STRATO AG

  Initial Webshop Questions

• What functions are available with STRATO shops?

  A STRATO Webshop comes with ready to use features that help you set up a online shop in 20 minutes. In addition to that, all STRATO Webshops include a web hosting package with domain(s), web space, traffic, valuable software and more!
  
  •  Create and combine different product groups
  •  Offer your shop in several languages and currencies
  •  Offer different means of payment (e.g. invoice, debit, credit card), plus interfaces for PayPal,   PayNova, WorldPay
  •  Track and administer your orders. Receive updates about new orders
  •  Sell your articles easily on eBay
  •  List your products with search engines and price comparison platforms (Google Base, Kelkoo, shopping.com)
  •  Inform your customers about new offers
  •  Request a quality seal from Trusted Shops to incorporate within your site. Your STRATO shop already optimised for this certification.
  • Analyse and evaluate the behaviour of visitors to your shop
  
  This is naturally only a small selection of the many features available with STRATO Webshops. You can find further detailed information about individual features within the appropriate area of your STRATO Webshop.

• Do I really not need any programming knowledge to create my online shop?

  To set up and administer your STRATO online shop you do not need any programming knowledge. With the help of numerous design templates and customisable functions you can easily create a professional and individual shop, without any programming required.

  With STRATO shops you can also edit your text in HTML. However, customers without HTML knowledge can format text using the convenient Editor facility.

• What do I require in addition to my shop so that my customers can purchase from my website?

  When you order a STRATO Webshop, you have everything you need to sell your products on the Web. Everything you need is contained in one package: free domain(s) (your own address in the internet), own E-mail addresses and storage on our secured servers. Furthermore you will receive additional professional software, like Abobe® GoLive and Photoshop Elements 5.0, that offers you even more possibilities to enhance your web presence.

• What is a Domain and how does my shop get incorporated into my domain?

  An example of what a domain or domain name could be is www.desireddomain.co.uk, which can be used for web addresses like www.desireddomain.co.uk and mail address such as name@desireddomain.co.uk
  Your online shop is automatically linked to its address (domain) on our servers. If you have other domains with us, you can simply redirect these domains to your shop. In fact, you can redirect your domains to any position within your shop. You can therefore decide whether customers first see your shop, or whether they should see a general homepage before clicking on a link to proceed on your shop.

• Where do I find instructions for using STRATO shops?

  Context-sensitive help is always available within the shop administration area. Each function is accompanied by an easily accessible help facility.
  You can also open the online manual from the navigation bar in the administration area. The link to the online manual is right at the top of the screen, next to the “logout” option. One click on the link opens the manual in a new window.
  

• How long does it take before my shop is set up?

  After ordering a online shop, your shop and the administration are immediately accessible. This is because all the administration for your shop is done online, and it is not necessary to install any special software on your computer. Setting up your shop can be done very quickly: choose a design, enter some products, and with a few mouse clicks the first version of your shop is ready!

• Where is the data for my shop stored, and how is it protected?

  STRATO uses the latest generation of SUN servers to power your online shop. The newest security mechanisms make attacks on your data almost impossible. STRATO guarantees excellent data security and speed for your Internet contents.
  

  Beginner´s Questions

• What is webspace?

  Webspace is storage space on an external computer, which is also referred to as a server. In principle a server is the same as hard disk space on your PC.
  The difference is that that the server is not located at the user´s home, but at the supplier, otherwise referred to as the provider. Another difference is that the server is always connected to the Internet. Anyone knowing your domain name can view all the pages you publish on the Internet.

• What is the difference between a domain and a webpage?

  A domain or domain name is a uniquely identifiable assigned name which is stored or registered at a special registration institute. Because of its unique character, each domain and IP address can only be registered once worldwide. A domain is usually made up of three sections: www.yourstratodomain.eu .
  "www." -> stands for "world wide web", which is a system that can be accessed over the Internet.
  "yourstratodomain" -> is the actual domain name
  .eu -> is what is referred to as a Top Level Domain (TLD) and is normally made up of a country code like .nl for Netherlands, .es for Spain and so on. Other TLDs are registered for specific user groups, as .eu for Europa.
  In contrast, webpages make up the contents of a website/homepage that is stored on a server. The page contents are displayed when a user types the domain name into the address line in his browser.

