Skippin the whole "who is my target audience" routine (which is about as useful as a flowchart to a programmer)...
First off... it's really, really, not that hard. HTML is an incredibly simple language and they don't get much harder from there. I'd suggest starting with simple HTML, perhaps even plain old notepad, just for a short time.
Skipping that though, as you'd probably want to, try downloading the demos of programs like Homesite and even better, Dreamweaver. Personally I know HTML, PHP, and various other forms of web coding inside and out, but Dreamweaver still makes the actual design process infinitely easier than hand coding. If you're going to use a WYSIWYG, just please at least pick up the basic coding of html.
As for graphics, preferably create them by hand in a program such a Gimp, Photoshop, or Paint Shop Pro. Just please make sure it actually looks nice and never, never steal them. Oh and never use MS Paint for web graphics. (...or anything else for that matter.)
Web hosts... careful with AOL, geocities, etc... face it, they really truly suck. There's just no getting around it. They're free, but no one would ever pay for them. You can't run PHP, ASP, CGI, or anything such as that from a free server 9 times of 10. If you're serious about this, find yourself a nice monthly or even yearly professional dedicated hosting service. Get a domain name for about $9 and you're looking all the more professional. If you don't want to fork over the monthly bill ($10 /mo will get you gigs of space and dozens of gigs of bandwidth if you look hard enough) then split the bill with a friend or join with someone who's looking to lease some space.
PHP is most certainly worth looking into when you get some more experience. Personally I recommend either programming or finding scripts that blend in seamlessly with your design rather than becoming your website itself. If you've got a programming background, you might try asp.net.
Finally... We all have to start somewhere. If you're just starting out in the web, don't over do it. You're first website will most likely be sorta dull. They all are, mine certainly was as well. Accept it, but don't use it as an excuse. Just because you're new is not an excuse to splatter lame animated gifs around and horribly large sized text.
Instead of trying to go overboard, try to stay simple working cautiously and carefully. Try to make the content really mater. No one cares about your vacation slides. However, show them enough of your prized professional photos for example, and people may be more interested in you, and your recent vacation slides. You have to give them a reason to care about your life.
Well, that's the basics. Short of that just search a bit, it's a real easy place to get started in quickly. Personally I've been making websites for 8 years now, and I'm studying web technology down at the local college. The web is a wonderful mix of not only design, but programming as well. I can't think of too many other IT fields where you can do graphics, writing, and program all at the same time.
Webmasters, what would you recommend?
ops: , can anyone recommend any good resources?
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