questions about making a website? ive already failed once! help?

[FarmQueensss]

like two years ago i was so syched about starting an online boutique. so i bought a domain..etc etc. but i never had anyone visit my site, much less buy anything! i lost tons of money with the stuff i had bought for my store. i had seen several sites that had the same inventory as me and sold out new items each day. and they were on the first page of google search results always!
how did they do that?!
im wanting to make a new website but this time im only wanting to put info on a diesease my dad who is a dr. is researching
what steps do i have to take to make it a high traffic site. ? all info will help. im not too smart when it comes to any of this stuff.

if you can provide info from the very first thing i have to do, to the last ill be so grateful. thanks