How can I make a website like a professional?

[DinoCrisisFan]

I know a lot about HTML, and one of my friends wants me to show her how to make a website. I have been designing websites and creating message boards for about 5 years now, but I've mostly worked with pre-determined templates. She's an artist and wants to make a website for her artwork. I can get her a domain and help her code it, but I don't know what the best way to do this would be. Does anyone have any recommendations on how I should go about doing this? I want to impress her, so what would be an awesome design idea(s) I could use? Thanks in advance.

Note: She wants to be able to sell her paintings on the website.

[PJay]

Why doesn't she just post on Deviant Art? You can sell stuff through there.

Otherwise you need to learn a lot of server side coding to make a shop, or you might be able to do something with a template based web creation tool, but you'll probably find you need to get into java / php / asp.net at some point to make it do exactly what you want it to do.

[darkwoon]

If you need maximum flexibility: learn a "web" programming language (PHP or Java, maybe Ruby); then, learn using a web framework like Zend (PHP), Spring/Tapestry (Java) or Ruby on Rails (Ruby). You'll also need a good knowledge of CSS and probably JavaScript.

If you are satisfied with the constraints of predefined templates, however, using a flexible content management system like Drupal or Joomla! is probably your best bet. Most of them offer a skinning system allowing huge customizations. Again, knowledge of CSS, JavaScript, or the server-side language used by the CMS is often a huge plus.

[TheMatrix]

Hmmmm....
Well, I also recommend learning a server-side language(try perl, c++, or php).
Or use flash, but some people(like me, for example) hate slow flash websites.
You'll find a way. Good luck! ;)

[Modus Operandi]

I'm not sure why I'm posting here, and am probably going to make myself like a total idiot, but here's something:

My school's Web Design class uses the Adobe software suite. Our teacher has us essentially create the layout we want with buttons and a banner/head in Photoshop, then export individual images to be put into Dreamweaver to make up our pages. Of course, it's pretty limited: no very pro-looking menubars, we're limited to a basic style with color changes. The Dreamweaver interface is clunky too.

Whatever. I know I sound like an absolute noob, but it's something.

[TheMatrix]

i have a friend who made this (http://bhteachers.tk/).
i still don't believe he did that by himself.