BASIC SETUP INFO
All the basic setup questions are answered very well at the 1and1 site. Login, go to Contract Overview and then hit Select Contract. That gives you a bunch of Administration and Configuration Options for the site. Go to the Downloads section (in the list along the left.) Download and read the .pdf
1&1 Easy Setup Guide and the
1&1 Web Hosting Manual.
They are well written and a quick read.
And/or go to the Help tab, click on Technical Support, and read the introductory material. It's all there, and may help you understand what web hosting is.
For the pdf averse, try
http://faq.1and1.com, though the pdfs are easier to use.
Awesome for free, but it can be confusing. I don't know that I'd recommend it to someone who was paying full price.
For anyone who's ever actually used a host before and has something to compare it to - it's actually just fine. The manuals and help are excellent. I'm going to give up the pay host I'm using now when it expires.
DOMAIN NAMES
As many have suggested in this thread, though it's a few bucks more -
it's safer to register your domain name somewhere other than 1and1 - you'll have more control if problems develop. You'll also have the comfort of knowing that 1and1 doesn't have your credit card info, as if you don't register a domain name, no CC info is needed. For example, some here use
godaddy.com
When registering a new domain, you don't have to put your name into the registration for the site. Put "Site Administrator" or "Web Master" or something else as your first and last name for the Administrative Contact, Billing Contact, etc. (Obviously the credit card info page needs your real name.) In other words, the contact information for the domain name does not have to be the same as the account information you provide to your registrar (godaddy.com or whoever you use).
You don't need to, or want to (for most), transfer a domain name to 1and1. Instead, set 1and1 to use an externally registered domain; and then set (at the registrar of that domain) that domain to point to the 1and1 name servers.
Originally posted by: 2fargon
Info... to use an externally registered domain name...
click order domain name from the configuration and settings page
At DNS transfer click next
Enter your domain name/click next..
Create an External Domain Name by DNS Transfer/click next..
Choose Your Mail Servers/click on Order with current mail exchanger
next screen gives you the name servers [<--- !]
p.s. even though the button says order there is nothing to enter about payment so dont be afraid to click on it
Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
You need to get in touch with whoever holds your domain name and have them forward name server requests to ns1.1and1.com and ns2.1and1.com.
Most decent registrars have a feature that lets you change the Name Servers. Look for it, it should only take a few minutes and it's not complicated.
For example, at godaddy, login, go to Manage Domains, click on the domain you want to modify. Off to the right you should see Nameservers Summary with a link to modify it.
Nameservers: - point your externally registered domain name to the name servers that were provided to you when you entered the info into the control panel; you should get an email with the info as well. Something like ns27.1and1.com and ns28.1and1.com
It takes up to 48 hours for the change to take full effect across the web - the info gets forwarded around. "Your DNS servers still have to notify the masters, and they have to notify everyone else. "
.TK DOMAIN NAMES
You can get a free .tk name (or more than one) to point to the site and forward five email addresses at
dot.tk. Note that you have to wait until the 1and1 address (xxxxx.onlinehome.us) works (and is finished "applying") before you can get a .tk pointer to work.
Originally posted by: kitkit201
I can't seem to find the DNS server inputs on the dot.tk control panel.. can someone tell me where it is? I tried the modify domain, but it only shows my online address, no where can i change my dns server? HELP!
You can't modify the name servers on a .tk address, you don't own the domain. It's just a pointer for URLs and a forwarder for emails.
If you want real URLs and want to be able to send email - you need to register a real domain name.
Originally posted by: 2fargon
http://www.tk its free but gives you a pop up when you first load the page.
With .tk you can even turn off the one popup, by editing your marketing preferences...
Originally posted by: MunchiesActually
1. Log in your account
2. Scroll down to MY MARKETING
3. Choose your domain
4. Hit the radio button "No Pop Up"