Web Hosting and DNS - Frequently Asked Questions

I own a new domain name, but when I type it into my browser, nothing comes up. What's wrong?

How can I upload my website to your servers?

What is a domain? What is Web hosting?

Can I register a domain and not order web hosting?

Which Web hosting plan is right for me?

Are all Web hosting companies the same?

What software do I need to design my web site?

Why should I host my site with you?

If I sign up for Web hosting, what kind of support do you offer?

Do you have any restrictions for hosting X-rated sites?

I have a web site, how can I point my domain to it?

What is a DNS?

What is "Free Parking"?

Why would I need to change my DNS information?

How do I change the DNS information for my Domain Name?

How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?

Can I register new name servers in your system?

What is "DNS Service"?

How much does your "DNS Service" cost?

How do I activate "DNS Service"?

I signed up for Web hosting and just want to change the DNS. Is "DNS Service" for me?

How do I set up a Mail Exchange server/ Website Hosting server?

With "DNS Service" who hosts my domain, website, email?

With "DNS Service" is there anything I can't do?

What is an MX record?

What is an A record?

What is an CNAME record?

Why would I want to set up CNAMEs instead of A records?

Do you support other resource records?

Who do I contact for additional assistance?

I own a new domain, but when I type it into my browser, nothing comes up. What's wrong?

How can I upload my website to your servers?

Please remember, a domain name is not a web site, just a web address.  If you want to get your website online you may choose any web hosting company or select from our range of affordable, guaranteed web hosting plans.  All of our web hosting plans include a special deal where we reimburse you all of your domain name registration costs. 

Once you have chosen a web hosting plan, you can have your domain name point to your website.  Here's what to do:

Your web hosting company will provide you with Domain Name Server (DNS) information.  This is usually included in the email they send you when your web site is ready.  The DNS information will look something like this:

ns1.webhostcompany.com

ns2.webhostcompany.com

Then enter this DNS information by clicking this "Domain Manager" link.  After logging in with your UserName and Password, go to the "Change DNS/Hosting Info" section and enter the changes. When you're done the domain name will point to your new web host in about 24-72 hours.  Note: When you enter your DNS information, do NOT include any IP addresses (for example 123.45.67.890).

If you have a free web site (such as members sites with AOL or Geocities), you can point your domain there by using our URL-forwarding option.  Note that it may take from 24-72 hours for the routing to propagate.

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What is a domain? What is Web hosting?

A domain name is an address on the Web which may or may not be connected to a web site. It usually fits the following format: www.yoursite.com. Many domain names are registered but are "parked" without a website.

Web hosting is the physical space and other services you rent on a remote computer - known as a server - connected to the Internet round the clock. Your hosting company is responsible for maintaining the remote computer/server.

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Can I register a domain and not order web hosting?

Yes! You are welcome to register any or all of your domain names through DomainsNow4U.com whether or not you are hosting your website with us. 

If you purchase a domain, and do not have web hosting for your site, you will not be able to show your website to anyone. 

If you register your domain name through DomainsNow4U.com, you will be able to point it to any web hosting company that you choose. You will always have access to your domain manager, and will be able to modify your domain name records any time you need. 

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Which Web hosting plan is right for me?

Choosing the right web hosting plan is a straightforward process: First decide what features you need to run your website, and then find the web host that offers those features. 

The hard part is knowing what features you will need to run your web site, especially if you are a beginner. Technical terms like Active Server Pages, PHP, MySQL, and Control Panels, can be quite confusing. It is also common not to know how much web space you will need for your website. 

The simplest answer to the question is that you should choose a Unix web hosting plan for most websites unless you specifically have a need for a feature that is found only in a Windows 2000 web hosting plan.

As far as how much web space you need is concerned, here's an example: 

Take a look at our own home page at https://www.domainsnow4u.com which uses about 85KB of web space. Yes, it's quite a big page. Now if you signed up for TBHost's cheapest hosting plan, you would get 15MB of web space, equivalent to about 165 pages of the same size.    

Please click for more information and a hosting plan comparison.

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Are all Web hosting companies the same?

No. Web hosting companies are as different as the people who run them, and the customers that they have. Web hosting companies are the most different when it comes to their commitment to high quality support. 

With most web hosting companies, you will be treated like a number. If you need support, you may not even have a phone number to call in case of emergency. 

Web hosts also compete with each other with a wide variety of prices and services. 

Many of the customers of our partner TBHost join after the "Cheap Web Hosting Company" that they were hosting with went out of business, or just disappeared without warning. 

That's why maybe they aren't the "Cheapest Web Hosting Company" on the internet. Like us, TBHost is building a reputation based on quality customer support and satisfaction while maintaining affordable web hosting prices. 

TBHost is a division of Timberbrook Publishing, Inc. a well known, profitable, internet company that has been building internet businesses since 1998. You can rest assured that when you host your site with them, they will be there for you. Please click for details of TBHost's web hosting plans.

