Online stores · Product catalogues · Gift shops
E-commerce websites in Pakistan
A proper online store with product pages and checkout — or a structured WhatsApp catalogue that makes ordering frictionless for customers who already live in their WhatsApp inbox.
E-commerce in the Pakistan context
Selling online in Pakistan is different from selling in Europe or the US. Most customers browse on mobile, many prefer to confirm orders on WhatsApp before paying, Cash on Delivery is still the dominant payment preference, and trust is built through conversation rather than automated checkout flows. An e-commerce website here needs to reflect those realities — not replicate a Western template that assumes credit cards and anonymous checkout.
I build two types of e-commerce solutions for Pakistani businesses: WhatsApp-catalogue sites, where products are beautifully presented and orders flow through WhatsApp for manual processing; and full cart-checkout stores, for businesses with higher order volumes that need a scalable system. Most businesses starting out do better with the WhatsApp approach first — it is lower friction for Pakistani customers and easier to manage before you reach consistent daily order volumes.
As a software engineer rather than just a designer, I can build both the front-end shopping experience and the back-end order management for clients who need it. I am also honest when a simpler solution is the right one for your current stage.
What your online store includes
- Product catalogue — categories, product pages with photos, descriptions, prices, and variants (size, colour, flavour) — built for mobile browsing
- WhatsApp ordering flow — “Order on WhatsApp” buttons that pre-fill product name, size, and quantity so orders arrive structured
- Cart and checkout — for full-store builds: add-to-cart, checkout flow, order confirmation, and payment gateway integration (JazzCash, EasyPaisa, Stripe)
- Delivery and shipping info — clear delivery areas, estimated times, COD and bank transfer instructions where applicable
- Search and filters — for larger catalogues, product search and category filtering so customers find what they want quickly
- Admin management — for full-store builds: a simple interface to update products, prices, and stock without needing a developer
Technical demos — GiftLink and DevOps POC (demos only)
GiftLink is a full-stack e-commerce application I built as an IBM Full-Stack Development capstone project. It includes product catalogue, user authentication, cart, and checkout. It is a course demo, not a real business. I share it to demonstrate engineering capability for complex store builds.
E-commerce DevOps POC is a technical proof-of-concept demonstrating containerised deployment, CI/CD pipeline, and cloud infrastructure for a scalable e-commerce backend. It is an infrastructure demo for technically sophisticated clients evaluating scalability. Both are labelled clearly as demos on their pages.
Quick answers
- What e-commerce options are available for Pakistani businesses?
- There are broadly three options: a WhatsApp catalogue (products listed on your site, orders placed via WhatsApp — works well for smaller catalogues), a custom e-commerce store with cart and checkout (for higher order volumes), and marketplace presence (Daraz, OLX). I build the first two; the right choice depends on your monthly order volume and whether customers prefer WhatsApp or direct checkout.
- Can I accept online payments on my website in Pakistan?
- Yes, though it requires a business bank account and integration with a payment gateway like JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or Stripe for international clients. Most Pakistani customers still prefer Cash on Delivery or WhatsApp-based ordering with manual payment confirmation. I build both flows and advise on what your specific customer base is likely to prefer.
- How much does an e-commerce website cost in Pakistan?
- A WhatsApp-catalogue style product site often starts from PKR 45,000. A full cart-and-checkout store with payment integration typically starts from PKR 80,000 depending on product count, payment gateway, and design complexity. I provide a fixed quote after understanding your catalogue and expected order volume.
- What is the GiftLink demo on your portfolio?
- GiftLink is a full-stack e-commerce capstone project I built as part of IBM professional development coursework. It demonstrates a complete product catalogue, user authentication, and checkout flow. It is a technical demo, not a real business. I include it to show engineering capability for complex store builds.
Ready to sell online?
Tell me what you sell, roughly how many products, and how customers currently order. I’ll recommend the right approach and quote.