Resources for Doing It Yourself

Check into downloadable “demo versions” of WYSIWYG HTML editors.
My personal favorite is Dreamweaver. There's a steep learning curve, but it's also incredibly powerful. Try "The Missing Manual" to get the most out of the software.

Basic HTML is essential, basic CSS is preferable. You can find lots of websites about their use, but there are also books. Basic HTML & CSS can help you even if you only use a blog—it will allow you design versatility.
- CSS Zen Garden
  CSS is the tool for accessible design. Everything that’s not strictly text on your site should be altered using CSS rather than HTML. This is a good question to ask a pro before you hire them. (ie: “Do you design using CSS? Do you design for accessibility?”)
- The CSS Zen Garden Book is a good resource, as is the ancient but still valid Visual Quickstart Guide to HTML
Getting Help
Regardless of who helps you, if you plan to maintain your site yourself once the designer is done putting it up, you need to keep all the access codes, passwords, tutorials, every scrap of information pertaining to your site in a notebook or something where you can get your hands on it. Web designers, even professionals, are known to disappear. You don't want to be left without the ability to access your site, get your email etc.
- College Kids - if you have a local college nearby, consider putting up a flyer. If the kid can design your site as part of a class project, you also have a built-in deadline s/he'll be sure to make.
- Craigslist

RESOURCES FOR BUILDING YOUR OWN SITE