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What software do I need to design my web site?

The type of software you need to design your website depends on several factors. Your site's requirements or wish-list will determine what software you will be able to use. 

The most popular web page editor is FrontPage, although any web page editor that will allow you to save your pages locally and upload them to your web server will work fine. Other popular web page design software products are Cold Fusion, and Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Many of our customers use a word processing program such as Microsoft Word to create their pages. It also helps to have an FTP program such as WSftp or Cute FTP to upload your pages to your website, and a basic image editing program like Ulead Photo Impact, or a similar program. 

The process of creating your first website may seem difficult at first, but the learning curve is surprisingly short, and most people learn to design and make changes to their website very quickly. 

If you order a web hosting package with Site Studio, you will not need any outside web page editing program to edit your pages or design the look and feel of your website. You will be able to create and make changes to your website with only your web browser. 

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Why should I host my site with you?

There are many web hosting companies to choose from. At first glance, most web hosting companies are essentially offering the same thing - Web Hosting. 

As you investigate further though, you will find that there is a difference. Many will try to dazzle you with the amount of space per package, some will lure you in with a cheap price and then not deliver what they promised, and some web hosting companies are so large that they can't offer you any personal attention. 

You shouldn't fall for gimmicks, or always go for the lowest price. 

Your website is a powerful tool and a reflection of your business, and you need to know that you are hosted with a company that will provide reliable service, and give you the personal attention you deserve. 

Is it worth saving a few dollars per month if your website is down when your customers need it? 

Is it a bargain if the hosting company's tech support can't help you?

Our partner, TBHost doesn't offer the cheapest web hosting, but they do offer good value and excellent customer service. 

Many hosting customers come to TBHost from other web hosting companies, they usually switch due to their so called "cheap web hosting company" going out of business, or not being able to deliver the service they promised. 

TBHost has been providing web hosting and design services since 1998; they are a profitable company with no debt. They'll be here when you need them, and promise to always make customer support and reliable service their top priorities. 

Click for more about TBHost's web hosting plans.

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If I sign up for Web hosting, what kind of support do you offer?

Our partner, TBHost gives each customer personal attention. 

When you sign up for a hosting account with TBHost.com, you will have a personal tech support person on a toll-free number, who will answer all of your support related questions, 7am - 11pm, and will take a personal interest in your success. 

You are not made to play touch tone tag; the phone is answered by a real person who can answer your web hosting related questions. TBHost offers a level of customer service that is rare in the web hosting industry. 

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Do you have any restrictions for hosting X-rated sites?

We only host adult sites on a "Standard Unix" or higher plan. We need to know at the time of signing up that it's an adult site. That way we can assign it an IP so that it doesn't interfere with our business customer's web sites. Important: Please note that if any illegal content, or links to illegal content (e.g. under age models) is found on the site, the account will be suspended without refunds and will be reported to the proper authorities.

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I have a website, how can I point my domain to it?

You have two options to change the hosting of your domain.

The first option is the most direct. Contact your web host and obtain your DNS (Domain Name Server) Information. 

Once you have the DNS information, return to the DomainsNow4U website and update your DNS records online, gaining access to our Member Login area with your username and password. 

Choose the "Change DNS/Hosting Info" link, then select the domain you wish to change the hosting for and enter your new DNS information.

Some hosts, though, will not allow unique domains to point to your site. In that case, you'll need the second option. That is our URL-forwarding service. 

URL-forwarding is a function of the management control panel. Access the Manage section through our Member Login with your username and password and select the URL-forwarding link. There is a nominal fee of just $5.00 per name per year to receive our banner-free forwarding to the URL of your choice.

You can use a www URL- http like this: //www.yourcompany.com/yourexamplesite.html

or a host URL- http like this:

//12.34.56.789

Both options will take about 24-48 hours to take effect.

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What is a DNS?

What is "Free Parking"?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates a domain name from letters (www.yourdomain.com) into a numerical IP address (NS1.YOURDOMAIN.COM 63.85.86.14).

Each time you register a domain name you must specify your DNS information. If you register a domain name through DomainsNow4U.com, you can use our DNS information free of charge.  This is known in the industry as "parking" a domain.

Parking your domain name is free using DomainsNow4U.com's servers. By default all new .COM, .NET, .US, .ORG, .BIZ, .INFO domains registered with us are parked for free on our servers. You can change the DNS information at any time, also free of charge, but be aware, your new DNS host may charge you a parking fee...

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Why would I need to change my DNS information?

If you have a new web site or email account, your web hosting company or ISP will ask you to change your DNS information -- typically, they would become the new DNS host -- so that your domain name can point to your web site and your email account can be setup. 

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How do I change the DNS information for my Domain Name?

