First-time website owners are often confused by domains, servers and ICP filing. They actually answer three questions: what the site is called, where its files live, and whether it can legally be accessed from mainland China.
Domain
A domain is the address users type into the browser, such as v369.cn. Domains are registered yearly. We recommend common suffixes like .com or .cn, registered under the company’s business license rather than an individual or agent, to avoid ownership disputes. A good domain is short, brand-related, easy to remember and easy to spell.
Server / hosting
The server stores the website’s code, images and database. A cloud host from providers such as Alibaba Cloud or Tencent Cloud is usually sufficient for a showcase corporate site; large or high-traffic sites need higher specs, load balancing or dedicated servers. Server location (mainland China, Hong Kong, overseas) directly determines whether filing is required and how fast access is.
What is ICP filing
ICP filing is mainland China’s real-name registration system for websites. Sites hosted on mainland servers must complete filing before they can be accessed via domain. The filing is submitted through the hosting provider using the business license, legal representative ID and domain certificate, and typically takes 7–20 working days. Filing is free, but the filing number must be displayed in the site footer.
Filing-free options
If a client wants to launch quickly or cannot file conveniently, servers in Hong Kong, Singapore or the United States allow domains to be bound without filing. The trade-off is slightly slower mainland access and possible impact on Baidu SEO. For export-oriented sites whose audience is overseas, overseas hosting is in fact the better choice.
Security and HTTPS
Browsers now mark sites without an SSL certificate as “not secure.” We recommend configuring HTTPS at launch; many cloud providers offer free certificates. Corporate sites should also back up regularly and update software promptly to reduce compromise risk.
How to avoid pitfalls
First, keep domain and server accounts under the company’s own control. Second, if your main audience is in mainland China, plan filing time into the schedule. Third, export sites or urgent launches can use filing-free hosting initially. Fourth, let the developer assist with configuration but retain ownership. Xi'an Zunyun Technology can help with domain selection, server configuration, filing guidance and HTTPS deployment as part of website projects — consult us for details.