The GIF format is an excellent format for many types of graphics. Just remember not to overdo it. A good choice of fonts makes your web site look great, and a bad choice makes it unusable. My advice is to not use ActiveX at all on an internet site. It's fine to use it on an Intranet site as you control the environment.
Some people have trouble figuring out what to write about.
Here are a few suggestions for finding ideas. Here are some places you can check out. Perhaps one of the most important methods to promote your web site is including some advertising in each and every email you send and all newsgroup postings that you make. DO NOT spam the newsgroups by sending useless messages. Instead, make useful postings which include your signature.