Develop a web application in Visual Studio

I would like to develop a web application in Visual Studio. I would like to use SQL Server as my db. By Web application I mean, we enter a URL to get to the application, kind of a web portal. Where you can login in with your username and password. Functionalities that I would like to add is create user profiles (all personal user details), create access levels for user. Add a list of applications or systems that are in use and assign users to the system. Edit user profiles. Editing and Adding can be like forms, e.g. Forename: "input field", Surname: "input field etc. Once you save that it goes into the db and then can be retrieved to View the details.

As I am new to Visual Studio and .Net technologies, I would like to know:

1. What .net technologies/ frameworks would you recommend to start off with. I would also like that it be MVC as well if possible. Language can be c#.
2. How can I host my application. (web servers that can be used)
3. Any good article that will me in the process of developing & hosting.
4. How can it be accessible from outside the local network.
5. Setting up a db connection, would you recommend using an API or just a direct call in the application itself?

Thanks for you help.