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FAQ:
Hopefully
you will find this page helpful, especially if you have
had little experience with Domain Names and Web Hosting.
If after looking through the list you find you still have
a query unanswered, please phone or email us and we will
be more than happy to help and we will also add your query
to the list to help others.
Domain
Names - Hosting Help is here
What
is a domain name?
Do I have to have a business to get one?
Do I need one?
What domains do you sell?
What is the best domain name for me?
Can I buy domains of just two letters?
What about dashes?
What if I can't get the domain I want?
How much are they and are there any hidden
fees?
How will I know when the registration is
due for renewal?
What do I get for my money?
How do I pay for the name?
Can I cancel a Domain Purchase?
How long does it take for the domain to
work?
Once I buy the domain is it always mine?
What is the point in just having a domain
but no web site?
What is email forwarding?
What is web forwarding?
What if I want the site hosted later?
What if I want the site hosted now?
What if I want the site hosted by someone
else?
How can I contact you?
(See also - need help with domains? 
)
Hosting
What
is web hosting and why do I need it?
How do I get hosting?
How much does it cost and are there any
hidden fees?
What does the package consist of?
How do I pay?
Does your hosting carry your banners or
adverts on my web pages?
What if I have a domain name I bought elsewhere
and want hosting from QA?
What if I bought a domain name from QA
some time ago and now want it hosting?
How much web space do I get and what is
a MB?
How long before my web space is
active?
Can I cancel Hosting?
What is a Control Panel?
What is FTP?
What is CGI?
Do I get any CGI scripts with my web space?
What is email forwarding?
What is a POP box?
What is an Autoresponder?
What are PHP and Perl
What is a subdomain?
What is DNS?
What is an IPS Tag?
If I get stuck will you help?
Can I add further features to the space
and at what cost?
If I get lots of visitors will I have to
pay more?
Can you help if my site is a success and
I need advice?
Can you build my web site?
How can I contact you?
What
is a domain name? [TOP]
A domain name is something that is used to identify a piece
of web space that houses a web site. In reality that web
space is identified by a set of numbers like 242.89.67.87
(an IP Address) - but as humans are less likely to forget
words a name is "attached" to those numbers and
is unique to that web space.
Do
I have to have a business to get one? [TOP]
No. Anyone anywhere can purchase a domain name and pretty
much use it for whatever they like providing they are not
infringing someone else's copyright or trademark.
Do
I need one? [TOP]
This depends on what you are wanting to do. If you are a
company then a proper stand alone domain name is much more
professional looking than using free web space provided
by someone like Freeserve or Virgin - www.yourcompany.com
is more likely to create the right image than your.company.Freeserve.co.uk.
Also, a secondary domain does not stand much of a chance
on the search engines as a lot of engines refuse to list
non stand alone domains at all.
And domains are so inexpensive now there's no real reason
not to buy one!
On the other hand if you are just running a personal site
for friends and family then a proper domain name is not
so important but again, at the price they cost why not?!
What
domains do you sell? [TOP]
We deal with the main domains - .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk,
.com, .net, .org, .biz, .info
What
is the best domain name for me? [TOP]
Most people prefer either a .co.uk or a .com. A .co.uk identifies
you as a UK business. A .com was originally a USA domain
name meaning a commercial site but nowadays it has become
an international domain. .plc and .ltd are for companies
that are registered at companies house only - .org and .org.uk
are essentially for organisations and .net was initially
for ISP's and network organisers but again has become more
widely used.
So, really, the domains have for the most part long lost
their intentional purposes and anyone can buy them, but
most people usually go for the .co.uk and .com versions
simply because these are the most widely used and if someone
knows your name but can't remember the extension, they will
generally try a .com first then the .co.uk.
In an ideal world you would choose a name available in .co.uk,
.com and perhaps .net and cover all the bases - but to do
that depends on your name being available.
If you already have a domain name and just require the web
space fill out the form after visiting our hosting
page. If you need a domain name as well search for that
domain from the QA home page and just before the order form
there are options to add a hosting package to your chosen
domain.
