You don't want to worry about making a browser that renders on ALL browsers and PC's, nor do you only want to make a site that renders on only the most popular. You want to make a site that will render on as many different setups as possible.
I suggest you look for books on web usability and SEO (search engine optimization) at the library. I currently have several, and all are excellent sources of information.
Another good point. I came across some site posted on the emulator forum that required (not recommended, but required) you to have IE7 to view the site (not just one page, but the ENTIRE site). Needless to say, I lost interest in what the site had to offer pretty quickly. BTW (and completely unrelated), I also know Coldfusion. 
Ahh, a very good point you make. Too restrictive is no good at all, as evidenced by your reaction to the site (which consequently, is probably most people's reaction).
No Krishnan, programming knowledge is not necessary. The main web design languages (PHP, HTML, XML, Javascript) are not programming languages, but rather scripting or markup languages, which are much simpler.