I studied web design and code while I was in school, but I still find it difficult to say I create websites. If it were not for my friend/web coder Shawn Lowe, I would be lost. Creating a website is complex and can sometimes require learning a new skill.
With so many free ways to create a website, I could not begin to tell you which one is right for you, but I can provide you some things to think about when creating your online portfolio. If you need some direction on a starting point, I found this great post by Beautifullife on website builders, 15 Best Free Website Builders. Since I use WordPress.com for my blog and AIGA, and recruited the help of Shawn to code my website, I have not personally used these webbuilders, so I cannot recommend one option over another, I can only provide information.
Ryan @ Web Eminence demonstrates the difference between a website builder and WordPress.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkCTgkvltn8]
Roberto Blake shares what to think about when creating your web portfolio.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_3SBFAbX_g]
Again Karen Kavett shares her thoughts on online portfolio
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUBkotE5BHQ]
If you want to use WordPress there are many tutorials you can employ, here some quick videos to help.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diRqV_hWy10]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBW97RTxChE]
Designing for the web is not the same as coding for the web, the difference between the two is similar to the difference between a cook and a baker. So even if you do not feel comfortable coding, you do not have to be afraid of the web. Here are some links I have used to help me with web design and coding:
W3school
W3Schools is a web developers site, with tutorials and references on web development languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and JQuery, covering most aspects of web programming.
A list Apart
For People Who Make Websites
A List Apart (ISSN: 1534-0295) explores the design, development, and meaning of web content, with a special focus on web standards and best practices.
WordPress Support/Help for WordPress.com
WordPress.org
A massive site full of articles and forums as well as extensive documentation of all WordPress features that is relatively easy to read and learn from.
Css-Tricks
CSS-Tricks launched July 4th, 2007. It used to be, believe it or not, primarily about CSS! Over the years, despite the hokey name, CSS-Tricks has come to become a site about all things web design and development.
Don’t Fear the Internet
A site created by Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer to teach basic HTML and CSS to Non-Web Designers.
Themeforest
A site I use to look for templates.