How to Create Shopify Store in Pakistan: Detailed Guide 2024

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Can we create Shopify store in Pakistan? The answer is “Yes”. Shopify is gaining much popularity among entrepreneurs in Pakistan. According to the recent data from Store Leads (November 18, 2024), there exist 30,044 live Shopify stores in Pakistan. In this article, we are going to take you through a step-by-step guide on how to create Shopify store in Pakistan.

What to Consider Before Creating Shopify Store in Pakistan

Pakistani Market Research

Identify your niche: Decide about the products or services you will be offering. Take into consideration market demand, competition, and your interests or expertise.
Understand your audience: Understand your target audience’s preferences, buying habits, and needs. It might be different between rural and urban regions.
Analyze competitors: Search for other e-commerce websites in Pakistan, especially those running on Shopify. Identify their strengths and weaknesses to identify your USP.

Technical Requirements

Stable Internet connection: This is quite necessary, especially when there is a tendency of “load shedding” or power outage in an area. It keeps your store accessible round the clock without any hiccups in operation.
Computer or laptop: Create an effective store using a computer or laptop. You can manage your store easily, starting from listing to responding to customer inquiries and analytics.
Supported web browsers: To get better performance, use only supported web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. The Best experience in Shopify will be guaranteed.
High-quality product images: Avail high-quality product images and professional branding material. Good-looking images will enhance the outlook of your store and increase sales.
Unique domain name: Choose a unique and memorable domain name; it would be better if the extension of the domain name is “.pk” or “.com”. It gives identity and establishes your brand among online stores.
SSL certificate: Shopify has also included an SSL certificate for safe online transactions. This is essential for building trust with your customers and protecting their data.
Local payment gateways: Familiarize yourself with local payment gateways that can be seamlessly integrated into your store. In Pakistan, options like EasyPaisa or JazzCash are popular choices.
Shipping and logistics plan: Design a coherent shipping and logistics plan that would integrate with the diverse geographic layout in Pakistan. This may include joint ventures with the more reliable courier services to increase your delivery performance.
Customer support tools: Integrate customer support tools, like live chat, to give the best customer service experience possible. This can answer customers’ queries in time and enhance their shopping experience.

>> Related topic: TOP 10 eCommerce websites in Pakistan

Legal Aspects

Business registration: Get your business registered with SECP (the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan); this is a crucial step towards giving legitimacy to your business.
Sales tax registration: Get yourself registered for sales tax with the FBR (the Federal Board of Revenue) to get appropriate tax numbers, which means compliance with the local tax laws.
Ecommerce policy awareness: Updates on the ecommerce policy framework as set by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Understanding such regulations means you will work within legal boundaries.
Privacy policy implementation: Implement a privacy policy on how you handle customer data given that its usage is governed by data protection regulations. This becomes a customer trust builder while keeping their information safe.
Consumer rights compliance: As a business, comply with consumer rights laws to ensure all practices are handled fairly and transparently. This includes things like return policies and customer service.
Currency and foreign exchange regulations: Comply with the regulations of currency and foreign exchange in Pakistan, which is important if your business ever needs to deal with international transactions.
Digital content legalities: Understand the digital content legalities regarding copyrights and trademarks to avoid possible legal issues.
Import and export laws: As you are going to take part in international shipments, keep yourself aware of import and export laws for compliance and smooth operations.

How to Create Shopify Store in Pakistan: Step-By-Step Guide

Setting up Your Shopify Store

Shopify Sign-up

Start a Shopify store with the free trial

Head to shopify.com.
Shopify offers a very generous 3-day free trial to all newcomers, allowing Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore the platform without financial commitments.

Provide email, password, and store name

Enter a valid email address. This will be fundamental to all communications and processes of account recovery.
Choose a strong password. Given the sensitivity of e-commerce operations, prioritize security.
Your store name at this point doesn’t have to be final, but it helps to have one in mind. This name at first will be used for your default store URL, such as “storename.myshopify.com”.

Answer Shopify’s questions

Shopify is going to ask you some questions pertaining to your business. These may range from something as simple as what kind of products you sell to revenue currently. Shopify will use this information in personalizing the dashboard and recommendation. For Pakistani businesses, it’s also a chance to highlight the local market and its potential for growth.

