Local Boost HQ
vs
IONOS (formerly 1&1)
IONOS is famous for rock-bottom intro pricing, but what happens after the introductory period ends? Here's the full picture.
IONOS (formerly 1&1)
Budget hosting + builderStarting price
£1/mo intro, then £10+/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.
IONOS (formerly 1&1) is a German hosting giant with a huge UK presence and some of the loudest marketing in the industry — "£1/month!" "Free domain!" "Save 80%!". It's cheap to get in, genuinely cheap, and for businesses just wanting a basic online presence it can work. But intro pricing is intro pricing. What happens at renewal — and what you actually get in the meantime — deserves a closer look. Here's an honest comparison.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Everything that matters for a UK local business, side by side.
Who builds your site
IONOS
You do (DIY)
Local Boost HQ
We do (done-for-you)
Intro price
IONOS
£1/mo (first 6-12 months)
Local Boost HQ
£14.99/mo
Renewal price
IONOS
£10-20/mo
Local Boost HQ
£14.99/mo (never changes)
Aggressive upsell calls
IONOS
Yes — well-known for it
Local Boost HQ
None
Template quality
IONOS
Dated
Local Boost HQ
Custom per industry
Site speed
IONOS
Average
Local Boost HQ
Near-perfect scores
Local SEO tools
IONOS
Minimal
Local Boost HQ
Full local SEO stack
Google Business Profile setup
IONOS
Not included
Local Boost HQ
Included on all plans
Contract length
IONOS
12-month minimum typical
Local Boost HQ
Month-to-month
Mobile responsive
IONOS
Local Boost HQ
SSL certificate
IONOS
Local Boost HQ
Custom industry copy
IONOS
You write it
Local Boost HQ
We write it for you
UK-based support
IONOS
European call centre
Local Boost HQ
UK email & phone
| Feature | IONOS | Local Boost HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds your site | You do (DIY) | We do (done-for-you) |
| Intro price | £1/mo (first 6-12 months) | £14.99/mo |
| Renewal price | £10-20/mo | £14.99/mo (never changes) |
| Aggressive upsell calls | Yes — well-known for it | None |
| Template quality | Dated | Custom per industry |
| Site speed | Average | Near-perfect scores |
| Local SEO tools | Minimal | Full local SEO stack |
| Google Business Profile setup | Not included | Included on all plans |
| Contract length | 12-month minimum typical | Month-to-month |
| Mobile responsive | ||
| SSL certificate | ||
| Custom industry copy | You write it | We write it for you |
| UK-based support | European call centre | UK email & phone |
The Honest Take on IONOS
No sales spin — here's where IONOS genuinely shines and where it falls short.
What IONOS Does Well
- • Genuinely cheap introductory pricing
- • Large UK customer base and long-established brand
- • Bundles hosting, domain, and builder in one package
- • Reasonable uptime and hosting infrastructure
Where IONOS Falls Short
- • Introductory prices jump significantly at renewal — often 5-10x
- • Widely reported aggressive sales calls and upsell pressure
- • Templates look dated compared to modern builders
- • 12-month contracts typical — no month-to-month flexibility
- • Local SEO tools are minimal and basic
- • Cancellation can be notoriously difficult — check reviews before signing
Why Local Boost HQ Wins For Local Businesses
We're not for everyone — but for UK local businesses, here's what makes the difference.
The price you see is the price you pay
No introductory trick pricing. Our £14.99/mo Starter plan is £14.99/mo in month 1, month 12, and month 60. No renewal surprises.
No sales calls. Ever.
You won't get phone calls pushing domains, SSL upgrades, "SEO boosters", or expanded email packages. Just a finished website and honest support.
Cancel whenever you want
No 12-month contracts. Month-to-month billing with no cancellation fees. If we stop delivering value, you can leave immediately.
Built for local ranking
IONOS sites rarely rank well because the templates and SEO features aren't built for it. We include the local SEO layer that actually matters.
So Which Should You Choose?
IONOS is a reasonable choice if you genuinely need the cheapest possible monthly subscription for year one and you're happy to DIY. For a local business serious about ranking, converting, and avoiding sales-call hassle, the honest total cost of IONOS (intro + renewal hikes + add-ons + your time) ends up higher than our flat £14.99/mo Starter plan.
IONOS 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.