I am a Newby too. A newbie for real. Like Greg stated above, "I wouldn't even know where to begin to build a web site."

I would like to become proficient in web design, SEO, and web maintenance for our businesses that we will be starting in the next few years. I have very little experience with HTML or CSS, but it seems to me that learning basic coding is where I should begin. The HTML Editor looks intriguing, and all the software on Coffee Cup looks handy ... for programmers, yet it looks too advanced for me if I know nothing about HTML?

Recommend a beginner book or website? Any advice on where to start?

Start with the FREE HTML Editor from CoffeeCup. http://www.coffeecup.com/free-editor/

There are many ebooks on html/css, some free, some for a small fee. You'll get back what you put into it though. Many here have suggested the missing manuals. Just Bing for 'html missing manual' and you'll probably get several hits. There are also many web sites devoted to html/css prgramming and most will have free lessons, tutorials and examples. Bing ( or whatever search engine you use ) will become your friend.

Once you purchase any CoffeeCup program you will have access to many more forums here and there are many good programmers ( not me ) that can help you out. I'm more of a WYSIWYG type person. CoffeeCup also has a lot of other FREE programs to get you started. http://www.coffeecup.com/freestuff/

As far as hosting, there are about as many companies as there are stars in the sky. Depends on your needs. I will say this. CoffeeCup has the S-Drive Hosting service. You can start free once you purchase a program, then move to a paid account as you need it. Using S-Drive ( about as affordable as many hosting companies ) has the advantage of having access to CoffeeCups outstanding support. You won't find better service anywhere!

Anyway, look things over, search Bing, get the HTML Editor and jump right in. Good luck.

I hope your new businesses allow you lots of free time!
Resources are endless. Books, online tutorials, online courses... whatever works best for you.
Here's a book I found quite useful: HTML Manual of Style by Larry Aronson
It provides a good website overview from the basic page structure and DOM to adding some JS and SEO stuff while incorporating good HTML/CSS techniques.

CC's HTML Editor is easy to use and comes with some basic templates you could experiment with to get up to speed with HTML/CSS.
These days, you'll want to pay attention to HTML5, CSS3, browser discrepensies, responsive design and adaptive design methods.
Some Javascript, JQuery and PHP know-how would be very good to have.
As you work on your technical skills, don't forget the design aspect... be aware of standards and trends in user-interface design, accessability issues, and just over-all good design principals.
Along with SEO, you should also do some research on copywriting and marketing for the web as well as social media. usage.
http://moz.com/learn/seo
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01 … eb-design/

Take advantage of CC's free trials and see what you think of the HTML Editor. You could also have a go with the Responsive Site Designer, it's a great way to get going if you've never dabbled in responsive design before.
Sometime in the near future, CC will be adding a Visual Responsive Design app to their line-up. But even with a drag 'n' drop program, it's good to have some general coding knowledge.