• What is FTP?

  The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you transfer files from one computer to another. It is usually used when files need to be transferred from a local PC to a remote server over the Internet or the other way around. As a rule you can transfer any number of files or folders to the server or download them from there. Transferring files to an FTP server is called ´uploading´ and transferring from an FTP server to a remote client (e.g. your computer) is called ´downloading´. You can also create new directories, delete existing ones and rename files and directories.

• How can I create my own website with STRATO?

  You can use STRATO LivePages to build your website yourself as an extra internet presence apart from your online shop. Over 220 design templates and 400,000 exciting variations let you create your website in no time.
  We also offer you miscellaneous software to freely create your own website. Namo WebEditor, which is included from STRATO BasicShop upwards, lets you upload your website directly to the server. Or simply use the text or HTML editor of your choice to create and update your web pages. The STRATO software CD contains a variety of other useful programmes for building your web pages including Smart FTP and UltraEdit-32 (STRATO PremiumShop).
  

• How do I publish my own pages on the Internet?

  With LivePages the publication of your own pages is made easy - it only takes a mouse click.Otherwise, you can use SmartFTP. Smart FTP lets you easily transfer files to the space reserved for you on STRATO´s server. In principle the programme functions like a simple-to-use copier. You see two windows, on the left, the hard disk and your computer, and on the right, your password-protected space on the STRATO server.

• How many web pages can I set up with 30 MB of storage space?

  The data volume of a single web-page mainly depends on the type and number of content. A simple text page may be around 10 KB in size, a single image could be no more than 20 to 30 KB. With 1 MB you could have around 100 text pages or some 30 to 50 images. If you are planning to have a large number of images on your website, or you want to grow you website quickly. Get more information on the storage capacity of your shop by clicking on "Hosting Packages" under "Webshop packages".
  

• Can I access statistics for analysing visitor traffic?

  We supply you with comprehensive statistics as log-files and in graphical form; this feature can be used by subscribers of STRATO AdvancedShop and PremiumShop. This allows you to analyse both the strengths and weaknesses of your online presence. This information will help you analyse visitor activity.

  Domains

• How long does it take before my favourite domain name gets registered?

  Usually your domain name gets registered within a few days Then you will be automatically sent your login data to access the customer service area.

• How do I redirect a domain?

  Cleverly designed redirect functions are available to all STRATO Webshop customers. These allow redirection to another domain that you can choose freely, such as a website already hosted by another online provider. When your new domain name is entered in the browser address line, the browser is re-directed to the domain you specified. Your domain name can still be seen in the browser address line, meaning that the original, often much longer, address remains hidden. A redirect is also possible without restriction to sub-domains for other addresses.

• Who is the owner of this domain?

  Your domain is booked and registered in your name by STRATO. Which means that you retain the exclusive right of use to the domain (domain owner). The annual charges applicable for registering and servicing your domain are included in the monthly charges you pay STRATO.

• Can I move to STRATO with my existing domain?

  Yes, transfer your .eu, .biz, .com, .net, org. or .info-domains to STRATO.

  E-mail

• Can I redirect my mails to another address?

  Each POP3 and IMAP E-mail address at STRATO has a separate forwarding function for mails, allowing you to redirect or forward mails to any address you choose. If you already have an e-mail address, you can, for instance, redirect one of your new .eu addresses to it. Such as Julia@yourstratodomain.eu to "Julia@aol.com").

• What protection does STRATO provide against spam?

  With the help of server-side AntiSpam from STRATO you can control the E-mails delivered to your inbox using a variety of powerful security features and protection mechanisms. Steganos® Internet Security Software is available to our customers from STRATO BasicShop onwards. This software protects your computer from not only Spam but also viruses, hackers etc. This software is included free of charge in all web hosting packages.
  
  
  

  Additional Features

• What is STRATO Communicator?

  STRATO Communicator is a System with Webmailer, Organiser, Appointment Diary, Address Book and countless other features such as:
  •Calendar
  •File management
  •Utility tools for no-nonsense working
  •Guest function for multi-user access
  •Multiple options for your personal needs

• What is LivePages?

