Snake ranch is g8! I got my 1st snake from them, a stimmi, and I love her!! Read as much as you can and join a reptile club in your area. That way you can talk to ppl and get i deas and ask q's! How big do you want your snake to get is a good place to start as some get very big! Read up on what you like and see if you can hold/see first hand what they are like etc.
The most important thing I can stress to you is get something you like, read up as much as you can and then read some more and talk to ppl on here etc!!! look into enclosures (size, do you need it taller rather than longer, hides, substrates, lighting and so on) heating (read up about heat cords etc heating from below as well as above, you need a good probe to check hot end temps and cold and a thermostat (some ppl dont use one others do depending but id read up on it and make your mind up) feeding (size of snake = size of food, types of food, how long can a snake go with out feeding: why is my snake not eating is a very common q's asked from newbies so Id read up on that just in case! helped me out!) find a vet in your area who deals with reptiles as some do not! look at shedding and what you may need to do to help, all so look in to quarantine just in case you need to and cleaning products. Id all so go as far as to say ask on here before you get an enclosure to make sure its ok as I got mine through a pet store and was told it would be fine....... ive had to do some mods to it so its cost me more $$ than Id wanted!!!!! And Id look into making a click clack (check out the DIY section on here for more info) you may need it if you get a young snake or even a place to put your snake when your cleaning your enclosure! Wished Id been told this right from the start :?
For me I wanted something that didnt get to big and was a bit older as I could see she had been feeding well, had been through sheds and her 1st winter with no problems.
Get more than 1 persons advice so you can make the informed selection on what is best for you. Trust your gut and go with what you know you can deal with. Dont rush it! And most of all enjoy!!!!!!
Hope this helps!!!!