How much does it cost?
How does it work from a technical perspective?
Do I need to tell my host about this partnership and the DNS changes?
Does CommunityArchitect need to host my site?
Can I offer domains such as http://username.members.mydomain.com?
Where are the end-user sites hosted?
How long does it take to set up?
Do you offer a free service?
What is an IP address?
What is an MX record?
What is are CNAME and A records?
Can I make money?
Can I keep the email service that I already have?
Can I transfer current email and/or Web site members to the Community Architect system?
Can I change my DNS records after I set up my domain?
How can I make money through this partnership?
What level of support will I recieve as partner?
What level of support is available to my end-users?

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our Premier partnerships start at $49.95 per month. Our Co-Branded Partnerships are free.

Q: How does it work from a technological perspective?
A: We handle Domain Name Services (DNS) rather uniquely. (DNS is the technical means by which the simple web addresses you type to get places are matched to the proper web site hosting location.) Your site remains hosted where it currently is but Community Architect becomes your primary and secondary domain name servers. Our name servers will mimic your current name servers, so that requests for your site will continue to be routed to where it is hosted. Our name servers will also route your email and other subdomains (if applicable) to where they need to go. Your end-user pages (ie: name.domain.com) will be routed by the Community Architect name servers to Community Architect web servers where the pages would be hosted. Click here to see a graphical representation.

Q: Do I need to tell my host about this partnership and the DNS changes?
A: It is not necessary to inform your host. The DNS changes are typically handled by you submitting an online request to the InterNIC to make Community Architect the name servers for your domain name.

Q: Does CommunityArchitect need to host my site?
A: No. Your site will remain hosted where it currently is. The end user pages/sites will be hosted on Community Architect web servers.

Q: Can I offer domains such as http://username.members.mydomain.com?
A: No. You must offer the end-user sites as a sub-domain of your domain. (i.e. http://username.mydomain.com)

Q: Where are the end-user sites hosted?
A: On Community Architect's web servers.

Q: How long does it take to set up?
A: On average, it takes about five days from the time we receive the signed contract to when we deliver the community tools. The piece that takes the longest is submitting the DNS changes to InterNIC, them making the changes, and the changes propagating over the Internet.

Q: Do you offer a free service?
A: Yes. We offer our Co-branded Partnership for free. Click here to learn more about our co-branded solution.

Q: What is an IP address?
A: IP stands for Internet Protocol. Each domain name can be considered an alias for a number which is thier IP address. By looking at your IP address, a computer is able to decifer where your site is hosted so it can then retrieve the requested information. When you become a partner we require that you send us your IP address so that we can redirect users back to your site. See a diagram.

Q: What is an MX record?
A: An MX record is an entry in your DNS table that controls where email is sent.

Q: What are CNAME and A records?
A: CNAME and A records are entries that control where a user is sent when they type a domain name into their browser. For example, you may offer your email at http://mail.domain.com. An A record would specify the IP address to which the user would be sent. A CNAME record would specify another domain to which the user would be redirected.

Q: Can I make money?
A: Of course! There are various ways in which you can make money with the Community Architect solution. The first and easiest is through member upgrades. Each time one of your members chooses to upgrade their site, you get a share of the revenue. You also have the opportunity to sell the banner space on the end-user sites to third party advertisers. The newsletter utility also gives you an opportunity to obtain a paying sponsor for newsletters you send out to your members. If you choose the bannerless option, you charge a monthly fee to your users just for having a site in your community.

Q: Can I keep the email service that I already have?
A: Yes, our platform will not interfere with your current email service. However, it is imperitive that you inform us of the MX record(s) of your current email service.

Q: Can I transfer current email and/or Web site members to the Community Architect system?
A: No. If you have a previously existing email and/or Web site service, the accounts cannot be transfered to the Community Architect system. Web site users can use our site copier utility to copy their site on to the new system from an existing site if they choose to do so.

Q: Can I change my DNS records (i.e. MX, A, CNAME records) after my domain has been set up as a partner?
A: Yes. The records may be changed but we currently do not have an online system that allows partner to edit their DNS. If you need to make DNS changes please notify us of the changes and they will be made promptly.

Q: How can I make money through this partnership?
A: There are various ways in which our community tools will help you increase revenue. First of all, when your users upgrade to have a bannerless site you will receive a portion of the revenue. You will also be able to control some or all of the banner advertising space on your end-user sites. You will be able to upload a banner image or banner code. The community tools will increase the traffic to your site and the time spent on your site. This gives you a greater opportunity to sell products and/or services to your users. Finally, you can have a third party sponsor your community newsletter.

Q: What level of support will I receive as a partner?
A: Support is available to all partners from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm MST Monday through Friday. Our trained support staff will answer your questions promptly. Send all questions to affiliate@communityarchitect.com.

Q: What level of support is available to my end-users?
A: Support is available to all end-users from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm MST Monday through Friday. Our trained support staff will answer all questions promptly. As the community administrator you do not have to provide the support to your members. Just send them to membersupport@communityarchitect.com.