Click “Enter my store”

Once all the information has been entered, this button will take you to the hub of all your e-commerce activities, the Shopify dashboard. This dashboard will be the center of your online business for product listings to customer analytics.

Explore and familiarize

The 3-day trial will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the features offered by Shopify for Pakistani businesses. First, test the settings, then proceed with testing different design options, and finally add some products. This experience in testing will get you well prepared for the launch of your store, which makes this step very crucial towards creating a successful Shopify store here in Pakistan.

Localization Settings

Language settings

While English is quite generally understood in Pakistan, particularly in urban centers, an Urdu version of your website would do wonders for the user experience. Languages can be added to a Shopify website by the shop owners.

From your Shopify dashboard, click into “Settings”.
Select “Languages”.
Click the “Add languages” drop-down menu and add Urdu.
Translate manually, or consider hiring a professional translator specializing in culturally relevant translations.

Currency settings

It is a prerequisite that your store shall have prices in Pakistani Rupee.

Go to “Settings” from your Shopify dashboard.
Click on “Store details.”
In the “Store currency” section, change the store currency to Pakistani Rupee (PKR).

Date and time format

You are supposed to modify the local date format as DD/MM/YYYY, along with the local time format to give clarity to the customers. This is especially vital when communicating order delivery times, sales durations, or time-sensitive promotions.

In your Shopify dashboard, click “Settings”, then click “Time zone and units of measurement”.
Adjust the date format and set the preferred time format.

Tax settings

Pakistani businesses need to be compliant with local tax regulations. Ensure you’ve set up the appropriate tax rates for sales within Pakistan. Shopify offers settings to adjust taxes based on your region, making compliance straightforward.

Go to “Settings” in the Shopify dashboard and click on “Taxes and duties”.
Configure tax rates relevant to Pakistani regulations.

Shipping and delivery options

Since Pakistan has a widespread landscape from the cosmopolitan cities such as Karachi to the isolated destinations in Balochistan, shipping options should be localized. Consider collaborating with regional courier services that are well-versed with the local Pakistani address and routes.

Go to “Settings” and click on “Shipping and delivery”.
Add or edit shipping rates and services for Pakistan, considering courier alliances in the region.

Payment methods

Though credit and debit card use is increasingly popular, most Pakistanis use cash on delivery or bank transfer. Add in local payment methods that give the option of COD and bank transfer at checkout so your customers can check out easily.

In the Shopify dashboard, from “Settings” click on “Payments”.
Local payment gateways to accommodate COD and bank transfers.

Cultural nuances

Beyond technical settings, one needs to be aware of cultural festivals, shopping trends, and likes in the region. In that regard, preparing for sales during Eid or Pakistan Day may serve as a good springboard to catch the attention of the local market.

Develop your promotional calendar for your store based on festivals in Pakistan and shop-friendly seasons of the country.
Localize your store’s imagery, banners, and campaigns according to events happening within the area, such as Eid, Pakistan Day, etc.

Customer support

Though Shopify has strong support, having a local helpline or chat support that understands the local issues and can communicate proficiently in Urdu or regional languages will go a long way.

Add to your Shopify store a chat plugin such as Tawk.to or LiveChat.
Train your support staff on local problems and cultural nuisances, ensuring they will be ready to answer questions not only in the language of English but also Urdu.

Legal and compliance

Be aware of the local ecommerce regulations, consumer rights, and return policies particular to Pakistan. Ensure that your terms of service, return policies, and other legal pages take into consideration these nuances.

Go to “Settings” and click “Legal” from your Shopify dashboard.
Update the terms of service, return policies, and other legal documents to comply with e-commerce regulations in Pakistan.

Shopify Dashboard

After registering and setting up your Shopify store, the next very important area you should familiarize yourself with is the Shopify Dashboard. This central hub encompasses everything you need to manage and grow your online business, making it indispensable for a Shopify store in Pakistan. Knowing how to operate the dashboard is very important for Pakistani entrepreneurs looking to tap into this e-commerce giant. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Navigating the Home Page: The Home Page gives a glimpse into the performance of your store.

Look at the “Today’s Sales” section to get an idea about the revenues for the day.
Look into “Online Store Sessions” to understand visitor traffic.
Look into “Top products by units sold” for bestseller insights.

Orders section: This is the section for managing and viewing all customer orders, with details of transactions.

