Hi,
I am also a beginner and can offer my advice. I joined this site in late November, never having picked up a guitar in my life. I have followed the recomendations and went through the fundementals lessons first. I learned a great deal from those lessons. The teachers are great, especially the beginner's instructor Chris. And you can ask any instructor any type of questions in the forum and they get right back to you and don't act like you are an idiot for asking questions. I just started with a private teacher and that is working well since it is good to have someone who can see your handling of the guitar and your body movements and can correct bad habits. My suggestion would be to find a GOOD instructor but for the minimal price of this site I would also join Guitar Tricks. You can always stop your private instructions when you are ready but Guitar Tricks will be helpful to you from beginner to proficient stages. You get so much info and feedback for such a low cost.