Local Boost HQ
vs
123 Reg Website Builder
123 Reg is a UK household name for domains, but their website builder is another conversation entirely. Here's the honest comparison.
123 Reg Website Builder
The UK domain giantStarting price
£4.99/mo (Website Builder)
DIY — you build and maintain
Local Boost HQ
Done-for-youStarting price
£14.99/mo
We build, host, and maintain
Please note: Our pricing covers website build, hosting, and maintenance. Domain registration, business email, and any third-party apps are billed separately — we'll happily help you set them up during onboarding.
123 Reg is one of the UK's most well-known domain registrars — probably where many UK businesses registered their first .co.uk domain. Alongside domains and hosting, they offer a website builder and a range of small-business tools. If you already have your domain with 123 Reg, it's a natural choice to check out their builder. But familiarity isn't the same as suitability, and their builder is noticeably less advanced than modern alternatives. Here's how it compares.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Everything that matters for a UK local business, side by side.
Who builds your site
123 Reg
You do (DIY)
Local Boost HQ
We do (done-for-you)
Starting price
123 Reg
£4.99/mo
Local Boost HQ
£14.99/mo
Template quality
123 Reg
Basic
Local Boost HQ
Custom per industry
Design flexibility
123 Reg
Very limited
Local Boost HQ
Fully bespoke
Site speed
123 Reg
Below average
Local Boost HQ
Near-perfect scores
Local SEO tools
123 Reg
Minimal
Local Boost HQ
Full local SEO stack
Google Business Profile setup
123 Reg
Not included
Local Boost HQ
Included on all plans
Custom industry copy
123 Reg
You write it
Local Boost HQ
We write it for you
UK company & support
123 Reg
Local Boost HQ
Mobile responsive
123 Reg
Local Boost HQ
SSL certificate
123 Reg
Extra cost on basic tiers
Local Boost HQ
Included
Upsells & add-ons
123 Reg
Constant
Local Boost HQ
None
Contract / lock-in
123 Reg
Annual for best rate
Local Boost HQ
Month-to-month
| Feature | 123 Reg | Local Boost HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds your site | You do (DIY) | We do (done-for-you) |
| Starting price | £4.99/mo | £14.99/mo |
| Template quality | Basic | Custom per industry |
| Design flexibility | Very limited | Fully bespoke |
| Site speed | Below average | Near-perfect scores |
| Local SEO tools | Minimal | Full local SEO stack |
| Google Business Profile setup | Not included | Included on all plans |
| Custom industry copy | You write it | We write it for you |
| UK company & support | ||
| Mobile responsive | ||
| SSL certificate | Extra cost on basic tiers | Included |
| Upsells & add-ons | Constant | None |
| Contract / lock-in | Annual for best rate | Month-to-month |
The Honest Take on 123 Reg
No sales spin — here's where 123 Reg genuinely shines and where it falls short.
What 123 Reg Does Well
- • UK-based company with UK customer support
- • Very cheap entry pricing
- • Convenient if you already have a domain with 123 Reg
- • Reasonable hosting infrastructure for basic sites
Where 123 Reg Falls Short
- • Website builder is basic and feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- • Templates are generic and offer little design flexibility
- • Local SEO features are minimal — no schema, no Google Business Profile integration
- • Frequent upsells for SSL, email, domain privacy, and "SEO tools"
- • Renewal pricing typically increases notably
- • Not designed for local businesses serious about ranking and converting
Why Local Boost HQ Wins For Local Businesses
We're not for everyone — but for UK local businesses, here's what makes the difference.
A website that actually competes
123 Reg's builder is aimed at basic brochure sites. We build locally-optimised sites designed to outrank and out-convert competitors — a completely different product class.
We are also UK-based
If UK support matters to you, we've got you covered. Real UK email and phone support, no offshore call centre queues or time-zone delays.
Flat pricing, no upsells
£14.99/mo for Starter. Forever. No "SSL boost packs", no "SEO accelerators", no surprise renewal hikes. What you sign up for is what you pay.
Done for you in 48 hours
123 Reg gives you a template and an editor. We give you a finished, copy-written, locally-optimised site delivered in 48 hours — with zero effort from you.
So Which Should You Choose?
123 Reg is a solid domain registrar, but their website builder is a secondary product that shows its age. If you want a basic, cheap, DIY site and you're already embedded in the 123 Reg ecosystem, it can work. For a local business serious about ranking and converting, Local Boost HQ delivers significantly more for a manageable monthly fee — and we're UK-based too.
123 Reg vs Local Boost HQ — FAQs
Common questions about choosing between these two options.
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Ready to Skip the DIY Route?
Get a professional, locally-optimised website in 48 hours — built by experts while you run your business. Plans from £14.99/mo.