but finding a good one isn't so easy.

click here to find a list of members of the UK Web Design Association. Bear in mind that although members of this association must submit samples of their work before they are accepted it's not a foolproof system - proceed with caution, and ask for details of satisfied clients before proceeding. Email the clients concerned, and ask them if they were happy with their site; you may not get a response - people may delete your message as spam - but at least you will have signalled to the web designer that you're not going into this without running some checks.

or design because I have no knowledge of the company concerned - you'll have to make your own judgement as far as those things are concerned.

Offers like 'free hosting' can seem attractive, but make sure you find out exactly what's involved - how long does the free hosting last, is it a year, two years, or forever?
What about bandwidth, are you restricted to a certain amount each month, and if so, what are the charges for additional bandwidth?

The old saying that you get nothing for nothing is as true today as it ever was, and although there are some excellent design and hosting packages to be had, please make sure you are fully aware of what you're getting, and what you're not getting before you commit.