Here's two things to keep in mind:
a) If you use these free places, you usually will get stuck with a crappy web address (URL). Can you imagine going to a gig and announcing "come visit our bands website at:"
ww.freewebsites.com/Customers/CheapPennyPinchers/YourBandNameHere
You really need to make it easy on people to remember. Thus, you need to buy your own URL. If your band name is already taken as a web address, then just add "music" or "band" to the end of your band name. For example, if you band was named The Beatles

D), you might want to get a URL like: TheBeatlesBand.com or TheBeatlesMusic.com (since TheBeatles.com is probably already taken). It's pretty cheap too, something like $35 a year. Many web hosting companies will offer package deals to host your site and purchase/renew your URL.
b) Content. People might visit your site once or twice. But if it's always the same old content, they won't return. You have to find creative ways of updating your website on a regular basis. Add new pictures from each gig. Maybe setup a "Friends of the Band" picture page. This will encourage people to tell others about your band's website. "Hey we partied hard last Friday night. Go to Band X's website and check out the pictures!"
In my old band, the drummer and I used to write weekly or bi-weekly beer reviews. Nothing major, just some humerous commentary on different beers we drank over the weekend. I had several people tell me the beer reviews were the only reason they frequented our site.
Blogs are another easy way to add fresh content. Give each band member their own blog on the website.
Just some stuff to ponder!