FAQs
Common questions,
straight answers.
No filler. If your question isn't here, reach out and we'll answer it directly.
Hosting
Hosting Questions
Which hosting plan is right for my business?+
For most small business sites, Managed WordPress is the right default — it handles automatic updates, daily backups, and performance without requiring manual maintenance. Website Builder is the fastest option if you don't want to deal with WordPress at all. cPanel is for developers or technically capable users who want more direct control. If you're not sure, reach out — we'll tell you exactly what to get based on your situation.
What's the difference between Managed WordPress and cPanel hosting?+
Managed WordPress is optimized specifically for WordPress — faster caching, automatic updates, and daily backups built in. cPanel is general-purpose shared hosting that gives you more direct control over your environment. Managed WordPress is better for most small business sites. cPanel is better for developers, agencies, or users who want to manage multiple sites with custom configurations.
Do you help with setup after I buy a hosting plan?+
Yes — that's a significant part of what we do. Buying a hosting plan is just the start. We offer a Full Stack Launch service ($249) that covers domain pointing, SSL configuration, WordPress hardening, and email DNS setup. For just the SSL, it's $79. For a full WordPress migration, $199. See our services page for the complete list.
What happens if my site goes down?+
Infrastructure issues (server-level downtime) are handled by the hosting provider with a 99.9% uptime SLA. If your site is down due to a configuration issue, a bad update, or something on your end — that's where we come in. Reach out directly and we'll diagnose it. Care plan customers get prioritized response times.
Can I host multiple WordPress sites on one plan?+
Yes — Managed WordPress Deluxe and Ultimate, and all cPanel Deluxe/Ultimate plans, include unlimited websites. If you're running multiple sites, Deluxe is the most common choice. Each site gets its own WordPress installation and SSL certificate.
WordPress
WordPress Questions
Do you build WordPress sites?+
Yes — WordPress site builds are one of our primary services. WP Starter starts at $899 for a professional site with theme setup, essential plugins, SEO foundation, and full hosting configuration. WP Business at $1,799 includes more pages and custom design direction. Custom builds at $2,999+ for complex requirements. See website design pricing.
Can you migrate my WordPress site from another host?+
Yes. Our WordPress Migration service ($199 one-time) covers files, database, DNS cutover, and post-migration testing. Most migrations complete in a few hours with no visible downtime to visitors. We coordinate the DNS cutover to minimize the transition window.
What are WordPress Care Plans?+
Monthly maintenance plans that keep your WordPress site updated, backed up, and monitored. Basic is $49/mo (core and plugin updates, monthly backups, uptime monitoring). Standard is $99/mo (weekly backups, security scanning, 1 hour support). Priority is $199/mo (daily backups, priority response, 2 hours support, direct access). See care plan details.
My WordPress site got hacked. What do I do?+
Contact us immediately. Our Emergency Malware Cleanup service ($349) handles removal, entry point identification, patching, and restoration. 24-hour turnaround on most cases. Don't try to clean it manually unless you know what you're doing — partial cleanup often leaves backdoors in place.
Email
Email Questions
Why is my business email going to spam?+
Almost always because SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records are missing or misconfigured. These DNS records tell receiving mail servers that your email is legitimate. Without them, even a properly configured email server will have deliverability problems. Our DNS Audit service ($79) reviews and corrects all of these. Our M365 Onboarding ($179) sets them correctly from scratch.
Do you offer Microsoft 365 setup?+
Yes — Microsoft 365 plans start at $7.99/user/mo. Our M365 Onboarding service ($179) covers domain verification, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, mailbox creation, and email migration from your previous provider. See email plans.
Can I use my own domain with Microsoft 365?+
Yes — Microsoft 365 business email requires a domain you own. You verify ownership by adding a DNS record, then configure MX and authentication records. We handle all of this as part of our M365 Onboarding service, or we can walk you through it if you prefer to do it yourself.
What's the difference between the M365 plans?+
Email Plus ($7.99/user/mo) is a pure email plan — Outlook, 50 GB mailbox, OneDrive, and shared calendars. Online Business Essentials ($10.99/user/mo) adds Teams, SharePoint, and web-based Office apps. Business Professional ($15.99/user/mo) adds fully installed desktop apps on up to 5 devices plus advanced security. See detailed plan comparison.
Domains
Domain Questions
What's the difference between a domain and hosting?+
A domain is your address (yourbusiness.com). Hosting is the server where your website files live. You need both — and they can be managed at different places, though keeping them together simplifies DNS. The domain is separate from the hosting account and billed separately.
Can I use a domain I registered elsewhere?+
Yes — you don't need to transfer the domain. You just update the nameservers or A record at your current registrar to point to your hosting account. We'll give you the correct values during setup. If you'd prefer to have everything in one place, we can transfer the domain for you.
What does a domain transfer involve?+
You unlock the domain at your current registrar, request an authorization (EPP) code, and initiate the transfer. The process typically takes 5–7 days. Your site stays live throughout — the transfer only moves the registration, not the DNS settings. See our domains page for step-by-step details.
Security
Security Questions
Do I need a security plan if I already have good hosting?+
Good hosting handles server-level security — the infrastructure, network, and hardware. It doesn't secure your WordPress installation, your plugins, your user accounts, or your application configuration. Those are your responsibility — and that's what security plans and services address.
What's the difference between a Website Security plan and a security service?+
Security plans (Essential, Advanced, Deluxe) are ongoing subscriptions — automated firewall, malware scanning, and monitoring running in the background. Security services (Audit, Hardening, Cleanup) are one-time engagements where we review, configure, or fix your specific setup. Most sites benefit from both.
Does my site need an SSL certificate?+
Yes — SSL encrypts all traffic between your site and visitors. Google treats HTTPS as a ranking signal, and modern browsers flag non-HTTPS sites as "Not Secure." A free SSL certificate is included with all our hosting plans. We configure it correctly, including enforcing HTTPS site-wide and resolving mixed content issues.
Services
Services Questions
What's included in the Full Stack Launch?+
The Full Stack Launch ($249 one-time) covers complete hosting account configuration — domain pointed to the correct server, SSL installed and enforcing HTTPS, WordPress hardened with a security baseline, email DNS records configured (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and everything tested before handoff. It's the setup that should come with every hosting account but usually doesn't.
How long does a website build take?+
WP Starter builds typically take 2–3 weeks from content delivery to launch. WP Business takes 3–5 weeks. Timeline depends heavily on how quickly content (text, images, and direction) is provided. Custom builds are scoped per project. We'll give you a specific timeline estimate after the initial consultation.
Do you offer ongoing support outside of care plans?+
Yes — ad hoc support and work is available. For ongoing needs, care plans are more cost-effective. For one-time work (adding a page, fixing a specific issue, reconfiguring something), we'll scope it and give you a quote. Reach out via the contact page.
Billing
Billing Questions
How does billing work for hosting plans?+
Hosting plans bill monthly or annually — you choose at checkout. Annual billing typically offers a discount. Renewals are automatic unless you cancel. You can manage billing, update payment methods, and view invoices from your account dashboard.
Is there a refund policy?+
Yes — most products include a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time purchases. See our refund policy for specific terms by product type. Microsoft 365 pricing is set by Microsoft's Price Catalog.
Who do I contact for billing questions?+
Email billing@hostmarauder.com for billing questions, invoice requests, plan changes, or account-level issues. For technical support, use support@hostmarauder.com.
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