The Choices for Getting a Web Presence:
Buying an existing web site:
This could be a good deal or a bad deal. Be aware that there is a thriving business in selling web sites that are not really of much value. There is software available that will build a web site based on the key words that are input and populate it with affiliate links. The advertising line for this software is 'Why Park a Domain'. Somebody may happen upon it and buy something. I did not look at the sales letter mini-site, but I suspect that implied is that you can then sell the site as a going concern. Remember what P.T. Barnum is credited with saying, "There is a sucker born every minute."
Buy into a Program:
There are many offers to 'sell' you a program that will get you on the web with the hope of making your fortune. There are a few good programs that are a 'good' deal. Those programs offer many services to their customers. When evaluating a program of this type the decision should be based on your perception of the value of the whole bundle. Do not look only at the initial price, but what the support options are down the road and what is included in the package.
Building a web site:
Building your own web site is a viable alternative. If you chose to build your own site you will know what you have. You will have to do some research and work a bit harder, and you may make some mistakes along the way, but probably not as big a mistake as paying somebody significant money for a cookie cutter site and still have to do the research to make it work for you. Speaking of research, I am off to do some further research for some articles that I have in mind for this site and for some of my other sites.