How to Start a Shopify Store in Pakistan: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you are thinking of starting a Shopify store in Pakistan, this can be pretty cool given how interest in eCommerce and online businesses is growing. Shopify is a world known system and is great for Pakistan entrepreneur that need to offer products online. In this comprehensive guide, we take you step by step through what it takes to set up your Shopify store including how to register your store and launch your first product.
If Shopify isn’t your thing (or you’re absolutely intimidated by the whole thing), it’s not a hard sell to convince you that Shopify is a great way to get started or expand your online store, whether you’re new to online retail or an experienced entrepreneur. However, before getting to the phase of product selection and marketing tactics, you have to learn how to tackle Shopify features, and common issues in Pakistan that arise.
Step 1: Create Your Shopify Account
The first and foremost thing to do is check out Shopify. Luckily, Shopify’s registration process is easily understandable. Here’s how to get started:
- Visit Shopify’s Website: Head over to Shopify’s official website and click on the “Start Free Trial” button
- Provide Your Information: Next, Shopify will ask for some basic information, such as your name, e mail address, password, and store name. Attempt to choose a store name that is easy to recollect and which portrays your brand..
- Fill in Your Address: You will have to tell Shopify your address. There is no restriction on geography to access Shopify while in Pakistan, but if you are in Pakistan you may have to fill a generic or local address for your store.
Tip: Choose a store name that is unique and memorable. This will be a key part of your branding and how customers find you.
Step 2: Select Your Shopify Plan
Shopify has pricing plans ranging starting from $39 to $399 monthly, after someone sign up. Entrepreneurs beginning with Shopify would like to use the Shopify Basic plan ($39/month) but, those involved in more advanced ventures will find the plans offering other features such as reporting, professional reports, and more.
The good thing is that you can begin with the 14 days free trial to test the platform before paying for any plan.
Step 3: Choose a Shopify Theme
People will buy from your online store only if it has a professional look. Shopify provides a wide range of themes, free and paid. To customize your store, follow these steps:
- Go to Online Store > Themes.
- Choose a Theme: Browse through the Shopify Theme Store, which offers several free and paid themes. Select a theme that suits your niche and business style.
- Customize the Theme: Once you’ve chosen a theme, you can customize it by adding logos, changing color schemes, and uploading your products.
Tip: Opt for a responsive theme to ensure that your store looks good on both desktop and mobile devices.
Step 4: Set Up Your Payment Gateway for Pakistan
We believe that setting up a reliable payment gateway is one of the most important steps when you are opening a Shopify store in Pakistan. Payment gateways like PayPal are unavailable in Pakistan but there are ways around that:
- PayFast: This is a popular payment gateway in Pakistan that stores in Shopify. Customers can pay with credit card or debit card as well as with local bank transfers.
- JazzCash & Easypaisa: They are local mobile wallets and payment gateways that make mobile phone based transactions seemless.
- Bank Transfers: Local customers can also be enabled to submit manual bank transfers to your account (as such a way of payments is much slower compared to automated banking).
To set up your payment gateway:
- Go to Settings > Payments.
- Choose the payment provider that suits your business needs, and connect your account.
Step 5: Set Up Shipping in Pakistan
Shipping is an essential part of your online store. Shopify provides several shipping options, including integration with local carriers and custom shipping rates. Here’s how you can set it up:
- Choose a Shipping Carrier: For local shipping within Pakistan, consider using Pakistan Post or third-party carriers like TCS, Leopards, or M&P. Shopify has a built-in carrier-calculated shipping feature that allows you to get real-time shipping rates.
- Set Shipping Zones: Go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery and configure your shipping zones to include local and international destinations.
- Set Shipping Rates: Based on your product weight, dimensions, and destination, create custom shipping rates for each region.
Tip: Offer free shipping for orders above a certain amount to encourage larger purchases.
Step 6: Add Your Products
Once you’ve set up your store’s basic infrastructure, it’s time to add products. Shopify allows you to add products easily with the following steps:
- Go to Products: On the left sidebar of the admin panel, click on Products and then click on Add Product.
- Enter Product Information: Fill in details like the product name, description, price, and SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). You can also upload high-quality images and set inventory quantities.
- Product Variants: If you have multiple versions of a product, such as different colors or sizes, you can create variants.
Tip: Write compelling product descriptions with clear and concise information. Use high-resolution images to give customers a better look at your products.
Step 7: Set Up Taxes for Pakistan
In Pakistan, you need to charge sales tax (GST) on certain goods and services. Shopify can automatically calculate taxes for local and international customers. To set it up:
- Go to Settings > Taxes.
- Enable taxes for Pakistan and set the default tax rates for each region where you are selling.
Step 8: Optimize Your Shopify Store for SEO
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial for ensuring that your Shopify store ranks on Google and attracts organic traffic. Here’s how to improve SEO:
- Add Meta Titles and Descriptions: Ensure that each page has unique and keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions.
- Use Keywords: Integrate relevant keywords like “Shopify store in Pakistan” and “Pakistan online store” throughout your product descriptions and store pages.
- Optimize Images: Add alt text to all images, ensuring that they are descriptive and include your target keywords.
Step 9: Launch Your Store
Once you’ve completed the setup, you’re ready to launch your Shopify store in Pakistan. Here’s how to make the big reveal:
- Preview Your Store: Before making your store live, preview it to make sure everything looks good.
- Activate Your Plan: Once you’re happy with the store, activate your Shopify plan and connect your domain name. You can either buy a new domain through Shopify or connect an existing one.
- Launch and Promote: Start promoting your store through social media, digital marketing, and word of mouth.
Step 10: Market Your Store
After launching your store, marketing is key to attracting customers. Here are some effective marketing strategies:
- Social Media Marketing: Create accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to promote your products.
- Email Marketing: Build an email list and send newsletters to your subscribers with updates, offers, and discounts.
- Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with local influencers to boost your store’s visibility.
FAQs
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store in Pakistan?
The basic Shopify plan costs around $39 per month, but you can start with a free 14-day trial. Additional costs may include apps, themes, and marketing expenses.
Can I use PayPal in Pakistan for Shopify?
No, PayPal is not supported in Pakistan, but there are alternative payment methods like PayFast, JazzCash, and Easypaisa.
Is Shopify available in Urdu?
Shopify doesn’t have an official Urdu version, but you can set your store’s language to English, or use translation apps to offer content in Urdu.
How long does it take to set up a Shopify store in Pakistan?
Setting up a Shopify store can take a few hours, but it may take several days or weeks to fully customize the store, add products, and set up payment and shipping options.
Do I need a business license to sell on Shopify in Pakistan?
While a formal business license may not be mandatory, it is highly recommended to register your business with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for tax purposes.
Conclusion
Setting up a Shopify store in Pakistan is a very manageable process which can open you the doors of a very successful online business. All you need are these steps to create your Shopify account, marketing your store, and have a fully functional eCommerce site designed with local minds in mind. By choosing the right payment gateway, shipping options and SEO strategies for your Shopify store, you will be sure to attract customers and grow.
Our Services: Let Us Help You Build a Shopify Store
If you’re looking for expert help in setting up your Shopify store, we are here to assist you. We specialize in creating unique, professional, and SEO-friendly Shopify stores that help you stand out in the competitive online marketplace. From custom designs to seamless integrations, we’ll ensure your store is visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines.
Contact us today, and we’ll design your Shopify store in a way that reflects your brand, engages customers, and helps drive sales. 😃