Welcome! The most important thing to do is find a bike that fits you well. Only you will be able to determine that. After you find the right frame for you, most mass produced companies have several levels with different components...BF will certainly help you with that decision, which is not really as critical IMO. If you get the right frame, but low grade components, you can run them into the ground and then replace them with higher quality stuff if you want. But, if you get a bike with good components that isn't comfortable...you're stuck. So test test test ride all the bikes you can get your hands on.

But I'm a newbie too, so take my advice with a grain of salt.