Local Boost HQ
vs
Fasthosts
Fasthosts is a long-established UK hosting provider, but how does their website builder stack up for a local business? Here's the comparison.
Fasthosts
UK hosting with a builderStarting price
£5.99/mo
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.
Fasthosts is a Gloucester-based UK hosting company that's been operating since 1999. They're primarily known for shared and VPS hosting, but they also offer a website builder and a range of small-business tools. The hosting side is respectable — UK data centres, UK support, decent reliability. The builder side is another matter. For a UK local business deciding between Fasthosts and a done-for-you alternative, here's what to know.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Everything that matters for a UK local business, side by side.
Who builds your site
Fasthosts
You do (DIY)
Local Boost HQ
We do (done-for-you)
Starting price
Fasthosts
£5.99/mo
Local Boost HQ
£14.99/mo
UK data centres
Fasthosts
Local Boost HQ
UK support
Fasthosts
Local Boost HQ
Template quality
Fasthosts
Basic
Local Boost HQ
Custom per industry
Design flexibility
Fasthosts
Limited
Local Boost HQ
Fully bespoke
Site speed
Fasthosts
Average
Local Boost HQ
Near-perfect scores
Local SEO tools
Fasthosts
Minimal
Local Boost HQ
Full local SEO stack
Google Business Profile setup
Fasthosts
Not included
Local Boost HQ
Included on all plans
Custom industry copy
Fasthosts
You write it
Local Boost HQ
We write it for you
Mobile responsive
Fasthosts
Local Boost HQ
Ongoing maintenance
Fasthosts
Your responsibility
Local Boost HQ
We handle it
Contract / lock-in
Fasthosts
Annual for best rate
Local Boost HQ
Month-to-month
| Feature | Fasthosts | Local Boost HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds your site | You do (DIY) | We do (done-for-you) |
| Starting price | £5.99/mo | £14.99/mo |
| UK data centres | ||
| UK support | ||
| Template quality | Basic | Custom per industry |
| Design flexibility | Limited | Fully bespoke |
| Site speed | 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 |
| Mobile responsive | ||
| Ongoing maintenance | Your responsibility | We handle it |
| Contract / lock-in | Annual for best rate | Month-to-month |
The Honest Take on Fasthosts
No sales spin — here's where Fasthosts genuinely shines and where it falls short.
What Fasthosts Does Well
- • Genuinely UK-based with Gloucester HQ and UK data centres
- • Long-established company with 24/7 UK support
- • Reasonable shared hosting infrastructure
- • Includes domain and email on most plans
Where Fasthosts Falls Short
- • Website builder is basic compared to modern dedicated builders
- • Templates feel dated and offer limited design flexibility
- • Local SEO features are minimal — no schema, no GBP integration
- • Real strengths are in VPS/dedicated hosting, not the website builder
- • Renewal pricing typically increases after intro period
- • Still fully DIY — you design, write, optimise, and maintain everything
Why Local Boost HQ Wins For Local Businesses
We're not for everyone — but for UK local businesses, here's what makes the difference.
Also UK, also serious about it
If UK-based matters to you, we're a UK company too (THEFOCUS LTD, registered in England & Wales). UK support by UK staff, no offshore routing.
Purpose-built, not a side product
Fasthosts' main business is infrastructure hosting — the builder is a secondary offering. For us, delivering beautiful, locally-optimised websites is the whole business.
Local SEO from day one
Fasthosts provides the server, you provide everything else — including figuring out local SEO. We include it by default: schema, GBP, citations, on-page targeting.
No DIY trap
£5.99/mo sounds cheap until you spend 15-30 hours building the site yourself, hiring a copywriter, and paying for SEO help. Our plan bundles it all.
So Which Should You Choose?
Fasthosts is a respectable UK hosting company, especially for VPS and dedicated hosting needs. Their website builder is a reasonable secondary product, but it's not purpose-built for local business ranking and conversion. For UK local businesses wanting a done-for-you site that actually competes on Google, Local Boost HQ is a clearer fit.
Fasthosts 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.