If you are on DSL, talk to your provider, but you might be able to host the sites on your connection (assuming you're ok with the drop in bandwidth for incoming traffic). Don't do this without their permission though. And be sure you have a static IP, or you'll bang your head against a wall for a long time.
At that point, it's a matter of getting the domain registered.
If you're going to get a host regardless, consider in advance:
1. Will these webpages need scripts or databases? Plan for that- find a provider who offers a SQL server and X tables or something. Check what scripting languages are available, if you can install things to accomodate that, or if they're forbidden. Also, look at IIs/Apache... do you want Perl, or ASP. Each has their use, and problems.
2. Do you want email with that? (God that sounds cheesy). See if the hoster has a mail service, forwards email to a different SMTP address, or doesn't let you.
3. Check your bandwidth agreements. Keep in mind that a 500k file downloaded once probably won't hurt you, but a good slashdotting or farking will take you offline in a hurry (if the server survives the load).
4. Contract rules. Can you break the contract without excessive penalty, can you modify/extend, etc. Don't get stiffed because you got your own server in 6 months..
Hope this helps
