• Engineers available 24/7 for remote hands service
• Engineer build rooms

BlueSquare runs a fully redundant BGP network with two separate hardware vendors, providing redundancy at both the network and hardware layers. The datacenter also operates two separate 10 GB networks, and two independent IP Transit networks.

Support and Customer Service

UKHost4U offers 24/7 phone support. The call center is based in the UK, and they employ Cisco and Juniper certified network engineers to ensure customers have access to a high level of technical expertise.

In addition to the standard support available to all plans, customers can also purchase managed hosting plans, providing a high level of hands-on support.

Security and Backups

Automated offsite backups are available to all plans as an add-on service, as is email Spam protection.

Uptime Guarantees

UKHost4U guarantees uptime of 99.9% or better (that’s no more than about 43 minutes of down time in a month).

This is subject to the usual exclusions: UKHost4U is not responsible for downtime caused by a customer, by third-party applications, or by their infrastructure providers.

The remedy for downtime exceeding .1% in any month is a credit on a customer’s account against future hosting fees.

Costs and Payment Policies

UKHost4U prices all of its plans in GBP (British Pounds), and also charges VAT (Value Added Tax). Because of the USD-GBP exchange rate, and the fact that US Hosting companies are not compelled to charge sales tax, most hosting plans from UKHost4U are more expensive than similar plans from US providers.

UKHost4U accepts PayPal and all major credit cards.

Summary / Conclusions

UKHost4U is a high quality hosting company well suited to business clients.

Their shared hosting plans are a little over-priced for the entry-level bloggers and small businesses which would most likely gravitate to that type of plan.

However, their location and expertise makes them a great fit for medium and large UK-based businesses that need an Enterprise-level hosting solution.