If you r looking for building a website with all features,u may call it portals..then best way is to use a CMS(content management system). Joomla is one of the best open source CMS available.So,u got a script free and its all features for free. It is one of the most widely used CMS,so support is quite good. If u do not know any programming language,then also u can make a great looking website using free themes available on net.I ve made a website using Joomla . http://www.nitkcampustalk.co.nr/
First do a google n wikipedia on Joomla.If you want to give a try .. go to http://freejoomlas.com/
Anyway you ll need Xisto,if you want a website without paying much.. So do not forget Xisto.comI am ready to share anything i know about building a site .So experts and beginners are invited to drop their experience and queries here.STOP WORRYING; START LIVING