Don't even know where to begin

General talk
1

I would like to create a custom map for my php/MySQL website and I am not sure where to begin. Please provide with assistance

2

Maybe you should learn the basics over here :
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OpenLayers_Simple_Example

for custom maps you have API examples :
http://openlayers.org/en/v3.2.1/examples/

you may need to use JavaScript in the client side

3

Maybe you should also have a look at http://leafletjs.com/