Click on “Orders” in the left-hand sidebar.
Order details include the products ordered, customer information, and total amount.
Fulfill orders by clicking on the “Fulfill” button when items are ready for dispatch.

Customers section: View and manage customer information.

Click “Customers” on the sidebar.
Understand your customers by viewing order history, contact details, and location.
Group your customers into segments to filter and create more targeted marketing campaigns around local events, such as Eid or Pakistan Day.

Analytics section: Understand how the store is performing regarding customer behavior and sales trends.

Click “Analytics” on the sidebar.
Check “Reports” for sales, traffic, and customer details.
Use this to enrich your store according to Pakistani customer preferences.

Marketing section: Create and run marketing campaigns.

Click on “Marketing” from the left hand sidebar.
Set up the marketing campaigns according to the festival seasons or events of Pakistan.
Monitor the campaign response and change strategies accordingly.

Discounts section: For special prices, deals, and discounts.

Select “Discounts” from the sidebar.
Create discount code or automated discounts on special occasions such as Ramadan sales or Independence Day sales.

Settings section: Configure settings related to stores, payments, and configurations.

Scroll to the bottom of the sidebar and click “Settings”.
Configure payment gateways, including local Pakistani payments.
Edit shipping rates, tax, and localization options for the Pakistani market.

Apps section: Integrate third-party applications to extend the functionality of your store.

Click “Apps” on the sidebar.
Find and add apps that are relevant to Pakistani consumers, such as local payment gateway support or translation into Urdu.

Selecting a Theme

No successful ecommerce store can be seen without a clean aesthetic appeal and usability design. In the case of a Shopify store in Pakistan, it means selecting a Shopify theme that would work well with the aesthetic and cultural sensibilities of the Pakistani market. Here’s the step-by-step process of how this should be done:

Understanding your audience

Cultural Preferences: Reflect upon rich tapestry of Pakistan’s diverse regions within your designs, hence, if it is Punjabi festivals and colorful spirit, or intricate Sindhi crafts, or symbolic motifs of Balochistan, so far as the areas concerned.
Mobile vs. desktop usage: Keeping in mind that a large section of Pakistani customers shop through their mobile devices, ensure your theme is mobile friendly. Preview themes on different devices to see how they adjust .
Local aesthetics: It could be truck art; patterns from local textiles or architectural elements emanating from famous Pakistani landmarks. Take all these and include them in your design to give it a local flavor.

Customizing your theme

Customizing a Shopify theme makes your online store unique and creates an appeal among Pakistani customers. Here is how to do it in a structured way:

Access theme customization panel

In your Shopify dashboard, click on “Online Store”.
Click “Customize” next to the name of the theme that you want to edit.

Modify the layout

Click “Sections” located under this customization panel.
Adding and removing any number or moving sections according to your liking will rearrange the layout.

Customize the Homepage banner

Under “Sections,” select “Header” or “Slideshow” (based on the theme).
Upload high-resolution images synonymous with Pakistani culture, such as bustling local markets, famous landmarks, or festive celebrations.
Add relevant taglines or promotional texts.

Integrate local imagery

For product images, consider adding pictures of Pakistani nationals using/ showcasing your products.
In “Sections”, click the appropriate section, for example “Featured Image” or “Gallery”, and replace or add images to reflect local flavor.

Infuse cultural motifs and colors

In the customization panel, click “Theme Settings”.
Click “Colors” and set the palette to include those prominent Pakistani colors, such as rich greens and whites.
Within that same “Theme Settings”, check into settings such as “Background” to add patterns or motifs common within Pakistani culture.

Adjust typography

In “Theme Settings”, click on “Typography”.
Pick fonts that represent your brand feel and the look and feel you want to evoke; still, consider readability for Pakistanis.

Incorporate localized call-to-action (CTA):

Update the CTAs with terms a Pakistani buyer would use. For instance, change “Buy Now” to “Grab Yours Today”, which is more local-centered and will resonate more with how buyers buy locally.

Add social media links

In the “Theme Settings”, scroll to “Social Media”.
Add links to your brand’s social platforms, mainly those popular in Pakistan, like Facebook and Instagram, to create better customer engagement.

Save and preview

Once all the above changes have been affected, click “Save” at top right.
Preview your store to make sure that all your customizations are viewed as desired.

