To have a web presence you need three things - a domain name, a website and webspace to host it.
A domain name
This is the address (URL) that is typed into the browser's address bar that takes people on the world wide web to your website. It can be registered by you before your site is designed (hold on to your username and password). It is usually registered to you for two years and some extensions, like .co.uk if you are living in the UK are cheaper than others, like .com. I would say that .com is for companies that want to appear international and that, if you don't mind people knowing that you operate from, say the UK, then go for .co.uk. I have recently found a website where you can register co.uk names for only £6 (plus 90p VAT) for two years (lcn.com). This is the cheapest I've come across so far and I've successfully registered a few names with them.
Website
This is your presence on the world wide web. It enables anyone in the world to see your site and what you have to offer. You can be contacted through it, information can be downloaded from it and, if you have goods to sell, you can also sell from it. If you would like a website designing please click here for more details.
Web hosting
Once your website has been completed it needs to be uploaded to a server. For this you need to hire some webspace - this is usually charged annually. This varies in price but is around £3 a month. Some companies providing web hosting also offer a free domain name when you register with them. It's worth looking around. The cheapest I've come across is lcn.com again, from £21 a year, although I haven't personally hired space from them.
Once you have your domain name and hosting space I can upload your finished website and you will be visible to the world!