Can
I buy domains of just two letters? [TOP]
Not with UK domain names, .biz or .info and all the .com's
are gone!
What
about dashes? [TOP]
There are mixed views about putting dashes in a domain name
(by dashes we mean the - sign) Generally there is no harm
apart from a number of dashes in a name can make it a bit
of a mouthful to tell people. However, it may be the way
to get the name you need and include words that will help
with search engine rankings.
Dashes can go-in-between-words but NOT at the beginning
or end ; www.-domains-.com
What
if I can't get the domain I want? [TOP]
Good domain names are rare so you might have to add dashes
in between words or add a call to action at the beginning
of the name: www.domainames.com is gone so try www.fastdomain
names.com or www.fast-domain-names.com or www.quick-domain-names.co.uk
and so on. Eventually you should find a combination that
works.
How
much are they and are there any hidden fees? [TOP]
..co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk £15 for two years registration
and .com, .net and .org .info and .biz cost £15 for
one year. Once you have made that payment the domain is
yours and there are no other costs involved at all.
How
will I know when the registration is due for renewal? [TOP]
We will email and let you know in good time - if you want
to renew the registration simply pay the fee again or let
it expire if you no longer want the domain. Letting a domain
expire is not like ignoring a bill and doesn't prevent you
from registering other domains at a later time - there is
of course the possibility that should you want to register
a name that you previously owned but let expire then somebody
else may have bought that name and there isn't anything
you can do about it.
What
do I get for my money? [TOP]
You get registration for however many years you specified
- - . The domain can be parked - just purchased but with
no function, waiting whilst you decide what you want to
do with it. You also get email forwarding and web forwarding
if required. See other questions for explanations of these
terms.
How
do I pay for the name? [TOP]
You can either search for an available domain and purchase
through the online form at the end using your credit card
- this is completely secure and handled by PayPal, a reputable
merchant service- (QAWebhosting do not receive details of
your credit card this way, only PayPal and the actioning
bank) or you can order by phone, again with your credit
card or we will accept cheques.
Can
I cancel a Domain Purchase? [TOP]
Once a Domain has been registered
it cannot be canceled. After the initial registration period
has expired it can then be allowed to relapse.
How
long does it take for the domain to work? [TOP]
24 hours after a domain has been registered it should be
showing as belonging to you. The best way to check this
is to search for it as if you were wanting to buy it and
then click on current owner information - this should show
your details. If it doesn't allow another 12 hours and if
you still see the name as available let us know immediately.
Please Note: During that 24 hour period your name may well
show as still being available. Rest assured that as soon
as the name is registered with QA it is queued and unavailable
for anyone else to buy - the domain search databases are
updated once a day and this is the reason that onece you
have ordered, the domain may show as still being available
for a short time.
Once
I buy the domain is it always mine? [TOP]
The domain is yours for as long as you registered it. Providing
you renew the name there is no reason why you shouldn't
own it for as long as you wish.
What
is the point in just having a domain but no web site? [TOP]
You may want to make sure nobody else gets it! You may own
a .com but want the .co.uk to avoid visitor confusion. You
may just not have finished designing your site and want
to wait before getting hosting.
What
is email forwarding? [TOP]
If you buy www.yourdomain.com email forwarding allows you
to have as many email addresses as you wish for that domain.
So that means you can have steve@yourdomain.com, fred@yourdomain.com,
sales@yourdomain.com, enquiries@yourdomain.com, in fact,
as many of those addresses as you wish. And they can all
be forwarded to an email accent of your choice. So if your
email address is bob@Freeserve.co.uk or bob@hotmail.com
any email to those addresses above will land in your Freeserve
or hotmail email account.
What
is web forwarding? [TOP]
If you have a web site on free web space such as Freeserve
or Virgin, any domain name you buy from us can be redirected
so that when someone types in www.yourdomain.com it will
actually show the web site at the Freeserve address. This
is quite handy but for a business site can cause problems
when promoting your site on the search engines.
