[lillylou]

I have a geocities free website and want to buy a proper domain name, I'm utter hopeless at understanding computer stuff, but have been looking around at various offers.

I want to know how I access my site to change things after I have a new name.

[Dave Hybrid]

You need to buy the domain name of choice then you will need hosting.

Hosting is basically a term used to describe renting space on the web.

[lillylou]

Thanks but can't i still use the geocities hosting

[Dave Hybrid]

You could but you would have to re-direct your nice shiney new domian name to your geocities domain name, which kinda defeats buying the new domin in the first place.

[Wolfeymole]

Have a look at this from Freeservers.
This is just an example of a hosting site as there are many out there.
With the free package you can create a web address but with a caveat for example;
www.lilylou.8k.com or whichever you choose.

With a paid for package you will get a full on web address like;
www.lilylou.com and the extra benefits that come with it.

You only get what you pay for Lily at the end of the day.

Edit:
It looks like someone has already registered lilylou.com so see what you can do otherwise with the myriad of companys out there.

[aquariancore]

Free web space limits your abilities and the ads cheapen your brand. Splurge a little and buy space with your own domain name. You'll be glad you did.

[lillylou]

Thanks again, I really want to get rid of the free ads.

[Wolfeymole]

Like I say Lily check out Freeservers just to get an idea of how it all works.

[Rohitpatel]

Well free hosting site does not give better features than paid ones. Godaddy and some bigger hosting site give you cheap hosting service. You can easily spend $5 to $10 per month. Some site offer very low price hosting package.