How To Start Ecommerce Business In Pakistan

Starting an e-commerce business in Pakistan has never been more promising. With over 87 million broadband subscribers and 190+ million mobile users as of 2025, Pakistan is rapidly becoming a digital-first economy. Government initiatives like “Digital Pakistan Vision” and a boom in online marketplaces like Daraz, Foodpanda, and OLX have paved the way for entrepreneurs like you to take your business online.

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Whether you’re planning to launch a full-fledged store or start selling through social media, this guide walks you through every essential step of starting your own e-commerce venture in Pakistan.

Why Start an E-Commerce Business in Pakistan?

E-commerce in Pakistan is growing at an impressive rate, over 30% annually, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). With a rising middle class, widespread internet penetration, and increasing trust in online payments, now is a great time to enter the digital marketplace.

By starting your own e-commerce business, you can:

Reach a nationwide audience with lower operational costs
Operate 24/7 without the overhead of a physical shop
Expand internationally using global platforms like Amazon or Shopify

Guide to Launching Your E-Commerce Business

1. Choose Your Product or Niche

Start by identifying what you want to sell. It could be:

Physical goods (clothing, electronics, beauty products)
Digital products (courses, eBooks, software)
Services (consulting, design, home services)

Tips:

Use Google Trends and local Facebook groups to spot trending niches.
Research competitors on Daraz or social media marketplaces.
Choose a product with good demand but less saturation.

2. Conduct Market Research

Before investing, validate your idea:

Who is your target audience?
What problem does your product solve?
How much are people willing to pay?

Use surveys, social media polls, and keyword research to collect data.

3. Register Your Business Legally

To operate professionally and access online payment gateways, register your business.

Steps to register:

Apply for a National Tax Number (NTN) via FBR’s IRIS portal.
Register your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or private limited company via SECP (Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan).
Open a business bank account in your registered name.

This step is essential for enabling payment gateways like JazzCash, Easypaisa, and bank transfers.

4. Build Your Online Store or Sales Channel

You can choose between:

Online marketplaces: Daraz, Facebook Marketplace, OLX (low barrier to entry)
Your own website: Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix (better brand control)
Social commerce: Sell directly through Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok Shop

Recommended Tools:

Shopify (₨3,000–₨6,000/month for starter plans)
WordPress with WooCommerce (₨10,000–₨25,000 for setup and hosting)
Daraz Seller Center (free to join, commission-based)

5. Set Up Online Payment and Delivery Solutions

Offer multiple payment options to build trust:

Cash on Delivery (COD) – Still preferred by over 70% of buyers in Pakistan.
Bank transfers, JazzCash, Easypaisa – Especially for digital products or advanced buyers.
Integrate payment gateways like PayFast, SadaPay, or Keenu if using your own website.

For logistics:

Partner with local couriers like Leopards Courier, TCS, BlueEx, or Trax.
Consider delivery aggregators like Rider or Swyft for faster dispatch and tracking.

6. Promote Your Store

Marketing is crucial to driving sales:

Run Facebook and Instagram ads with a small daily budget (₨500–₨2,000).
Collaborate with micro-influencers to create product awareness.
Use WhatsApp Broadcast to keep returning customers engaged.
Optimize for SEO if you have a website (use Urdu keywords where relevant too!).

7. Track, Improve, and Scale

Monitor your business performance using:

Google Analytics for website traffic
Facebook Insights for ad performance
Customer feedback for product and service quality

Based on data, tweak your marketing, expand your product line, or improve delivery times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Launching your e-commerce business in Pakistan is not only possible, it’s a smart move in 2025. With rising digital literacy, flexible online tools, and a supportive market environment, you have everything you need to get started.

Start small, stay consistent, and focus on quality and customer service. Whether you dream of building a side hustle or a full-scale digital brand, the time to take action is now.