
Scope of Digital Marketing in Pakistan: High Demand, Low Competition
The Digital Boom Is Waiting for None
The biryani wala of Karachi posted rice dumpling pictures on Instagram every day back in 2021. Fast forward to 2025, he owns a cloud kitchen that caters to three cities and solely relies on social media engagement and digital ads for his clientele.
It’s not one story for sure.
From a cozy collection of fashionable garments to a platform for online tuition to SaaS startups to freelance agencies, the number of businesses that depend on digital marketing is increasing.
Consumption of digital marketing services in Pakistan has exponentially increased. The sector still has relatively low competition, which strongly suggests that now is the right time to build a career or business in this niche.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing refers to the use of digital channels such as electronic search engines, social media platforms, email, websites, and mobile and internet apps for the purpose of marketing products or services.
Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing businesses are much more targeted in their audience, tracking engagement, and optimizing the campaign based on measurable metrics.
However, whether you are promoting an e-commerce store through Facebook ads or optimizing a local bakery’s presence on Google, marketing provides ample opportunities for promoting on a wider scale at a lower cost. Hence, it is becoming more important for small and budding organizations.
Different Types of Digital Marketing
To fully grasp what is entailed therein, we can venture to highlight the major kinds of digital marketing:
1. Search Engine Optimization
It deals with optimizing websites to make them rank higher on search engines like Google. For example, an SEO-optimized blog post on the best winter jackets in Lahore should be able to get thousands of organic visitors each month without a single dime being spent on ads.
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising
PPC campaigns such as Google Ads or Meta Ads give instant visibility. You pay only when someone clicks the ad. You can use these for time-sensitive campaigns, such as product launches or seasonal sales.
3. Content Marketing
Content marketing is represented by blogs, infographics, videos, and e-books. It is all about providing value upfront to gain trust and brand authority.
4. Social Media Marketing
This involves reaching out through Facebook ads, Instagram posts, TikTok engagements, and LinkedIn-sponsored campaigns for audience interaction and updates on product and service offerings.
5. Email Marketing
It is still one of the most ROI-driven forms of marketing, allowing you to stay in touch with your customers, nurture leads, and push offers directly to their inbox.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Sites promote others’ products and earn commissions. It is quite popular among Pakistani bloggers and YouTubers, just like any other marketing strategy.
7. Influencer Marketing
This entails engaging local influencers to reach niche audiences. An example could be a newly launched skincare brand looking to partner with a beauty blogger based in Lahore to create genuine buzz.
Reasons Why Digital Marketing Dominates
There are distinct advantages that digital marketing provides for Pakistani businesses and professionals:
- Low Cost, High Returns: A high-converting Facebook ad campaign can start from just a few thousand rupees.
- Targeted Outreach: Advertise your product to specific cities, age groups, or the interests of consumers.
- Measurable Results: See the impact of every single rupee of your ad spend and modify your campaign on the fly.
- Global Reach: Even small brands, with the right plans in place, will need to sell to audiences abroad.
- Scalability: Digital marketing will grow with you, be it a one-person online shop or a national brand.
High Demand, Low Competition
Despite the booming eCommerce and tech startup scene in Pakistan, the digital marketing sector remains surprisingly underutilized. Here’s why:
- Limited Skilled Workforce: Most businesses rely on outdated tactics due to a lack of trained marketers.
- Slow Adoption by SMEs: Many traditional businesses are just starting to move online.
- Fewer Specialized Organizations: While SEO agencies in Pakistan and social media specialists are booming, there remains an enormous gap in credible service providers in the less populous cities.
For hopeful marketers, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, it means just one thing: opportunity.
Khired Digital, for instance, is an established digital marketing agency in Pakistan that is helping its clients transform their businesses through updated SEO, PPC, content strategies, and data-driven decision-making. It uses international experience to provide results. Thus, establishing itself as the preferred agency in the market for companies desiring the required results.
Digital Marketing vs Traditional Marketing
Feature | Digital Marketing | Traditional Marketing |
Cost | Budget-friendly & scalable | Expensive for small businesses |
Reach | Global or local targeting | Mostly local |
Measurability | Real-time analytics available | Limited tracking |
Engagement | High (comments, likes, shares) | One-way communication |
ROI | Higher and measurable | Hard to calculate |
Personalization | High (based on user behaviour) | Very low |
Real-World Applications
- Startups: SaaS startups are running entire campaigns online using Google Ads, blog marketing, and LinkedIn outreach.
- Ecommerce Stores: Shopify and WooCommerce-based stores are growing through Facebook and Instagram ads.
- Freelancers & Agencies: Many freelance marketers earn in dollars by serving international clients from Pakistan.
An online business idea that’s trending right now? Launch a niche digital agency offering social media and SEO services to local brands. You don’t even need a physical office.
Final Thoughts
The digital marketing industry in Pakistan stands poised for growth. Businesses are starting to realize it. Whether you are an undergraduate student, a digital entrepreneur, or an already established business, digitization spells sheer opportunity, mostly in niche segments that are yet to see some serious competition.
If you’re prepared to exploit the opportunity, Khired Digital can partner with you to set up or grow your online presence through tailored strategies, expert implementation, and a focus on measurable ROI. Let’s future-proof your brand.
Get in touch if you wish to have an infographic, checklist, or social post to accompany this blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is digital marketing a good career in Pakistan?
Yes, it’s one of the fastest-growing fields, with demand across industries. From e-commerce to education, every sector now needs skilled digital marketers.
How much do digital marketers earn in Pakistan?
Entry-level marketers can earn Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 70,000/month, while experienced professionals or freelancers working with international clients can make upwards of Rs. 200,000/month.
Do businesses in smaller cities need digital marketing?
Absolutely. Even local businesses in smaller cities are seeing growth by using social media ads, Google My Business, and SEO-optimized websites.