Problem with Registration form bindings.

I've created a registration form and everything works fine, except... The input for Website. If the website and copied from an address bar and pasted into the form all is fine, if it is typed in including the http:// it works but if it is typed in with just www.etc then I get a 404 error and the address bar shows:
my_website/target_website.

For example when I create a new listing and type in a well know web address then check the database it shows up as typed in. www.webassist.com

Now when I go to the Profile it shows the link www.webassist.com but clicking on it produces the address:

http://www.songwritersinconcert.com/www.webassist.com

Here is the coding creating the link.

<a href="<?php echo($profileVs->getColumnVal("Website")); ?>" target="_blank"><?php echo($profileVs->getColumnVal("Website")); ?> </a>

Somehow it is adding the base website if http:// is not added.

If I had originally typed in http:// it would have worked and connected to your site.

Most people don't type in the http:// when entering their website. Any idea of what needs to be changed to allow a simple www to work?

Thanks