What
if I want the site hosted later? [TOP]
No problem, just let us know when you are ready and we can
tell you how to make payment then set it up immediately.
What
if I want the site hosted now? [TOP]
If you need a domain name and hosting search for that domain
from the QA home page and just before the order form there
are options to add a hosting package to your chosen domain.
What
if I want the site hosted by someone else? [TOP]
Just let us know the host's details and we will do this
within 24 hours free of charge. Normally a hosting company
will tell you exactly what details you need to give us.
How
can I contact you? [TOP]
Just use any of the methods on the contact page - email, phone or fax.
Hosting
What
is web hosting and why do I need it?
[TOP]
When you type in a domain name you generally then see a
set of pages making up a web site. Originally these pages
would have been constructed on a computers' hard drive.
Once their creator is happy with the site he then needs
a computer that is continually connected to the Internet
so that anyone from anywhere can see the site at any time.
This is the web space and the site is hosted on that computer.
We provide that web space so you can "publish"
your web site for al the world to see!
How
do I get hosting?
[TOP]
If you already have a domain name and just require the web
space fill out the form after visiting our hosting
page. If you need a domain name as well search for that
domain from the QA home page and just before the order form
there are options to add a hosting package to your chosen
domain.
How
much does it cost and are there any hidden fees?
[TOP]
Hosting costs £50 per year - that includes the transfer
of the domain you have already. There are no other fees
to pay. You can add more features to your web space and
the costs for these are listed on the hosting
page.
What
does the package consist of? [TOP]
The package
consists of the features listed on the hosting page. As
well as the "hardware" you also get an assurance
that we will be help with any specific web related problem
you may have provided it is within our knowledge!
How
do I pay?
[TOP]
You can either search for an available domain and purchase
it along with hosting through the online form at the end
using your credit card - this is completely secure and handled
by PayPal, a reputable merchant service- (QAWebhosting do
not receive details of your credit card this way, only Paypal
and the actioning bank) or you can order by phone, again
with your credit card or we will accept cheques. If you
just require hosting then an order form can be accessed
via the hosting page.
Does
your hosting carry your banners or adverts on my web pages?
[TOP]
No, none whatsoever - when you buy hosting hosting from
QA that web space will only show whatever you put there.
What
if I have a domain name I bought elsewhere and want hosting
from QA?
[TOP]
No problem, place your order and we will contact you right
away with instructions on how to move the domain from your
current host or domain holder.
What
if I bought a domain name from QA some time ago and now
want it hosting?
On purchasing your domain name you will have been given
to our domain management access area - simply place your
hosting order from there or phone or email us. [TOP]
How
much web space do I get and what is a MB? [TOP]
A MB is a megabyte which is a measure of computer space.
You get 150MB
of web space with all hosting packages.
How
long before my web space is active?
[TOP]
The FTP
details will be with you within a couple of hours normally.
Usually it can take a day or two for the domain name to
associate with the web space and then you are up and running!!
Can
I cancel Hosting? [TOP]
If you wish to cancel hosting this
can be done if notified in writing but one month must have
elapsed since ordering the hosting. Your money will be refunded
less however months the hosting had been active and less
the cost of the domain name if bought with hosting.
What
is a Control Panel? [TOP]
The Control Panel is an area you log on to and can change
email rules, add POP boxes, autoresponders and manage databases
amonst other facilities - this is useful if you intend to
perform a lot of configurations of this kind. Changes made
from the control panel are also instant.
What
is FTP? [TOP]
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is something novice
webmasters sometimes struggle with in the beginning. FTP
allows the transfer of your web pages and images from your
computer to your web space. There is help in the members
section and we do not mind at all talking you through this
over the phone.
What
is CGI? [TOP]
CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface. When you fill out
a form on a web site and get a "thanks, we'll be in
touch" page afterwards, this has been due to a cgi
script. CGI scripts also run counters (devices for measuring
the amount of visitors you get to a site), guestbooks, domain
name searches! and a huge number of other features you see
on the web. We supply several scripts ready for use but
you can also add your own.
