I'm looking for a list of web sites that offer online tools for
creating your own web site and any useful reviews of those tools that
will help in determining what the best ones are. I've done a little
research and found that there are 3 categories of sites that claim to
offer this kind of service:
1. online web site building tools
2. sites that offer free desktop applications, or applications that
run in a browser.
3. sites that offer web site templates

I'm only interested in the first category. I'm looking for tools that
are targeted at non-experts.

What I don't want:
- desktop applications, 
- tools that are not cross platform (i.e. ones that only work on windows)
- complex content management systems (CMS)
- tools for constructing html one piece at a time, like wysiwyg web
page builders (dreamweaver, frontpage, etc). (However, I would like to
be able toedit the html after the site has been built)

What I do want:
- The best answer will contain reviews of existing products from a
credible source, if possible
- I am interested in tools that give you flexibility in arranging the
content of the web pages. as opposed to fixed templates where the only
thing I can change is the text
- open source products are ok
- after reading your answer I'd like to be able to sit down with 3-4
possibilities to figure out which is right for me

I've already found the following site, but I still don't have any
reviews of these products:
http://geocities.yahoo.com/v/w/
http://www.ebizwebpages.com/main/tour
http://www.homestead.com/~site/qslo/features.html  - quick site designs
http://www.zyweb.com/

try this one http://www.balthaser.com
or www.freecoolsite.com
or http://www.doteasy.com

Gagito-ga :

You can easily find hundreds of free websites to host your webpage, as
you've found out - by doing a google search (such as "free website
hosting").

I know that PC World has rated free web sites before, but I was unable
to find the exact article.

Your best bet may be to ask around, check with friends, and check
bulletin boards to find out what people like, and what they don't like
about certain web hosting sites.

That being said, I've had a GeoCities account since 1998, and have
been very pleased with it.  It has many of the qualities you're
looking for :

- online website tools independant of your OS (Mac or PC)
- no desktop application required (all web based through your browser)
- ability to use their online editing tool OR upload your own HTML
files directly to their site.
- ability to totally do what you want inside the HTML file - not
limited to just templates
- but they do have some tempaltes and "add-ons" like bulletin boards
and counters that are available for the website neophyte.

There is no harm in trying to build a site, and seeing what you like,
and then looking for another host.  I've built about 10 free sites,
but found that GeoCities is the best of them.

I do know some flaws / issues with GeoCities that I found : 
1) No remote linking.  It is stated in their policy.  Meaning you
can't load up pictures to GeoCities, and then show those pictures on
your eBay auction, or elsewhere.
2) Small size : you only get 15MB of free space.
3) Some things you just can't do, like SSI (server side includes) -
some more advanced techniques, including FTP-ing your files to their
server - they are reserved for paying customers only.

That being said, I am pretty happy with my GeoCities account.  I've
tried Tripod, AngelFire, HostUnlim.com - but GeoCities is still top in
my book.

Hope that helps,
Brady