I'm a computer newbie and I need help. I purchased a domain name and I'm not sure how to connect it to my website.
I don't know what any of the computer/tech lingo means and it gets pretty confusing when they throw letters at you. (DNS, IP, HTML, DDS etc.. )
Is there a simple explanation? Do I need to hire a tech geek?

I will appreciate any help and thank you for your time.

Hi,
Since you have a domain, you need a place to put it. For that you now need an ISP (Internet Service Provider) unless you bought the domain through one. It is their responsibility to identify your domain to the proper people by giving them the correct IP (Internet Protocol) address so the DNS (Domain Name Server) can resolve the name into a matching address.
The content (HTML) is up to you or whoever you have doing it, and the ISP will have a helpdesk to tell you how to logon to your server and upload your content so that it can be viewed publicly via an Internet browser/connection.
Peace,
Clarke

You will need to find a host for you domain several are available and cover a wide range in cost, service and features. Once you have a hosting plan in place your domain is entered into a DNS (Domain Name Server) and then populated o other DNS servers where your domain is translated to an IP address the routed to the server holding your sight

Thanks guys.
So I need to be able to host? Where do I find that address that's a number for my existing web page? That's what I need to link them, correct?

First, I DO NOT recommend that you host your site yourself. A hosted site gives you 24/7 monitoring to keep the site up, more security and more features. Hosting fees start at about $5/month and are well worth it.

When you contract with a host, they will assign you and IP and THEY will register it with the DNS so people can find your site.

Comments on this post crigby (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/crigby.html) agrees: What I tried to say; get an ISP to host


Actually, most ISPs do not do WEB hosting. And I would not recommend using an ISP to do so. A WEB host is more focused on the needs of a WEB server.

Web Hosting & Domain Name by Netfirms | free hosting | Register Affordable Cheap Business Domains (http://www.netfirms.com/)

This is the site where I registered my domain name. I chose the cheapest no extras package (but can upgrade).

If I understand ScottGem correctly, if I upgrade my package to (?), they will "hook me up"?

Thank you so much for your time. I'm getting closer to understanding what I need to do. I'm sure it's a 3 minute operation that's taken me days! Lol. Learning is learning!

Registering a domain doesn't get it on the WEB, the link says free hosting, but generally that means using their template which includes their ads. If you want more control over your site, you will probably need to upgrade.

Thanks Scott. I hope this isn't too much trouble for you.

The deal with my website is that I recently joined a home based business and we get a website as part of the deal. I have certain options as to appearance, some of the text and some design options but otherwise they maintain it. I would like to set it up so when you type in my domain name it takes you to that (business) website.

I don't really understand what a web server or web hosting means or how they are different. If I can upgrade and not need to worry about it, I'm sold. Tell me where to click!

Ahhh, you should have explained that up front. How much did you pay to join this business?

But I doubt if it works that way. You need to talk to them. If they are providing you a website, then THEY are your host. And they may not allow you to use a domain. You may have to use a URL (web address) like:

"www.ahomebiz.com/animals123"

If you want to use your own domain, then you need to contract with a WEB host.

To help you understand this. When you type an address into a WEB browser, the browser sends the URL to your local ISP's DNS (Domain Name Server). This DNS is constantly refreshed from the dozen or so main DNS boxes around the world. The DNS takes the URL and translates it into an IP address. That IP represents the Computer that has the WEB Server that your pages are on. A Web server is software that stores WEB pages to send to your local browser on request. When your request to view a page is sent from your browser, it goes to the DNS, which forwards it to routers on the Net until it finds the IP of the WEB server hosting the page you requested and then sends that page back to your browser which renders it for display on your PC.

A WEB host service is one that rents space on their servers for you to store your pages to serve them up to other browsers.

OK. I think we're getting closer! I know that other girls who have joined this business (don't worry, I didn't get taken. It's not a web business per se.), and they have their domain names hooked up. So I know I CAN do it. The original address they give me is [email protected]. They have hundreds of these pages. Right now all it is is an on-line business card but I can upgrade to a shopping cart site.
I guess I'll ask tech support on their end. I thought I could do it on my own.
Thank you for all your time and energy Scott. I'll check back in to let you know how it's going.

I got it! It was easy. Click forward... enter web address... done.

Thanks everyone for your help. Computers are quite new to me and I appreciate everyone's patience.

Andrea

So what happens is someone goes to the main page clicks on your business and its forwarded to your domain. Still need a WEB host to forward to.

I guess I'm not explaining myself very well. I apologize. I don't know any web or computer lingo and I think that led to confusion.

Now, when someone types in my domain name (is that right? It's a
12345.ca(not actual address)), they get my company-sponsored/run website. At the Netfirm site I just opted to forward my web traffic to the company run (but my personal) site.

Does that make any sense?

I didn't mean to post that link. My oops.

{Fixed-<>}

At the Netfirm site I just opted to forward my web traffic to the company run (but my personal) site.

Does that make any sense??

Yes, that makes even more sense. So when someone types in your URL (Uniform Resource Locater -- also called a WEB address) into the browser it will be forwarded to the URL provided by the company.

Yes that's it exactly! I'm sorry if my language was confusing. When you don't know the proper terms, it's hard to explain the problem.

Thank you for your help and support.