  LivePages provides you with an easy-to-use tool enabling you to simply and professionally create your own website. You require neither programming knowledge or complex special software to create your site. LivePages offers you a quick and easy method of designing webpages. Using individual design examples that are specific to your theme or topic (which contain both matched page structures that you can modify to your exact needs) you can create a new website in no time.

• What is a blog (weblog) and what can I do with it?

  A blog, or weblog, is generally a regularly and chronologically updated list of thoughts and articles. Blogs are published by one person or a group of people and can contain both personal stories and occurrences, as well as helpful information concerning a general or specialist field of interest.
  A blog is an Internet page on which the creator/owner can write a kind of Internet diary or online newspaper. Countless bloggers publish their opinions, ideas and thoughts on general or very specific themes, and by doing so, reach an enormous fan community.

• Do I have to pay extra for my blog?

  No, your blog doesn´t cost any extra. As a part of the STRATO Webshop, you will get a all inclusive web hosting package with many easy to use tools and professional features. The STRATO blog is a service which is included in the web hosting packages. STRATO EasyBlog is part of the STRATO BasicShop package and STRATO ProBlog is included in all shops starting from STRATO AdvancedShop and above.

• How can I use my blog (activation/setting up your blog)?

  When you order a online shop with STRATO, your blog is included free of charge. A separate order is, therefore, not necessary. After ordering your shop, you will automatically receive your access data for our customer service area. After logging in, you only have to activate the blog once. Detailed step-by-step instructions are included in our extensive FAQs.

• What is a permalink?

  At STRATO your personal permalink for your blog is automatically included. Your domain name is your permalink. Since your domain is unique, never changes and belongs to you, your permalink is your Internet address or identity. And with STRATO you have a big advantage that your selected domain name (your Internet address / identity) is included free of charge with all packages! Simply link up your domain and blog and thereby be accessible via your personal Internet address anytime, and anywhere. In contrast to standard blog providers, which just offer their users a cryptic link to their blogs, STRATO offers you the chance of choosing your blog´s own Internet address, making it simpler for you family and friends to find you. It couldn´t be easier!

• How can I order my free included software?

  You have the possibility to order your inclusive software in the ordering process. You can also, however, order the software later by calling our Customer ContactCenter at 00800 800 700 70. 
  

  Contract and Billing details

• How long does a contract with STRATO last?

  STRATO BasicShop has a contract period of 12 months. STRATO AdvancedShop and PremiumShop have a contract period for 6 months. A domain (.co.uk, .eu, .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz) is registered for a period of 12 months. 
  

• How often do I have to pay?

  The billing cycle differs for every STRATO Webshop (http://www.strato-hosting.co.uk/shops/packages.html). Please note that your credit card will automatically be charged at the beginning of each billing cycle for the duration of the contract.

• Which payment possibilities do I have?

  STRATO offers you secure and convenient payment method with Master and VISA card. Please note that you will very soon be able to pay with Switch and Solo.

  Ordering and Support

• What is the quickest way to order a STRATO package?

  We recommend ordering over the Internet as the quickest method. Your order is then dispatched directly over a secure SSL link without delay. You receive mail confirmation immediately. You can also call our free-phone Hotline on 00800 – 800 700 70.

• What technical support does STRATO provide?

  STRATO offers a comprehensive FAQ database which will constantly be expanded and updated. Please feel free to contact our experienced team of competent and friendly experts at the STRATO CustomerCareCenter - available 6am-10pm (Mon-Fri) and 9am-7pm (Sat-Sun). Call 00800 800 700 70 (freecall).

• How can I avail the 60 day money back guarantee?

  We are convinced that you will be satisfied with your STRATO product and services, and therefore offer a 60-day money back guarantee.
  
  In order to avail the guarantee, kindly call our qualified ContactCenter at 00800 800 700 70 (free call). Kindly note that a full refund will be given only for one package in that product catagory covering the setup fees and monthly instalments. This, however, does not include a refund for the additional domain names registered or software shipping. Moreover, please note that the "unpacked" software CD received by the customer, at the time of ordering, needs to be sent back to STRATO.