1)
insert some css - it will make your life much easier when you try to change color schemes and what have you...
you can learn all about that + HTML at
www.w3schools.org
2) don't worry if your site isn't super awesome your rookie year...you've got many years ahead to worry about your site
3) if all else fails, you're more than welcome to go to my team's site (
www.firstubergeeks.com) and rip off whatever you like...we offer the entire site up for download (php scripts and all if you're into that...but i think you need to get firm design concepts down first...and YES i know php != design...).
if you have any more questions or what ever, feel free to pm me or im me or e-mail me...