Free Web space that Virgin gave me and Dreamweaver.
Building web sites
I've used moonfruit. I've seen others recommend it too. I found it very easy to design pages, upload stuff, etc via its own web editor software - so it's good for the technically ignorant.
1and1
I use 1and1 too, they're cheap. You could install a CMS yourself, plenty of free ones on hotscripts.com.
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:57 PM GMTNil how much did that copy of Dreamweaver cost you then?
Quote: Nil Putters @ November 11 2008, 3:00 PM GMT
Dreamweaver for me too, though my site isn't online yet.
Oh, and also
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:48 PM GMTDoes anybody out there have their own personal website wot they have built themselves?
Yes.
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:48 PM GMTWhat hosting companies are good and cheap?
Me.
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:48 PM GMTAnd what tools do you use for updating your sites? Are you typing HTML into Notepad?
Yes.
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:48 PM GMTDo any hosting companies offer the equivalent of content management systems these days?
Yes.
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 2:48 PM GMTDoes anybody out there have their own personal website wot they have built themselves?
Hmmm...I kinda wanted to remain illusive and anonymous on this forum, but what the hell...
my personal website: www.keegam.co.uk
I use dreamweaver. I don't really pay much attention to hosting companies and their fancy gigabyte numbers. I've used a company called STRATO for a few sites I've built. Their customer service is really good and they always reply immediately, so that's all I care about to be honest... 
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 3:16 PM GMTYou forgot the helpful="false" tags.
I have numerous websites of my own. I have my own server and run my own hosting. I code in a variety of different editors, depending on the project - Notepad simplicity is a favourite. Many hosting companies have their own CMS's available to customers. Pretty much all will allow people to install common ones for themselves.
Quote: Eat My Shirts @ November 11 2008, 3:21 PM GMTmy personal website: www.keegam.co.uk
Approve.
(Well, visually. Which is obviously what you're going for.)
Quote: Griff @ November 11 2008, 3:35 PM GMTThanks Aaron.
I'm liking the sound of Moonfruit. That seems to have the level of techie-ness I want for this project, given I'm going to hand it over to someone.
Like I said, if I can use it...
I'm using Heart Internet but with a free storage account. But there's also a free online storage from them called Heart Drive, if you need the extra space.
I've used many website creators/editors in the past, but my favourite so far (because it's the most simple) is iWeb. Drag n drop like a bastard.
Mine was done using godaddy.com. An I T graduate did it for me as he was thinking of going into business building sites for others and used mine as a test.
I'm just checking out freewebs.com. It has a pretty good design to it, if you're a beginner.
Not sure about the premium side of things, but if you just want to have a practice, I'll suggest you give this a try.