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.

[goneagain]

First: Don't believe in host's with 'unlimited bandwidth..etc"
It's not true. Usually in there terms it'll say otherwise.
Like Unlimited to a certain point.

If you really want to learn HTML and CSS. Classes can be good, you could say that on your portfolio if you try to find clients to do websites, like the kind of college you went to. I started out with a eBook a friend gave to me. If you're really dedicated on learning how to code, read W3Schools Then PM me ill be glad to give you the eBooks I used that taught me a lot.

Don't buy anything until you know how to create a website, on less it's a domain and you think someone might take it. and .com is the best, but .net is cool too :)

So do you want to be a Graphix artist? Or a Illustrator? Take lots and lots and lots on tutorials!