What do I need to use Verizon's Web hosting services?
Does Verizon provide Internet service?
Do I need any special software?
Once I place my order, how long does it take to get my site up and running?
What platforms or operating systems does Verizon use?
If I use Microsoft® Windows® at home, can I still host my site on a Linux platform?
Does Verizon offer 24-hour support?
Can I access my site at any time to make changes?
How do I manage my account and access Verizon's tools? What about checking email?
Does Verizon support Microsoft® FrontPage®?
What database solutions does Verizon offer?
What type of data center does Verizon have? Is it secure?
What is Verizon's policy on upgrading software that comes with my hosting plan?

All you need to use Verizon's Web hosting services is a computer with a browser and a connection to the Internet.

No. Verizon is not an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP provides a connection to the Internet via dial-up, digital cable or DSL. Verizon, a Web hosting provider, provides Web servers on which you can place your Web site files for people to access via the Internet. To use Verizon's Web hosting services, you must have an Internet connection.

As long as you have a browser and an Internet connection, you can get your Web site up and running. Verizon provides a Web-based FTP tool you can use to upload your files as well as an optional site building tool you can use to design your site. Of course, you can use your own FTP and HTML applications if you like.

Once you place your order and your payment is processed, you can upload your site immediately using the temporary URL we will provide you. Your temporary URL enables you to get your site up and running while your domain name propagates throughout the Internet.

Verizon offers both Linux and Windows® platforms. Our Linux platforms run Apache Web server software, while our Windows® Server 2003 platforms run Microsoft® IIS.

ColdFusion operates in the Windows® Server platform.

In most cases it does not matter if you are using a different operating system at home or work. For example, you could use a Microsoft® Windows® XP system running Dreamweaver® to design your site and then upload it to your Linux Web server without any problems.

However, if you are developing your site using Windows-specific programming languages or tools, such as ASP, ASP.NET or ColdFusion, you will need a Windows hosting plan. If you are unsure what hosting platform to chose, you can contact our Sales staff who will help you determine the plan that best fits your needs.

Yes. Verizon's technical support staff is available 24-hours a day to assist you with any problems you have. All of our plans provide email support. All hosting plans also provide 24-hour telephone support.

For detailed information on which plans provide telephone support, please see our Plan Comparisons.

Yes. You can access your Web site files at any time to upload files or make changes. You can use Verizon's Web-based FTP to access your files, or you can use a third-party FTP client or Web development tool such as FrontPage. Any changes you make to your site will take effect immediately.

Verizon provides a Web-based control panel, SiteControl, you can use to manage all aspects of your Web hosting account and access Verizon's suite of tools. Verizon also provides a Web-based email tool, SiteMail, that enables you to send and receive email.

Because both of these tools are Web-based, you can access them at any time and from any location as long as you have a browser and a connection to the Internet.

Microsoft FrontPage provides users with a What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) HTML editor and includes a publish feature that enables users to transfer files to and from the Web server. FrontPage also supports advanced features such guest books and hit counters. All of Verizon's plans support Microsoft FrontPage and Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions.

Verizon offers a number of database solutions. For select Linux plans, Verizon offers MySQL, an open source relational database management system that utilizes the SQL database language. It is a multi-user, multi-threaded database server that provides speed, robustness and ease-of-use. Verizon's MySQL databases are hosted on a dedicated MySQL server to ensure better database processing and faster performance.

For select Windows plans, Verizon offers Microsoft SQL Server, a complete database and data analysis software package. It is highly scalable and well-suited to complex ecommerce sites and enterprise applications. At Verizon, Microsoft SQL Server databases are hosted on a dedicated server to ensure optimal use of resources and faster performance. Verizon's Windows plans also support Microsoft Access, an easy-to-use database application that integrates with many Microsoft Office products. Access is a good choice if you want to use data from an existing Microsoft Office product or if you do not have large amounts of data.

For detailed information on the databases the different plans support, please see Verizon's Plan Comparisons.

Verizon currently operates a number of data centers throughout the world, including centers in Chicago, London and Seoul. Our state-of-the-art data centers are strategically located in areas of low or no occurrence of natural disasters and hubs of the Internet backbone.

Verizon data centers include fully redundant and diverse connections to the Internet backbone through multiple OC-3s and GigE connections to each of our international locations. This ensures the fastest and the most reliable connectivity service to our hosting customers.

The constant climate control is accomplished with computer controlled HVAC systems with back-up systems on stand-by. The power is routed through UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) for protection against power failures and interruptions.

Verizon data centers are under constant watch by our dedicated systems and network engineering team members who work together to ensure smooth and hassle-free 24x7 operation of our customers' Web sites.

You probably have some experience with upgrading software. If so, you are probably also aware of some of the pitfalls involved with such upgrades. As we are responsible for the reliability and stability of hundreds of thousands of Web sites and email systems, we are very careful when it comes to modifying our software.

As a matter of policy, we do not roll out the latest changes until they have been subjected to our extensive internal testing for at least several months. Also, we believe that it's wise to let the new release stabilize for several months, rather than roll out the changes immediately. Of course, there are some exceptions to this. When new security holes are identified and new patches released to fix them, we generally apply those patches right away.