To start web development you should know some basics.
For beginner I prefer to learn HTML/CSS and most important is JavaScript from W3SCHOOL that have plenty of good stuff, once you have done that courses congratulation you are one step closer to develop a static web site using that.
If you just want to `design a simple website for your small level business that it, now you can develop a website but now-a-days as technologies enhances you should learn a scripting language (php, python , ruby on rails, etc.). For basic I would again prefer you to learn from the W3SCHOOL as the resources on that is pretty much easy to understand and it also have an on-line editor that is a huge advantage for the beginners.
If I get more upvotes then I would start writing articles more often in this very field