How does one choose a template? I have read enough to know they are different in design and free ones have no technical support. There are hundreds of options and many look just the same in format. I am the kind of person who will see by doing, and can't envision my new site too well without the visuals of an actual template to work on.

Should I just set up my website using the provided template? It doesn't have the tabs across the top, which I believe I would like.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Susan

Hi
Good question; how does one choose a wife or a husband?
The good news is that whatever template you decide upon you can change it as your site develops or tastes change (unlike the wife).
If you are just starting out and only need 1 template in the foreseeable future I would avoid the template clubs and pick one that was either free or a single payment.
www.joomspirit.com/Commercial-templates/Itemid-116.html
www.joomlaplates.com/
www.joomlashine.com/
and of course the templates from www.alledia.com/joomla-seo-templates/
I have also been impressed with the default templates as you suggest.
Pick one with enough module positions and roughly the right colour and you will soon learn to change font size etc.
Regards