my own dilema with making a website., i really need some guidance on this. Options

[creole]

Okay. I'm inspired from sites like 99mockingbirds, outspoken-kate, and swimchick. I like their designs, their website layout, their neatness, and most importantly their generous contribution to the world of graphic designing. They also have personal blogs which I love to read.

The thing is..what can a newbie like me start on a path like this? My intentions of my website would be blogging, frequent graphic designing related posts, and a personal portfolio for photography and digital art. Many of cB members that I know already have sites like the one I want, but it would be really helpful if someone gave me the ropes. Most of these questions can be searched, but I want the members of cB's personal first experience or advice with their website. What hosting is reliable and worth the bang for the buck. (I'd like to know you guys buying policies and how much memory you use or bandwidth, like say, should a beginner like me go all out and buy the highest value of hosting there is?) Does it matter what type of domain I purchase? Should I use .com or .net? What are some good leads to get into web design besides classes, because I have no intentions of wasting an elective in high school. (Trying not to sound ignorant, but my scholarship program wants me to take rigorous academic classes instead) What are the benefits of having a website? How would I get more hits? Please vent out all your info here.


Oh and money isn't an issue for me..but the pricing should be somewhat reasonable.

[ForgiveTheSinner]

^what Tuly said.

One thing that bothers me (and I was guilty for) is updating the site. Since I started over with a portfolio/blog it doesn't matter how long between posts since the site is mainly for myself to build up. If you want to open a graphic/resource kind of site with a blog and portfolio on the side, I suggest that you update regularly and not disappear. I know it's hard to keep up with school and all but if we open a site a neglect it then what is the point in the first place?

As for good leads into web design, the only thing I can think of are tutorials. I learned all I know now from google search :D

Good luck.