Creating Collections

Think of collections as the virtual store aisles. They allow you to present your products in an organized manner, which is intuitive for them to reach exactly what they are looking for. Here is a step-by-step guide on creating collections that will truly resonate with your Pakistani audience:

Understanding collections

A collection is essentially a conceptualized experience-much like howstalls are organized by product type within the traditional Pakistani markets. For example, fabrics are found together in Anarkali Bazaar While electronics are found in Hafeez Centre.

Similarly, collections in your online store segment your products into distinct categories. This makes shopping more efficient and enables customers to browse for what they want specifically and with purpose.

>> You may concern: 10 Dropshipping Websites in Pakistan

Creating collections

Access Shopify Dashboard

Navigate to your Shopify admin panel.
Select “Collections” from “Products”.

Create a new collection

Click the “Create Collection” button.
Name the collection. For example, if you sell clothes, you might have “Women’s Wear”, “Men’s Wear”, “Traditional Attire”, etc.

Set collection conditions

You can add products to a collection manually or create conditions in order for products to be automatically added.
For example, all products with a title containing the word “kurta” will be automatically added to the “Traditional Attire” collection.

Customize collection image and description

Add the representative image of the collection. In the case of the “Traditional Attire” collection, an image of any popular Pakistani attire would do.
Add a short description, describing what customers would expect in this collection.

Save and preview

Once all the information has been entered, click “Save”.
Preview the collection on your store to ensure it shows up just right.

Localization

Naming Collections: As English is highly readable in urban areas of Pakistan, use names or words that will have meaning to local people. For example, instead of “Men’s Shoes” , name it “Mardana Jootay”
Bilingual Descriptions: It is a nice idea to have bilingual collection descriptions. Start with the English text and then translate it in Urdu. The display will get clarity and be inclusive, as there will be a bigger number of targeted audience reach.
Cultural Relevance: Make sure collections should be in-line with Pakistani culture and trends. For example, a product collection during the month of Ramzan “Ramzan Special” may offer products aligned with the holy month.

Adding Products

E-commerce is the equivalent of the shop’s display window. In today’s ecommerce world, they are the first impression, attract customers, and influence the buying decision. For Pakistani businesses, especially those coming from visually-rich industries like textiles, it is pivotal that your product listings are immaculate. Here’s how:

Access Shopify Dashboard

Go to your Shopify admin.
In the left-hand sidebar, click “Products” and “Add product”.

Product details

You should start with writing the product title.
Give a detailed description. The product description should be good enough to mention material, size and washing instructions among other information that might be helpful.

Add images

Click on the “Media” section.
Thereafter click on “Upload New” updating photos of the products.

Set price and inventory

Add the price of the product
If you want to track an inventory of this product, add inventory information like SKU and barcode if available.

Shipping details

If the product has to be shipped, make sure you mention the weight and dimension so that an accurate estimation of the shipping cost can be found.

Product variants

If you are selling a product which has different variants based on size, color, or similar factors, then you should add a variant.
Click on the “Add variant” option and add relevant variant information.

Assign to collections

If you have already created collections as per the previous section, assign the product to relevant collections.

Additional settings

Use sections such as “Search engine listing preview” to optimize your product’s online visibility.

Save and review

Once all information is filled, click “Save”.
Preview your product listing to your store to make sure that everything appears as you would want it to appear.

Registering a Domain Name

Now that you have started setting up your Shopify store, you can now sign up for a domain name. An easy process, though the steps taken should be followed to the latter for proper smooth running. Here is a step-to-step guide to help you through:

Finding a domain name

As mentioned earlier, you are going to select a name which should ring with your brand and brands and relate to the Pakistani consumer.
You may use various tools like domain name checks so as to see if your preferred choice is available.

Choosing a domain registrar

You can select quite a number of famous domain registrars from different parts of the world which include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost.
You may check out Pakistani registrants like PKNIC for a local touch dealing in “.pk” extensions.

Checking local availability

If you get a “.pk” or “.com.pk” extension, then make sure it’s available. Some of the domains can be reserved or premium in which case these are going to be more costly than ordinary domains.

Registering the domain

Once you have chosen a registrar and checked the availability, it is time for registering. Just create an account at your selected platform.
Add the domain to your cart, and proceed to checkout. Typically, domain names are rented on an annual basis, so you’ll need to renew them each year.

