i think it helps a lot if you begin with fish that suit your local water, ie if the water is hard and alkaline then choose maybe malawi cichlids, if its soft and acidic then south american cichlids eg angelfish.
find out what your local water parameters are and decide from there what fish you want to have. ask your lfs to help if you haven't got your own test kit.
on a personal note, i have had malawi cichlids for about 6 months and find them the easiest fish to kepp that i have ever owned, it's a big bonus that they are colourful and full of character too!!!!!!!!!!!