To acquire a web site address, you must obtain an Internet Protocol (IP) number, otherwise known as a Web Space, and then you must register a name for that number, through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

 

You can obtain a web space from a web space provider (often internet access providers also serve as web space providers.)  Web space providers offer an allotted space for data storage on a server through which the public has continuous access to your web site. To place information on a web site, you will upload your web site to the web space provider, and then make any changes at your place of business or where your web site is designed for subsequent uploading.

 

Web space providers offer services such as firewall security, domain name registration, and the establishment of a small web shop.  In this respect, a web space may only allow static web pages.  Therefore, you need to decide whether you want to store your web site on the web space of a provider, or whether to purchase your own web server so that you may automatically updated the site by your system whenever changes are made to your database(s). If you decide to use a web space provider, you will have to regularly download purchase information entered by your web customers, since the web space does not automatically transfer this information to your system.

 

Once you have obtained a web space, you can directly register with ICANN's licensed registration and information service, called InterNIC (http://www.InterNIC.com ).  Registering will allow you to obtain a domain name license.  This license usually lasts for two years and costs approximately $70.  Registering will effectively connect your company domain name to your IP number.  Alternatively, you can register via your web space provider, who can serve as a broker between you as an end user and ICANN.

 

InterNIC's web site contains a list, indexed by country, of accredited web space providers.  In addition, if you have hired a programmer to build a web site for you, this person may have advice or a preference for a particular web space provider.

 

It is important to note that despite the convenience of obtaining web space from your Internet access provider, check the prices and services of other web space providers as well.  A web space provider does not have to be locally based.  If you are conduct business outside your country, it may be a strategic decision to consider using a web space provider in the region in which you conduct most business, thus helping to ensure fast download speeds for your customers because your company web servers will be located locally in your main customers' country.  However, if you are not familiar with web site ownership or if your primary customers are based locally, it is advisable to obtain the services from your local IP provider, or whomever you feel confident will provide you with good customer service and help desk assistance.