You have a provider profile here, which means you can send and receive PMs. Personally, I feel that VIP is worth it because you can read reviews on other providers and read reviews that potential clients have written.  

While I don't read client reviews all the time, it does give you a good idea of what it is they look for in a provider.  

 You gain clients here by being active on the boards and posting a weekly ad on your city's ad board.  Be engaging. Respond to ISOs when they're applicable! The original poster may not respond (and often they don't), but responding to those gets you out there; other potential clients read the boards a lot, but don't participate.  

Lots of places have free website services, but you're better off investing in one and paying; clients generally don't like websites that contain a bunch of pop-up ads, and most free sites do. I personally use wordpress, and i pay $100 a year for it and maintain it myself.  

I'd recommend doing a search of this forum for specific topics pertaining to websites and the like. it's worth the time!  

Good luck