Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. It can also be a great way to build an audience and make money. In Pakistan, almost every blog is built on WordPress which is a free and open-source Content Management System (CMS).

Almost every hosting platform supports to integration of the WordPress CMS. The steps are easy, just buy a domain, get hosting, and integrate WordPress from the control panel of your hosting provider.

I will suggest the following 5 Web Hosting services for WordPress websites:

Bluehost

Bluehost is a leading web hosting provider that has been empowering millions of websites worldwide. Bluehost is one of a few web hosts officially recommended by WordPress.org.

Its price starts from 2.95 $/ month.

Hostgator

HostGator's web hosting solutions cater to a wide range of needs and budgets, from individuals and small businesses to large enterprises and organizations. HostGator also offers integrations with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce (WordPress), enabling businesses to create online stores.

Its price starts from 5.95 $/ month

WPEngin

WPEngine is a WordPress hosting provider, specializing in providing optimized and secure hosting solutions for WordPress websites. It is a managed WordPress hosting, which distinguishes itself from traditional shared hosting by providing a specialized environment tailored to the unique needs of WordPress websites. WP Engine is an official partner of WordPress.org, the organization behind WordPress software development

Its price starts from 20 $/ month

Hostinger

Among the top-level hostings, hostinger.com is one of the hosting platforms that now, has become a trusted partner for individuals, businesses, and organizations of all sizes.

You will love two things about Hostinger. The first is that it offers a free plan for hosting a website. The second is that Hostinger has now started working in Pakistan. You can pay their charges in PKR and through any e-wallet like Easypaisa.

its price starts from 599 PKR/ month

For Online Stores/ E-Commerce:

Online stores and e-commerce have become increasingly important in today's digital age. Its convenience, accessibility, wide product selection, and global reach make it an attractive option for both consumers and businesses.

In 2023 and onward, global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $5.4 trillion. This figure is the least amount and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

Don't try to convert 1 trillion to PKRs. I have done it, and my head started revolving. But, for your information, 1 trillion is equal to 1 lack crore.

To host a website for an online store, there are plenty of options. However, I will suggest 3 options.

1. WordPress

2. Shopify

3. Manually/custom-built website

-> For WordPress, I already have explained the options for hosting. Try them and get the magic done.

-> Shopify is the second option and it has paid plans. Shopify is not free forever. However, they offer a free trial for 3 days and the first 3 months for 1$/ month. After that, they charge 25$/ month at least.

Shopify is the largest e-commerce platform because it has the following fantastic features:

✓
Customizable templates
✓
Easy to use
✓
Powerful product management system
✓
Orders tracking system
✓
Marketing and SEO tools
✓
Secure payment gateways
✓
Options to grow with time

Visit Shopify's website and get more information

Custom Built Websites:

This option may frustrate you if you are a non-tech person. However,
Building a custom website with a framework like Next.js for blogs or a store offers several advantages over using a pre-built platform like WordPress or Shopify. For example, we have full control over the flexibility and scalability of the website, integration of third-party tools and performance etc.

As a JavaScript/front-end web developer, I have created two websites: one for my store and the other for this blog. You can check both websites to see how fast they load and perform.

In my experience, the most effective use of this option is building single-page applications like portfolio showcases, company introduction/landing pages, or similar projects.

When hosting applications built with ReactJS/NextJS (JavaScript frameworks), there are two primary options available:

1. Netlify

2. Vercel

-> Netlify is a cloud-based web hosting platform specifically designed for static websites and Jamstack applications. It offers a serverless architecture, which means that your website's code is deployed directly to a global network of servers, eliminating the need for traditional server infrastructure. This makes Netlify's performance out-of-the-box.

Netlify's pricing structure is based on usage, making it a cost-effective option for websites with fluctuating traffic patterns. Traditional web hosting plans typically have fixed monthly fees, which may not be optimal for websites with seasonal fluctuations in traffic.

For small projects and those who are just starting, Netlify has FREE plan.

-> Vercel is a great option for hosting modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Next.js, Vue.js, and Angular. It is very similar to the Netlify platform, except a few technical features. It offers a number of advantages over traditional web hosting, such as faster deployment, improved performance, simplified development, and cost-effectiveness.

Vercel's plan also based on "Pay as you go". However, they have a FREE plan for small websites and those who are just starting up.