"...but needs to look very professional."
So maybe you need to hire a professional designer???
Just saying.

I made my own with Frontpage around 2004.
It looked like this: Performance Aeromotive, Inc - HOME

Last year I paid a professional.
Now it looks like this: Performance Aeromotive | Aviation Repair Station Service | Aviation Safety Auditing

Questions you need to consider are
What is your purpose for having a website?
What image do you want to convey?

I've been making simple websites since the mid-90's by hand-coding HTML. Today I use DreamWeaver to manage, create templates, etc. Templates are the key, whether Wordpress or any CMS. For example, on January 1, I update the copyright year on the template, it flows through to all pages created using the template.

The single biggest issue, as others have pointed out, is few people have a creative eye or ability to implement a design in their head. That's why canned templates or designers are important. For basic websites, consider a template library to give you the .css, structure, and layout then insert your own photos and code. Here's an example that's only $65:

http://images.template-help.com/scre...4-drupal-b.jpg

If you are not a copywriter, find one. Then use the spellchecker. BTW, Cash, your top line menu misspelled "Salvage" ;-D

Lots of great advice on here. I use godaddy for hosting my site. I find their webpage a burden to navigate, but their prices are alright and I've had success with the customer service (once you get over the constant attempts at upselling).

As others have suggested, find a designer to help you out...allowing you to do what you do; there are plenty of hungry creatives out their that could probably kick your site out quite quickly.

I have worked for years primarily by word of mouth (still do in fact), but when I was brought on as a consultant to an AE firm that was in the running for big project, I had to provide a website for their review. So a colleague of mine and myself created the site over a weekend.

Take it easy, not done by a professional

It did the trick but the way it was constructed makes it very cumbersome to update...which is why it hasn't changed in a year and half.

Like I said, do what you do and let a pro handle the site.

Lots of great advice, thanks guys!

cashflyer - your homemade one looked nice, but wow, the professional one is a big upgrade! For my business, I could not use one at the level of your homemade one, but could use the pro one.

Sarc - you did that in a weekend? Very nice. I could use that, I like its elegance and simplicity.

Don - that $65 template looks nice. Would work for me.

stomachmonkey (and others) - I fully agree, I have nowhere near the artistic ability to create an even halfway decent site, graphically. I'm not adverse to using a template, though.

Thanks. Yeah, I was pretty pleased myself for a first effort...I just wish we would have done it the right way. The friend that helped me has since become well rounded in the discipline, so I'm hoping for another go here soon.

I just ordered some stuff! My wife digs that kind of jewelery.

Dan,
You have made my wife very happy. That's not something I enjoy saying to strange men, but none the less, she thanks you very much.:D