I need help with creating a website with iPage

Question:

So in my senior year, i took a web page design class and i really got the hang of it. so i know how to create a website, the only problem is that i dont know how to publish it. He never showed us.
I know i need a ftp server, but the problem is that i don’t know where to get one.
I was looking at ipage.com and it is cheap, but i was thinking if im paying than my website should have some profit to it.
i want to know if there is a program or a website that can give me an ftp server. If it’s free, than it’s better.
I hear things about FileZilla and IDM (Internet Download Manager) but idk what they do exactly.
i also want the website not to include something like this: Ex:http://mywebsite.something.com
I have a windows laptop and i also have a router if that helps
Thanks!

Answer:

You don’t “get an FTP server”, you get a web hosting account and use an FTP program to upload the files to the web server.

It doesn’t matter that you have a Windows laptop and a router.  As long as you have a computer (doesn’t matter which O/S you’re running, either) with an internet connection, you’re good to go.

1. If you don’t want a sub-domain name like mywebsite.something.com, you’ll need to buy a domain name.  Use NameCheap for cheap domain names.
2. Then you’ll need a web hosting account.  ipage is a good choice.  When you buy the iPage hosting plan, on the order form select ‘Transfer an existing domain’.  Keep in mind you are transferring web hosting (they assume you have the domain name hosted with another company), not transferring the domain name from NameCheap.  Whatever you do, do NOT transfer your domain name from NameCheap to them.
3. After you get the hosting then login to your NameCheap account and change the DNS Nameservers to the iPage servers.  That points your domain name to your hosting account.  They are ns1.ipage.com and ns2.ipage.com
4. You’ll need to wait for about 1/2 hr to a couple of hours (should be sooner) for DNS to resolve.
5. Login to your iPage control panel, find the file manager and delete the default home page in the root of your account.  If you don’t, it will load as opposed to your website.
6. Download a free FTP program.  FileZilla is ok.  I like using CuteFTP, but FileZilla works fine.
7. Spark up FileZilla.  You’ll want to connect to yourdomain.com, enter your hosting account username/password and use port 21.
8. Once connected, upload your website’s files to the root of the account.