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Host a Website from Your Computer
More info here:
http://www.wikihow.com/Install-and-Configure-Apache-Webserver-to-Host-a-Website-from-Your-Computer

Apache Software:
http://www.apache.org/

How to Make Your Own Web Server:
http://www.liutilities.com/how-to/make-your-own-web-server/

Hope all goes well. :)

You want to spend the rest of your life delivering letters that you've sent to all the folk you're sending them to, then collecting all the letters addressed to you that other people want to send you. Of course you'd have to buy a fleet of Postage Vans, build a few sorting offices, pay staff wages, make deductions from your income to offset against depreciation, maintain and repair your own fleet of vans, and generally keep your head above the financial waves.

But HEY!! - think of how much you'd save on Postage Stamps!

[i]An email hosting system is kinda like that.[/i] ;)

you'll need a dedicated server (or a machine running server software such as MS Windows 2k server, 2k3 server etc. or Apache)...a machine that is on pretty much 24/7...my husband and I have self hosted our own websites plus our own email (you need something like Exchange for this). You'll also need to create a name, for example mywebsite@myhost.com; then you'll need to register with a domain registry (we use 123cheapdomains.com). These are some basic items to start researching; I am a lot like you, I have some basic knowledge in IT but am not as knowlegeable as most of the other members in TR. I'm sure others will have some other very useful advice for you. Good luck to you and your husband on your new business adverture :)

but if you don't know anything about it how are you going to get it all started and when it breaks, who's going to fix it?

Not saying it can't be done, but starting a business is hard work, why make it harder on yourself.. email/ web hosting is relativly cheap if you don't need anything really serious. The amount of time you'd save yourself would be well worth paying out a bit for it.

because you don't know how to.

To minimize the costs, many ISP's include emails and hosting for web servers. Call them. They often have a hosting package for small business, but it will cost you something.

Do you know how to program the web page?

You are paying people for the knowledge you don't have.

If you have the desire, ability, and time, you could get a book and learn this yourself, and then pay yourself for the labor.

Another option is to find a local consultant to get you started. I would start with the call to the ISP, so you won't have servers to buy and maintain.

JD has a good answer. Pay someone because you don't know how to do it.
I've been a computer hobbyist for years now. If I was starting a business one of the last things I'd consider doing for myself would be writing/creating my own website and hosting it. The time would be much well better spent someplace else. Get out the checkbook.

You answered your own question. The fact you need to ask the question underlines why you shouldn't be doing it yourself.

Same goes for changing your own oil, or servicing your own car. If you're like most of us, (and this isn't your startup business) you [i]could[/i] figure out how to do it. But would you really be saving that much money given the time and resources you'd need?

Most webhosts run less than $20 a month for a basic package.

So for comparison:
Things you need to have your own website:
[b]A Dedicated Computer[/b] - this machine will need to run 24/7 to ensure you website is accessible at all times.
[b]Electricity[/b] - The machine will need to be powered 24/7, most machines suck about as much power as a 100w light bulb, but there is a cost.
[b]Internet Connection[/b] - depending on how much traffic your website is getting (if its a portion of your business on-line) If you're using it at home or office, you will need to make sure there is sufficient bandwidth, causing you to buy a bigger connection at some point.
[b]Static IP[/b] (or dynamic service) - You will need DNS settings to route to the machine, so you'll have to pay your provider from a Static IP or sign up for a dynamic service such as no-ip.com
[b]Domain[/b] - You need to buy a domain for your website.

Things you probably wont get if you do it yourself
[b]Usage stats[/b] - The Hosting providers keep track of this, because if you go over you alloted amount, they kindly bill you for it, but it helps you track online views.
[b]Extra protection[/b] - Most Hosing providers have firewall and DOS protection beyond what you could reasonably setup in your own home.
[b]Tech Support[/b] - Got a problem or a question, most providers have someone you can call.

I'm sure theres more and other things I'm missing. But this is a basic general assessment. I'm pretty sure you wont be able to get that set up for less than $20 a month.