Topic: Completely lost.

[venom]

I am very new to websites in general. I have no history making any or doing anything involving them. I am starting up a gaming clan and don't want to use one of those cheap webs, enjin, godaddy, hosted websites because everyone has one and I want a custom one. I have no idea where to start, and no clue how to "code". I just want a forum with a home page for for my members to talk in. I know very little. I also heard this doesn't come with a free domain? Where can I get a really good free domain so I don't have to use something like gamingclan.enjin.com or gamingclan.webs.com. Where do I start and how do I setup my own website? Is it really complicated and if so, should I just back off?
I would greatly appreciate some help, and if anyone could help me maybe you could add me on skype? If so, say so and I will pm/inbox you my user id..
Please give me step by step instructions on where I should start..

[Old Fossil]

The best place to start is http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php

[Aimee]

Maybe try http://www.smfforfree.com/

(i'm not associated with the site)

[AngelinaBelle]

Welcome!  There are some free sites that allow you to set up and customize a forum. As Aimee said, smfforfree is one of them.

You should not need to start coding right away to get started.  To learn more about hosts, you might start at http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=4.0 for some information about some of the free and paid hosts which support SMF.

The folks at simplemachines.org are really helpful when it comes to getting you started with SMF. You'll find that many of the folks here are also active over there.

If you get SMF set up and are interested in Simple Portal, we wil be happy to help you out right here.