If an email bounces straight back with this message, our mail server is asking your email program to log in before sending. The fix is to turn on outgoing server authentication.

In Microsoft Outlook:

1. 1Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings.
2. 2Select the account that’s having trouble and click Change, then More Settings.
3. 3On the Outgoing Server tab, tick My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication and choose Use same settings as my incoming mail server.
4. 4On the Advanced tab, set the outgoing server port to 587 with encryption set to STARTTLS (or Auto).
5. 5Click OK, then Next to test the account settings.

Older setups can also use “POP before SMTP”: checking for new mail first allows sending from your connection for up to 30 minutes. Turning on authentication is the better, permanent fix.

No. There are no hidden costs or fees with a Dot Internet Solutions hosting account. The price you see is the price you pay.

Pointing your domain to our nameservers connects it to your hosting with us.

1. 1Sign in to your GoDaddy account.
2. 2Go to Domain Portfolio (under Domains in your account menu).
3. 3Click the domain you want to update, then open the DNS tab and choose Nameservers.
4. 4Click Change Nameservers and select I’ll use my own nameservers.
5. 5Enter the nameservers from your Dot Inc. welcome email, replacing the existing ones, and click Save.

Website statistics use a few terms that are easy to mix up:

Statistics can come from your server’s log files, which you’ll find in cPanel and which are very accurate, or from a tracking tool you add to your site, such as Google Analytics.

You could, but we don’t recommend it:

• Your ISP may not allow it. Most residential plans forbid running a web server, and doing so can get your account cancelled.
• Security and upkeep are on you. You’d need to keep the computer secure, patched and running 24/7.
• Performance suffers. Hosting servers have far more power and much faster, redundant internet connections than home DSL or cable.
• No one to call. If something breaks, it’s your job to fix it, with no professional support behind you.

Some cheap hosts are fine, but deals that look too good to be true often are. Before you sign up, check:

1. 1The fine print. Read the terms of service and acceptable use policy. Some hosts use them to limit what you can actually do.
2. 2“Unlimited” claims. Unlimited space or bandwidth isn’t really possible, and usually comes with hidden limits.
3. 3Speed and reliability. Some hosts cut corners on bandwidth and servers. Visit their own website a few times a day and see if it stays fast.
4. 4Support. Test how quickly they answer and look over their help documentation.
5. 5Reputation. Look up reviews on Google and WebHostingTalk.

A low price doesn’t have to mean poor service, but it pays to be careful.