Your web hosting company should have given you the primary and secondary DNS information. This information will usually take this form:

Primary Hostname:  ns1.examplehostname.com
Primary IP- 123.45.67.8
Secondary Hostname:  ns2.examplehostname.com
Secondary IP- 123.45.67.9

You can log on to our website at www.DomainsNow4U.com, and click the "Login to Manage Your Domains" link in the left hand column. Enter the username and password you chose at the time of registration. If you have forgotten the username and password you chose, you may enter the email address you entered at the time of registration to have your username and password emailed to you.

After you log in, you will see links to the actions you can perform. Click the "Change DNS/Hosting Info" link. You will be able to see the current name server information listed. Select the domain(s) whose hosting you wish to alter, and click the "Continue" button.

On the next screen, you will be able to enter the hosting information your host has given to you. Replace the current servers with the new server info (you may omit the IP addresses, as they are optional), and click the "Continue" button. Your new DNS information will be automatically entered if it is verified to be valid.

It will take about 24 - 48 hours for your change to propagate Internet-wide.

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How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?

Typically, the DNS changes will be completed in about 24 to 48 hours. This is standard Internet propagation time. The central registry databases update automatically, upon your submission of new information. 

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Can I register new nameservers in your system?

Yes.  Login to your domain manager Control Panel Login link in the left hand column with the username and password of the account containing the domain you wish to specify as the hostname of your new name servers.

Click the Name server Management link. You will be able to create new name servers, edit current name servers, or delete current name servers. 

The name server you wish to create must be a domain in this account. Click the "New" button to create new name servers. Then you will choose your new server hostnames:  i.e. NS1.YOURNEWSERVERHOSTNAME.COM & 
NS2.YOURNEWSERVERHOSTNAME.COM

You must also fill in the IP addresses that you wish to associate with your new hostnames.  You must use 2 unique static IP addresses; no other servers may already use the IPs. 

After each name server submission, click the "Continue" button. If your information is valid, your name servers will be sent to the central database. It will take 24-48 hours for your name servers to propagate. 

Note:  Non-US name server records that don't currently have a registry record must be created by us manually. Please email us with details.

This is the limit of our technical support. If you need support on how to configure your server or any other name server issue, please obtain outside support.

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What is "DNS Service"?

Our "DNS Service" is for you if have a Mail Exchange or Web site hosted on your computer. We will host your domain and you can easily manage A (Address), CNAME (Alias), and MX (Mail Exchanger) DNS records. You can add/update up to 20 DNS records per domain without the need of running confusing nameserver software. Note however that you will still be responsible for configuring your mail or web site server host, but we allow you to specify the IP address or hostname of that host.

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How much does your "DNS Service" cost?

Our "DNS Service" costs just $6.95 per domain per year.

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How do I activate "DNS Service"?

Login to your domain account with your Username and Password. After login, go to the "Services" section and click the "DNS Services" link.

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I signed up for Web hosting and just want to change the DNS. Is "DNS Service" for me?

No. If you are looking to change the DNS for a domain, please login to the domain manager, go to the "Manage Your Domain" section and click the "Change DNS/Hosting Info" link. This service is FREE.

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How do I set up a Mail Exchange server/ Website Hosting server?

Our "DNS Service" allows you to specify the DNS servers of your host, but it is still up to your host to configure everything properly. DNS Service allows you to specify the IP address or hostname of your MX record, CNAME record or A NAME record, but it is still up to you to configure everything else.

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With "DNS Service" who hosts my domain, website, email?

We host your domain, and will allow you to specify the IP address or hostname of your MX record, CNAME record or ANAME record. You will be responsible for the hosting and configuration of your website or email.

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With "DNS Service" is there anything I can't do?

Due to traffic restrictions, we strictly prohibit the sending of unsolicited email for any domain hosted on our DNS servers.

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What is an MX record?

A mail exchanger (MX) is a server setup to accept mail for your domain name and either holds it for delivering to your users or passes it to another mail server. To receive internet mail, your mail server should be SMTP compliant and run on port 25. For UNIX variants, two popular servers are qmail and sendmail.

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What is an A record?

An A record is the most common type of DNS resource record. It tells a DNS server what IP address to map a host name to. With an A record, you can set www.yourname.com to point to a specific IP address.

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What is a CNAME record?

A CNAME record is a domain alias, and points a host name to another host name. 

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Why would I want to set up CNAMEs instead of A records?

Using CNAMEs saves time when managing several domains pointing to the same server. For example, a web server within the domain mydomain.com may be named snoopy. When the IP for snoopy changes, the administrator changes snoopy's A record and that's it! "www.mydomain.com" simply points to "snoopy.mydomain.com" so there are no other changes to make. It saves time when you have 30 or 40 domains CNAMEd to one A record.

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Do you support other resource records?

We currently only support A, MX, and CNAME resource records.

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