To establish a presence on the World Wide Web (WWW), you first need to design and build a website. Then this website needs to be hosted on the internet. Before this can happen, you need to register a domain name, which is your online address. Then, your website is uploaded to a server at a web hosting company where is can be accessed from computers all over the world. Now, you're online.
As you can see, a number of skills are required to get online. First, there are the artistic skills needed to create a website that's attractive. Then the technical skills to ensure this beautiful site is functional and to upload it to a server. And once it's up you need to maintain and update it.
If you lack these skills and want to have a website, you'll need to hire someone to do it for you. Or if it's just a simple site, you can probably learn how to do it yourself in a couple of days or weeks, if you have the time. Then again, many hosting companies offer online a WYSIWYG site builder as part of the package. For these, you just log into your hosting account, select the web builder, choose a template, and add text and graphics. You can have a simple site up in minutes in minutes.
However, if you need a more elaborate site, especially one for ecommerce, you'll need to call in the professionals. You can find web designers in the yellow pages, online, or through word of mouth. Or perhaps your web hosting company offers this service or can recommend someone.
A newish craze that has hit the internet in recent years is the ability to make phone calls over IP networks. This type of thing is generally called either VoIP (voice over internet protocol), IP telephony or VoBB (voice over broadband). VoIP is especially useful when it comes to calling abroad as call charges ar e significantly reduced, and are even sometimes free;
Web Design - Check out mediablocks.co.uk for loads of useful services and information realated to VoIp.
How Stuff Works - This site is almost like a VoIp for beginners site, helping you out with plenty of info and tips when it comkes to setting up a VoIP sevice.
about.com - About.com gives you information on hundreds of different things. They aloo have some helpful information on voice over internet services.