I still must access my URL with the IP address. What do I need to do to make my actual URL name appear, and not have to type in an IP number?

thanks for any advice...i know it's a very basic question.

You need to update your domain and set your name servers to that of your hosting comany's. Then wait 24-48 hours for propogation.

Anacrusis is correct. It will depend on who your domain registrar (where you bought the domain) is on how this is actually done. You'll likely need nameserver settings from your webhost that look like:

ns1.servername.com
ns2.servername.com

These should have come with your welcome email - plus some hosts will have detailed instructions on how to change your nameservers with the more popular registrars.

Hope that helps!

if your domain is newly registered it must first propagate upto 72 hours. Maybe thats why you should still acces your page using IP address. But if you host your own site you need DNS server to this. You can try:

www.dnsmadeeasy.com

For .com and .net newly registered domains should take a lot less to propagate now that VeriSign implemented Rapid Updates to Domain Name System Files.