Best way to create a website?

[E-Z-B]

Any advice on the best software tool to use in creating a website?

What is the best way to get a domain name & get it hosted somewhere where someone could Google & find it?

There are tons of links out there, just not sure where to even start.

(Not that I'm creating a website to compete with Cheapy).

EDIT:
By the way, I'm willing to pay for a domain name - I want something like www.myname.com so that it's not cluttered with the host's ads.

 

[mkelehan]

Maybe Squarespace? I haven't used them, but they advertise on a podcast I listen to, so just throwing that out there.