Another idea I was just researching...
DON'T KNOW FOR SURE if it's a good way to start but looks cheap and easy.
Yahoo site builder. You need to use their hosting which is reasonable.
11.95 a month. The site builder has over 300 free templates and free graphics and lots of other stuff.
In fact I just found a deal where you get the Domain for FREE if you sign up for hosting.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting/
Here's all the Yahoo templates
http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/template.php
IMPORTANT NOTE: With any template - be sure the content is spiderable (no java or flash). Show us the template and ask us if unsure.
Also be sure with templates that probably LOTS of people may be using - to change them up quite a bit so they aren't just like everyone elses. Not so much an issue with the CSS templates I mentioned because they are more like just the framework of a house - everything you add will be unique. However if you pick a Yahoo or other free template that includes all the graphics and everything the image names and layout could be too much like hundreds of other sites and the search engines may be able to see a common "footprint" and not like it. (Most important in industries prone to lots of SE spam).
ONE MORE POINT with regard to some suggestions Teli made about using "hosted" solutions. Some prohibit affiliate links so always read the TOS.
The other main issue which hosted solutions is that you don't own these sites you are just renting, so the landlord controls everything and you aren't building up equity. The marketing you do and traffic you send will be building up someone elses property value, not your own!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++
This is turning into a really good newbie resource so making it a sticky!