In short
- Hosting renewal prices often jump: many hosts advertise a low first-term price that rises when you renew.
- Before you buy, find the renewal price, the length of the first term and whether VAT is included.
- Compare what you’ll pay over two or three years, not just the first month.
You signed up for hosting at a price that looked like a bargain. A year or two later, the renewal email arrives and the price has gone up several times over. It’s one of the most common complaints about web hosting, and it isn’t an accident. Here is why hosting renewal prices jump, and how to spot it before you buy.
Why hosting renewal prices go up
Moving a website takes effort, so most people stay with the host they started with. Some hosts use that: they win you with a low introductory price, then charge their normal price at renewal, knowing most customers won’t leave. The headline price is real, but it only lasts for the first term.
Hosting renewal prices in practice
When we checked UK hosts’ own pricing pages on 6 October 2026, the entry WordPress plans looked like this, including VAT:
| Host and plan | Intro price | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Fasthosts Start | £1.20 a month for 3 months | £6.90 a month |
| IONOS Hosting for WordPress | £3.60 a month for 6 months | £6.00 a month |
| Hostinger Premium | £3.59 a month, paid 48 months up front | £13.19 a month |
| Krystal Amethyst | No intro price | £8.40 a month |
| HostDingo Pup | No intro price | £5.99 a month |
Prices change often, so check each host’s own page before you decide. Our price comparison shows the full details and when we last checked.
Five things to check before you buy
- The renewal price. It’s often in small print under the plan, or in the terms. If you can’t find it, ask.
- How long the first term is. A low monthly price may only apply if you pay for two, three or four years up front.
- Whether VAT is included. Some hosts show prices without VAT, so the amount you pay is 20% higher.
- What is included. SSL certificates, backups, email and help with moving can be free on one host and extras on another.
- How to cancel. Look for monthly plans and a money-back period, so you aren’t locked in if it doesn’t work out.
Tip: add up what you’ll pay over three years, including renewals. That single number makes plans, and their hosting renewal prices, much easier to compare than any headline price.
How we price at HostDingo
We don’t use introductory prices, so there’s no jump in our hosting renewal prices. The price you see is our normal price, and it doesn’t go up just because you renew. If our prices ever need to change, we’ll tell you clearly and in advance. Pup is £5.99 a month, with SSL, daily backups and a free migration included, and you can pay monthly with no contract.
Want to see what you would save? Try the calculator on our WordPress hosting page.
Common questions
Is an introductory price a bad deal?
Not always. If you plan to move again before it renews, it can be cheap. Just know the renewal price, and set a reminder before the renewal date so you can decide in good time.
Can I move hosts when my renewal is due?
Yes. Start the move two or three weeks before the renewal date, so the new site is running and checked before the old plan ends. Our step-by-step guide shows how.
Is there a limit on hosting renewal prices in the UK?
No. There is no cap on what a host can charge when you renew. UK consumer law does expect the full price to be made clear before you buy, including what you will pay once an offer ends, and the Competition and Markets Authority enforces those rules. If you think a renewal price was hidden from you, Citizens Advice can explain your options.
