How to learn the skills to design a good website?

+1 for WordPress.

is $120 / yr a common cost for a web host? Hostgator, or does anyone have a recommendation? I assume it is difficult to switch once you’ve chosen one

I’d like a professional looking website, with a similar look to below. I don’t think there will be a lot of data moving on the server side

https://www.workfolio.com/

to clarify, that site is pretty cool, but I do not want a personal site - I’m interested in a business site, that looks similar to the overall feel/layout of that one.

http://www.codeinwp.com/blog/wix-vs-squarespace-vs-virb-vs-weebly-vs-wordpress-theme-builders/