Do
I get any CGI scripts with my web space? [TOP]
Yes - preinstalled are a counter script - bulleting board
- mailform to collect information or orders from your visitors
and have it automaically mailed to you -Guestbook - Whois
for looking up the availabilty of Domain Names and a redirect
script. These can be "switched on" from your online
control panel.
What
is email forwarding? [TOP]
If you buy www.yourdomain.com email forwarding allows you
to have as many email addresses as you wish for that domain.
So that means you can have steve@yourdomain.com, fred@yourdomain.com,
sales@yourdomain.com, enquiries@yourdomain.com, in fact,
as many of those addresses as you wish. And they can all
be forwarded to an email accent of your choice. So if your
email address is bob@Freeserve.co.uk or bob@hotmail.com
any email to those addresses above will land in your Freeserve
or hotmail email account.
What
is a POP box? [TOP]
This allows you greater control over
email - you can have several POP boxes set to deliver mail
to individuals - which allows for privacy and automatic
distribution of mail to whoever it is intended to be delivered
to.
What
is an Autoresponder? [TOP]
An autoresponder automatically sends a message back to the
sender of the incoming message to your POP box - say for
example you were on holiday, the autoresponder could be
set to send the message - "thanks very much for your
enquiry - i am away from the office at present but will
deal with your enquiry on my return" - back to the
sender of each message it recieves.
What
are PHP and Perl [TOP]
These are all various forms of web page authoring or ways
to get things to happen on your site. They are more advanced
than basic web page writing but if you are going to learn
any of them or have your site designed by an agency they
are important to have as available.
What
is a subdomain? [TOP]
Sometimes you will have seen a domain name like http://control.qawebhosting.com
(that's our members area) this is a web site within a web
site. You simply add a word or words before the main domain
name, put a dot and you have another website complete with
its own features, email and more. This is handy if you intend
to have members areas or various departments to your site.
5 Sub domains come free with each package but we do have
to set them up so you have to let us know what you want.
What
is DNS? [TOP]
DNS are what a web domain name attaches to and shows the
web site within that web space. A domain name requires these
to function. If you were to move a web site from one host
to another then you need to tell the old host the new DNS
- they then attach the new DNS to the domain name and a
short time later the web site will show at its new web space.
What
is an IPS Tag? [TOP]
An IPS tag identifies who has control of the domain, if
you want your new host to be able to modify the details
of the domain - contact and technical contacts etc., then
the control of the domain must be changed along with the
DNS.
If
I get stuck will you help? [TOP]
No problem, the only time we won't help is if we can't!
There is also a great deal of help accessible from the control
panel.
Can
I add further features to the space and at what cost? [TOP]
Our package consists of just about everything you will ever
need for your web site - there are no extras, no hidden
costs. Once you have purchased your web space the only further
charges will be the annual fee in a years time.
If
I get lots of visitors will I have to pay more? [TOP]
Bandwidth
is the amount of accrued data transferred between your web
site and the sites visitors - 1.5 GB is more than ample
for just about every web site - should you exceed this limit
by a small amount every so often you will not incur any
penalties. Should your site become a large drain on our
resources we do reserve the right to suspend your account
until a suitable solution is reached.
Can
you help if my site is a success and I need advice? [TOP]
If you launch what was initially a small site but it takes
off unexpectedly and would like help with quickly upgrading
the design or want to know what your site may need to help
make it more efficient - just let us know!
Can
you build my web site? [TOP]
Yes we can. Examples of sites can be found on the "other
services" page - we can take on anything from
a simple brochure site to a full blown ecommerce enabled
shopping site and everything in-between. We are more than
happy to discuss your needs starting with an informal, no
obligation chat. Please contact
us for more details.
How
can I contact you? [TOP]
Just use any of the methods on the contact
page - email, phone or fax.
E-mail:
Sales@qawebhosting.com
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