Q: How competitive are your prices?
A: Our prices are very competitive, especially considering the level and quality of service that we provide. You will always be able to find a cheaper price, but we believe providing quality is more important than cutting corners.

Q: What makes your services better than what is commonly available?
A: We take security very seriously - the outside of the facility requires both a fingerprint and keycard scan. Once inside, you must enter an additional code to enter our section of the facility. Our network has multiple (redundant) Cisco switches, and is connected via fiber. We actively monitor our network, and have backup parts and equipment ready to go. We have CCNE, MCSE, RedHat, and CISSP certified engineers on-hand. We have a low-latency network. To really get the "big picture", we'd be happy to schedule a time where we can discuss this in detail, and answer your questions.

Q: What is Virtual Hosting?
A: Also known as shared hosting, this form of web hosting should suffice for most everyone. Virtual hosting simple refers to the fact that your site is on one server, and that this server hosts mulitple sites. You are virtually shared - your site will not be the only one on this specific server. Very few sites would actually need the power of a dedicated server, so this option provides to be a reliable and cheap solution.

Q: What is the difference between UNIX hosting and Windows hosting?
A: Depending on which operating system to go with depends on your needs. If you need to support Microsoft products such as ASP, MS Access, or VBScript, then Windows hosting would be better. Furthermore, if you are comfortable with IIS and do not have the time to understand how UNIX works, Windows hosting would again be a better choice. It is important to note that unless you really need Windows-based hosting, Linux/Unix hosting is usually a better choice - because IIS has had several exploits in the past (and probably will again in the future). There are some things to remember. First of all, just because you use Windows at home does not mean you should use Windows hosting. The two are completely different, and having a Windows system at home will not affect your ability to communicate with a UNIX server. Secondly, Linux is much more common with web hosts due to its superior stability and because it is free. Since it is free, Linux hosting is usually cheaper than Windows. Just because it.s free does not mean it.s not as good - Linux is an excellent operating system.

Q: How much bandwidth/traffic am I allowed per server?
A: This depends on the colocation package you purchase. Some packages are "flat-rate", and are not metered. Other packages contain set amounts of bandwidth, with an agreed-upon rate for overages. We offer the ability to upgrade your colocation package "on the fly", in the event that you suddenly need more bandwidth -- which is something most colocation providers do not offer.

Q: My host offers unlimited bandwidth/space/transfer. Why don't you?
A: It is not possible for a web host to offer 'unlimited' bandwidth or diskspace. Such hosting plans always come with clauses that restrict how much bandwidth you can transfer at a given moment, how much CPU usage you can use (which is arbitrarily decided), and so forth. As hosting companies and their associated technologies are themselves limited (i.e. bandwidth or hard disk space), unlimited offerings are usually just an advertising gimmick. Often you will find clauses embedded deep within the company's terms of service contract that negate the unlimited offering. The clauses are usually arbitrary, such as excessive CPU usage will be grounds for account termination.

Q: Why don't I just go with some ridiculously low priced hosting company?
A: A host has to make a profit to continue operating. Some hosts do not properly understand the market, and may be pricing themselves too cheap. Support personnel, quality equipment, backup hardware, bandwidth, and more cost money. Cheap hosting companies have to cut corners somewhere... We believe it's more important to provide a quality hosting experience rather than price ourselves into the "cheap" hosting market.

Q: Can I run my own hosting company using your colocation service?
A: Absolutely. If you'd like to offer dialup service to your customers as well, We offer a Virtual ISP service -- so you can take advantage of our low nationwide rates.

Q: How many IP Addresses am I allowed to have?
A: This depends on the package you purchase. Regardless, additional IPs are always available at a flat rate.

Q: What type of web sites will you host?
A: We host commercial and non-commercial web sites. However, we will not host adult oriented sites.

Q: How long does it take to set up a new account?
A: Orders for domain name accounts will be configured within 24 hours, and most times will be done the same day. Once an account is set up an activation notice will be sent you via email including a userid, password, and FTP host-name. You can begin uploading files to your new web site immediately. Domain account users will be given a temporary URL to access their site via the web prior to the completion of either domain registration or transfer.

Q: What are your web hosting Terms of Service or Acceptable Use Policy?
A: Please refer to the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy at the bottom of every webpage on this site.

Q: Do you handle domain registration?
A: Yes. You can register a new domain through our online order form. It is completely automatic. If you have problems ordering a new domain, our support personnel can assist you.

Q: Do you offer web design services?
A: Yes. More information regarding our web design services is available here.

Q: Is "spamming" permitted through my account?
A: No. We do not permit spamming of any type on our servers. We clearly state this at the time of order, and require you to certify that you have read and understand our terms and conditions prior to signing up for an account. Should you still decide to send unsolicited email, we will bill you for violating the "no UCE/SPAM" clause in our terms of service. We reserve the right to immediately terminate any domain without warning, without refund, that sends out unsolicited commercial email. If you wish to send email to people in OPT-IN lists, this is allowed IF those individuals have actually asked to receive advertisements or newsletters. The definition of "opt-in" is exclusively up to us - if we receive more than a few complaints about your "opt in" list, we will consider your "opt in" list to be UCE/SPAM. It is in your best interest to make SURE that anyone on your email lists have actually opted in to receive your emails. You must keep proof that the recipient did in fact opt in. Using purchased lists of supposedly "opt in" email addresses is expressly forbidden. Additionally, any "opt in" lists must NOT be commercial in any way, without prior review and written approval from us. Approval or disapproval is at our sole discretion.

Q: Where are your Colocation facilities located?
A: Our main colocation facility is located in Houston, TX. However, we can provide colocation service in over 100 cities. Please call for details.

Q: Where can I find more information about the Plesk control panel on my server?
A: The Client manual is available here, and the Domain-level manual is available here.

Q: What if my colocated server has a problem?
A: We can set an appointment to work on your server for you, or meet you at the facility.

Q: Can I visit the facility to work on my server myself?
A: Yes - you're welcome to come to our facility by appointment to work on your server, whether it’s to fix a problem, or to upgrade the hardware. We also have our own engineers who will be glad to work on your server at an hourly rate.

Q: Its half way through the month! Will you pro-rate this month?
A: Yes. We will bill you from the date your server is placed online to the end of the month, prorated.

Q: Is there an engineer onsite 24 hours a day at the facility?
A: Yes. The core facility has staff on-location 24 hours a day. They primarily monitor network health and control access to the facility, but can also provide various additional services for a fee.

Q: I'm building my server; can you recommend what I need?
A: Absolutely. Email support@qualhost.net, and we'll be glad to help.

Contact us if you have any further questions or submit a support ticket if you are having trouble with your service.