Hi Jo,
I'm fairly new to this as well and I have had trouble in the past growing herbs but succeeded this year. I disregarded what the packets said about the quantity to sow. I've started sowing half the packet per pot (just use a mid price compost), then your supposed to use a propagator I think but I just put a freezer bag over the pot until they germinate, watering when required. Condensation builds up in the bag so you may find you might not need to water them every day.
I've grown loads of basil from seed this year and made pesto. I buy other herbs in pots and plant out. Sage grows very well. Parsley only lasts a couple of years (discovered this this year), I'm no good with coriander, chives thrives
as well as thyme, oregano and mint. That's all I have tried so far. Going to try tarragon and sorrel next.
Just make sure you put them in a nice sunny spot. Another thing I don't do what the packet says as I find it unnecessary is repotting the seedlings. Just make sure you use a pot large enough to keep them full term and it isn't required to repot the seedlings.
Hope this helps and good luck!