Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why aren't 5uidhost's web hosting plans limited by feature?

2. Where are the 5quidhost servers located?

3. Why are some of your servers located in the USA?

4. If I choose USA-based hosting, does this mean that I can't use Google AdSense on my account because of the tax situation?

5. Can I install third party software on my account?

6. What is your server uptime?

7. Does 5quidhost offer ASP or Windows-based (IIS) web hosting?

8. What is the mimimum web hosting contract length?

9. How long has 5quidhost been in business?

10. How can I contact a 5quidhost representative?

11. How do I cancel my web hosting account?

12. Can I pay for web hosting in advance?

13. Is there a discount for paying in advance?

14. Do you sell domains?

15. Do you have a contact telephone number?

16. How do I upgrade my web hosting account?

17. What happens if I miss a payment?

18. Is there a time limit on the free Level 0 web hosting accounts?

19. Why is 5quidhost so cheap?

20. How can you afford to offer free hosting accounts?

21. Can I resell 5quidhost web hosting accounts?

22. Are there any limits on what I can host on my 5quidhost web site?

23. I'm new to web hosting, I'm not really sure how this all works?

24. What if I require some custom technical solution?

25. Do you offer web design services?

26. Can I have a free upgrade?

27. Can I pay by PayPal?

28. Do you offer ssh shell access?

29. I'm an untrained support monkey, can I have a job please?

30. Do you support wildcard DNS?

31. I've uploaded my site but I still get the 'Under Construction' page, how do I remove it?

32. How do I make my domain point at my web hosting account?

33. Why do you offer free web hosting accounts?

34. What can I use my free web hosting account for?

35. Can you recommend a good Kentucky Bourbon?

We don't believe in artificially limiting the featureset of a web hosting account.

We don't think that you should have to upgrade your account because it has less than 10 databases, or only 5 mailing lists or just 20 POP3 e-mail boxes.

Instead, we believe that the only metrics that web hosting should be sold on are disk space and bandwidth.

Everything else is unlimited.

We only care about how much data you're storing, and how much data you're shifting.

Our servers are located in both the USA, and the UK.

We use datacentres in Michigan, Texas, New York City, London and Maidenhead (Berkshire).

You can choose where you want your site to be hosted when you place your order.

Well, some of the world's finest Bourbon comes from Kentucky, which you might drive through on a roadtrip from one of our datacentres to the other.

Additionally, we (and therefore our customers) get more bang for our buck this way - US data prices and reliability coupled with UK-based support and administration.

The perfect combination.

However, if you'd prefer to have your site hosted in the UK, you can choose that option from our order form.

UK-based hosting is more expensive, however, due to the higher cost base of running UK-based servers (see the order form for details).

We're also happy to work out a custom pricing plan to suit your needs.

No, it does not mean that at all!

You can use Google AdSense on your account without filling out a tax form, just as you would if your site was hosted on servers physically located in the UK.

From the Google AdSense tax information page:

'Non U.S. Business (No U.S. Activities )':

"Generally, utilizing an unrelated third-party U.S. web hosting service to host your web pages, renting web servers that are located in the U.S. from an unrelated third party, or having your payment sent to a U.S. Post Office Box or mail forwarding address, do not of themselves constitute U.S. Activities.

If you do not have U.S. Activities, you will be asked to agree to a statement to that effect. No tax forms are required in this instance."

Yes, of course (assuming you can make it work!)

At the time of writing, our servers have been up an average of 63 continuous days.

Turned on its head, that works out at between 99.98% and 99.99% uptime since 5quidhost came into being.

No.

1 month, no strings attached.

We took our first tentative steps in May, 2004.

For technical support you can use the 'Support' link at the top of this page, or if you can't be bothered to scroll all the way to the top, you can click here.

For general enquiries, drop us a line here or use the 'Contact' button at the top of the page.

Well, we'd really prefer it if you didn't. If there's something special you'd like us to provide you with, do just ask and we'll see if we can't meet your requirements

If you're still sure you want to cancel your account, just let us know and we'll take care of it.

Yes, we offer payment in advance for 1, 6 and 12 month periods.

There's a discount (1 month free) for a 12 month advance payment.

No, we don't sell domain names. All of our customers register their domains with third party registrars.

Yes, we do - 0845 862 0311.

However, we prefer to handle all of our contact with our customers by e-mail, and we use it in the way it was intended.

Prompt, timely, informal and information-rich. With no pointless delays, and no impersonal machine-generated responses to your questions.

In many cases, e-mail support exchanges with customers are conducted over a period of minutes rather than hours. In the worst case scenario, you'll hear from us in under 24 hours.

Not convinced? Ask us a question - there's someone waiting to respond.

You can request an upgrade either by e-mailing us or by filling out a support request.

Just tell us what Level you'd like to upgrade to.

We'll then send you a payment link. As soon as payment is received, your account will be upgraded.

If you're having difficulty paying for your account, let us know. In most cases we can keep your website running until you resolve any payment issues at your end.

No, you can use your free Level 0 web hosting account for as long as you wish. It is 'time unlimited'.

However, if your domain isn't pointing at your account, it may be terminated automatically.

• USA-based servers keep bandwidth costs down and reliability up. See above.
• Non-braindead use of e-mail for support purposes keeps costs down. See above

The cost of offering free accounts is very small asthey don't use a significant amount of disk space and bandwidth. The cost associated with the free accounts is factored into our business plan and is covered by the revenue from paid accounts.

We don't have a problem with that - if you're a web designer and want to sell a 5quidhost web hosting account as part of a job, go right ahead!

In summary, nothing illegal. You can find more detail in our terms and conditions.

Don't worry, and don't be afraid to ask.

We'll talk you through getting your domain pointing at your web hosting account and will sort out any teething issues for you.

Talk to us - we'll do our best to provide you with what you require.

No, but we know a man who does.

Possibly. What have you got to offer us?

Yes, all accounts have that capability.

However, some security-related restrictions apply.

No. Have a banana instead.

Sure, just ask us to enable it on your account.

The default holding page is 'index.htm'. If you upload a file called 'index.html' it will not replace the default page.

Make sure you delete the 'index.htm' holding page if you're using 4 character file extensions.

All you have to do is update your domain's nameserver settings.

Every domain has two nameserver settings. The company that you purchased your domain from should have an interface on their website to allow you to change these settings.

To make your domain point at your web hosting account, update the settings to match those shown in your 5quidhost setup e-mail.

It normally takes 6-24 hours for this change to become active, after which time your domain will point at your 5quidhost web hosting account.

NB:Updating the nameservers is not the same thing as transferring a domain to a different provider (which would require an 'IPS tag'). If you're asked to supply an IPS tag, you're requesting the wrong thing!

Primarily, it gives prospective customers the chance to try out our service without incurring a financial penalty. They can set up their sites, do initial development and ensure everything is operational before their site goes active.

Additionally, supplying a high quality, bannerless, free web hosting account to those who only require a low disk space, low bandwidth presence on the 'net makes us feel good. We're nice like that.

Sure, we like Maker's Mark and Knob Creek.