Providing accurate details

During registration, you’ll be prompted for specific details – name, address, email, phone number, etc. Ensure these details are accurate and up-to-date. This information is crucial for domain ownership and recovery processes.

Opting for domain privacy

Domain privacy (often termed WHOIS protection) shields your personal details from being publicly accessible. Given concerns about data privacy, especially in Pakistan, this is a recommended step.

Completing the payment

Most registrars accept international credit/debit cards. However, ensure beforehand if they accept local Pakistani payment methods if that’s your preference.
Once payment is confirmed, you’ve successfully registered your domain.

Configuring domain settings

Upon registering, you’d be taken to a dashboard where the registrar would make configurations in domain settings, set up email addresses attached with the domain, or even forward the domain to Shopify Store or another hosting provider.

Renewal reminders

Most often, the domain names are registered for a year. The renewal date must be followed. While most registrars already send reminders, generally, it would be good practice for Pakistani businesses to set up their own reminders, so they never forget the renewal date and the domain expires.

Secure and backup

Domains are your digital assets. Use strong passwords, unique for your registrar account. Do regular backups for any associated data, particularly if you have configured email services on them.

Integrating Shopify Apps

The right app integration can lift your ecommerce store function value, or rather, raise the bar from backend operations to the front-end user experience.

Go to the Shopify App Store: On your Shopify dashboard, click on “Apps” on the left sidebar; from there, select “Visit Shopify App Store”.
Browse or search for apps: You could look for specific apps through the use of the search bar or browse through different categories. With the ecommerce dynamics of Pakistan in mind, look for apps that would provide customer reviews, language translation, or currency converter features.
Find and install an app: Once you see an application that suits your needs, click on it. You can read its description, reviews, and pricing details. Click on “Install” to install it. If the app developer wants you to follow through any setup, then do accordingly.
Configure App Settings: Once you are installed with it, go to “Apps” on your Shopify dashboard and click on the app installed to configure its setting in your own way.
Test the app: Make sure, before going all in, that this app functions properly in your store, that there are no conflicts with other apps, and no UI issues.

Integrating Shopify Payment Gateways

For Pakistani businesses, integration of the payment gateways leads to local preferences of bank transfers or COD.

Go to payment providers: In the Shopify dashboard, click on the word “Settings” and select “Payment”.
Primary payment method: Shopify has its own payment service, but considering regional preferences, especially in Pakistan, it is preferable to use a local gateway. Click “Supported payment methods”.
Local payment gateway: Select from the given list a known gateway trusted by people of Pakistan such as JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or other services catering to your target audience.
Set up the gateway: Once selected, you’ll be prompted to provide necessary details like API keys, merchant ID, etc. Fill in these details, which you’d get after registering with the respective payment provider.
Activate cash on delivery (if needed): Given its popularity in Pakistan, consider activating COD. Under the “Manual payments” section, click “Add manual payment method” and select “Cash on Delivery.”
Review and test: After setting up, it’s vital to conduct a few test transactions to ensure the process is seamless and there are no hitches during checkout.

FAQs

Is Shopify available in Pakistan?

Yes, you can start a Shopify store from Pakistan. Shopify is accessible to the users of all countries around the world and also to Pakistan. All you need is an internet connection and the required business details to set up your store.

How much does a Shopify website cost in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, Shopify provides several plans, with 3 core plans being Basic Shopify ($25/month), Shopify ($65/month), and Advanced Shopify ($399/month). Local pricing may apply, though,with things such as payment gateways, domain name registrations, or app integrations specific to the Pakistani market.

Which is the best gateway for Shopify in Pakistan?

Several payment gateways can be integrated with Shopify for Pakistani merchants. The popular choices include JazzCash, EasyPaisa, and the payment solutions offered by Bank Alfalah. Which one is the “best” usually depends on your target audience’s preferences and the transaction fees associated with each service.

Bottom Up

Shopify is indeed available and accessible for ecommerce merchants based in Pakistan. As a strong tool in a rapidly evolving landscape, Pakistan-based entrepreneurs have the most robust platform at hand to further their success in the world of online commerce. With our guide, we hope that it’ll be easier for you to master how to create a Shopify store in Pakistan. Let’s start the store in Pakistan now!

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