Web Hosting FAQs

Our team of customer care experts has assembled a number of online resources you can access anytime for detailed help and information.

Whether you're new to web hosting or an experienced user, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions like these:

1. What is Web Hosting?
2. What are the advantages of having a web host?
3. What should I consider when choosing a package?
4. Can I add disk space or email accounts to my package without changing packages?
5. How much does it cost to register a domain name?
6. Do I need to pick my domain name when I sign up for Web Hosting?
7. What if I want to change my domain name after I sign up?
8. Which name and top level domain should I choose?
9. How do I move my existing web site to Web Hosting?
10. How do I move my domain name to Web Hosting? Is it a registrar transfer?
11. Does Web Hosting support ASP, scripting and databases?
12. What happens when I upgrade - do I have to pay the setup fee again?
13. Can I publish web pages with FrontPage 2002®?

1. What is Web Hosting?

To help you understand web hosting, we have developed a simple analogy. But first, some definitions:

Web Site - a group of files and programs that reside on a very robust computer connected to the Internet.
Web Server - a computer that stores the files and programs that make up the site, and then allows visitors to access and read those files.
Web Host - an interconnected group of web servers containing web site data, that other computers can access through the Internet. Web hosts also provide technical resources and web site maintenance.

Now, think of a web host as a landlord. A landlord builds and maintains the structure, then rents storefronts to various businesses that otherwise cannot afford their own buildings. Each business decorates and operates their store differently and leaves building maintenance to the landlord. Likewise, a web host rents space on a web server to various businesses. Each business builds its own web site while the web host maintains the network of web servers.

2. What are the advantages of having a web host?

You don't have to invest tens of millions of dollars, or endure technical headaches, in order to build and maintain your hosting infrastructure. We monitor the network. We protect your data. You focus on your business.

3. What should I consider when choosing a package?

There are four basic items you should think about when selecting the right web hosting package:

How large will your web site be? Estimate the number of pages your web site will have and their content. How many images, music files, video files or other content do you plan to add? The more pages and files, the more disk space you will require.
How busy will your web site be? Estimate the number of customers who will visit your site on a busy day. The more people on your web site, the more data transfer you will require.
How many email accounts will you need? You will probably want a separate email for each employee and a few addresses for things like sales@my-business.com or info@my-business.com.
How important will your web site be to your business? Is it so critical that without a web site your business will fold, or is it more of a competitive advantage that increases your visibility in the market? The more people who use the site and the more it affects their decisions and actions, the more important a web site is to your business.

4. Can I add additional hosting disk space or email accounts to my current Web Hosting package without having to change packages?

Yes. You can purchase additional hosting disk space for all Web Hosting plans for as little as $5.95 per month for 50 MB. You can also purchase additional email addresses starting with a package of twenty for an additional $20 per month. Each email address comes with 2 GB of email storage space and each email alias you create counts towards your purchased address quota.

Business Mail
+20	$20.00/month
+40	$40.00/month
+60	$60.00/month
+100	$100.00/month
+200	$200.00/month
+400	$400.00/month
+600	$600.00/month
+800	$800.00/month
+2,000	$2,000.00/month

Disk Space
+50MB	$5.95/month
+100MB	$9.95/month
+150MB	$14.95/month
+200MB	$19.95/month

5. How much does it cost to register a domain name?

It's free! Each Web Hosting package includes a domain name. That means we pay the initial domain registration fee and yearly renewal fee for as long as you are a Web Hosting customer. Over time, that adds up to significant savings. Reserve your domain now!

If you choose to use an existing domain name with your account, you will continue to be responsible for all ongoing domain name registration/renewal fees.

6. Do I need to pick my domain name when I sign up for Web Hosting?

Yes. Your web address and email accounts will be based on the domain name you select (or on a domain you already own and choose to move to ). For this reason you'll need to choose a new domain -- or indicate that you'd like to use one you already own - when you create your Web Hosting account.

7. What if I want to change my domain name after I sign up?

If you wish to change your domain name after you sign up, you will need to cancel your service and sign up all over again. For this reason, we recommend that you choose your domain name very carefully, to avoid having an interruption in service later.

8. Which name and top level domain should I choose?

In general, choose a name and a top level domain (.com, .biz, .us, etc.) that is easy for your employees and customers to remember and makes sense with your business. It can be your company's name, key words describing your business or even a short phrase. All Web Hosting plans come with a free domain with service. Reserve your domain now!

9. How do I move my existing web site to Web Hosting?

Make sure you have a copy of all your web site files, including images, sound and video clips and other files, on your personal computer. After you purchase a Web Hosting package, simply use an FTP program to transfer all your files to your new web site.

10. How do I move my domain name to Web Hosting? Is it a registrar transfer?

If you already have a domain name with another registrar, you can easily transfer it to Small Business when you purchase a web hosting package. During the order process you will have the opportunity to search for a domain name, or move an existing one. The option reads: "Already have a domain name? Use it with an plan" Follow the link and we will lead you through the simple process.

This is not a registrar transfer. Moving a domain name means directing your name servers to Web Hosting. Your original registrar must make this change for you. Your domain name registration remains with your current registrar and you are responsible for all ongoing domain name registration/renewal fees.

11. Does Web Hosting support ASP, scripting, and databases?

Web Hosting Standard and Web Hosting Professional support ASP and MS-SQL so you can build data-driven web sites, and Perl as well so you can build advanced web applications.

12. What happens when I upgrade -- do I have to pay the setup fee again?

No. You pay the setup fee one time when you purchase a Web Hosting package.

13. Can I publish web pages with FrontPage 2002/2003?

Yes. Web Hosting includes support for Microsoft FrontPage 2002/2003. You can create author accounts and grant access to specific subdirectories, so colleagues or others can publish pages to your web site without logging in to your account or requiring your assistance. FrontPage adds convenience, speed, and security to web site creation and maintenance.