domain name

[jaggynettle]

I want to buy a more relevant domain name for my existing website, which at present is like this:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/username/subject/
Most of these companies that sell domain names also give webspace as well, and I can't see any info on pointing it to an existing website.
When and if I buy it, how do I apply it to my website?

[webdude]

Try http://www.123-reg.co.uk - they supply domain names and web hosting at reasonable prices.

Search their site for a domain name which reflects the type of site you want to put up, then buy the name and the hosting space.

To upload your website you will need an ftp client, the html code for the site, plus the logon and user passowrds which 123-reg will send you be email when you pay.

[vehelpfulguy]

There are two distinct steps in this process

1) Buying the actual domain name

2) Getting someone to "host" your domain and web site.

You can do this with separate companies if you want, buy a domain off one company, ask another to host it for you.

But it is easier to buy the domain AND get it hosted by the same company.

I have done this a couple of times and it can all be done via the web, I have never yet had to speak to anyone at the web site company.

Go to the web site of the company you chose, use it to create a new domain name (if nobody has it already), then when they ask if you want them to host it as well say Yes.

They will then send you various e-mails saying how to log on to your new domain and how to upload the website from your computer to their website where it is hosted.

[vehelpfulguy]

After re-reading your question you also seem to be asking, how can you get your new domain name (if you buy it) to point to your existing ntlworld web site.

This can be done, as I have two domain names that are very similar (in case someone mistypes it) and one of the domain names merely points to the other doman name where the web site is hosted.

However, I am not sure if you can do this without actually getting a company to "host" your site.

Buying a domain name on its own (without hosting it somewhere) is a rather abstract thing as all you are doing is buying the name.

As a web site it does not exist anywhere until you get someone to host it (add it to their servers).

You MAY be able to get a company to offer some sort of re-direction service for the domain you buy without them actually hosting it (but there may be a charge).

I think you would need to ask them first.

[ACtheTROLL]

You can see if a name is in use here
http://www.demon.net/external/

note ... your quoted url isn't a domain ... it's just a hosted site within the NTL domain.

as such it's part of your account ... as long as you have service the site is yours

from the domain naming point - note names are leased ... not bought
if it's free ... you can have it - but make sure it's yours BEFORE to publicise or (worse) print letterheads.

and note down the renewal date .... it won't be the first time a sniper has bought a successful domain name from under the nose of a late payment.

[jaggynettle]

Thank you all for replying and for your good advice. I will look at the websites you all mentioned and think about this some more.
I likely will buy the domain name and try to point it to my existing webspace with NTL (VirginMedia), even if there is an extra charge. If it doesnt work, well no harm done,
I have 55 Mb free space with them and have already uploaded stuff before. My website has been hosted for 6 years by beeb.net which is now closing down.
Thanks again guys.

[fo3nix]

Usually you do this:

1) Buy domain.
2) Buy hosting.
3) Put your website on the host's servers.
4) Point the DNS records of your domain to your host's nameservers (and let the hosts know of the domain you're using).

I would doubt you can do the last thing on that list with NTL. It's not really meant for 'professional' hosting, more hobbyists or regular home users that just want some space to show the relatives their photos, but not a domain and everything else.

My suggestion would be to buy a domain at somewhere like 123-reg, then get hosting from somewhere like web-mania.com. (They're not bad, and pretty cheap.)

[jaggynettle]

Many thanks, I will give it a go, and it would be more convenient to have it all in the one place.