I will help you with the site, I have experience in being the webmaster for a couple different sites.
Name everything you can possibly think of that you view as an important aspect in a business website.
Important aspects in a business site would be, having a professional looking site that will appeal to many people. Also a site that is well advertised and easy to use.
Do you think dividing the products into the two main sections (polyethylene packaging and thermoformed plastic) is a good idea? If your answer is no, explain why.
I am not too knowledgeable in the plastics area, but I think that dividing the 2 into different sections while offering easy navigation to both would be the best decision.
Would a “Resume Page” that explains my fathers hard work and accomplishments over the past 13 years be a good idea for a webpage, and why?
A Resume page would be a good idea in my opinion, seeing as customers will want to know that their supplier is trustworthy and experienced.
How do you feel is the best way to organize the products; alphabetically, in order of popularity (most sold), in order of most money made from item or another method?
You should offer a shop page that allows the customer to view the products alphabettically and by popularity.
Should the “Home Page” be the “About us” page? If not did what should it be instead, a “Welcome” page?
The Home page should be kept simple, as a home page. And or an about us page depending on the size of your site. You could include an about us section on the Resume page as well.
Should there be a side bar or an overhead bar?
It could be anyway you want, I don't think that that will mater a lot to customers. But maybe a product bar on the side, and a Home Page, about us, site map, or other things similar on the top.
Should I have a page that links to relevant websites (to help with optimizing my relevance on Google
I am not too sure about this as I mainly deal with the content and design of websites.
Should I have a Website Map even if it's a small and easy to navigate website? Explain.
Well since you have to submit a site map to Google and various other search engines for better exposure to your site, you should include a site map since you will probably already have a site map code in your hands.
Could I PM you and would you be available if I have anymore questions along the way?
Yes you could, as I a not on Askmehelpdesk all the time, you can reach me mostly on AIM (aol instant messenger). Which you can reach by clicking the little icon below my name.
Do you know of any good websites that will give me creative ideas for designing this? If so provide a link.
I know this is good for free website templates, you can use them and edit them to your liking. You could also buy a proffesionaly done template elswhere on the web, but what else is better than free.