Search engine optimisation (SEO) is one of the fastest-growing digital services in Pakistan. From Karachi and Lahore to Islamabad and smaller cities, businesses are investing to rank higher on Google, attract organic traffic, and grow sales. If you’re a student, freelancer, marketer, job seeker or business owner wondering
Why SEO services are in demand in Pakistan
Businesses in Pakistan are going online rapidly. E-commerce growth, local services, education platforms, and SMEs need visibility on search engines. SEO delivers long-term organic traffic, better ROI than most paid channels, and credibility in local markets. Common drivers:
- More consumers use Google to search for products and services in Urdu and English.
- SMEs need affordable marketing that scales (organic vs. paid ads).
- Companies want to reduce customer acquisition cost and increase sales funnel quality.
Quick answer: What does offering SEO services involve?
Short definition: Offering SEO services means assessing a client’s website and online presence, creating a strategy (on-page, technical, content, and off-page), executing improvements, tracking performance (rankings, traffic, conversions), and reporting results.
Core SEO services you should offer
Structure your services into clear packages. Common SEO services include:
- SEO Audit & Competitor Analysis
- Keyword Research & Strategy
- On-page SEO (title tags, meta descriptions, schema, content optimization)
- Technical SEO (site speed, mobile, crawlability, indexability)
- Content Creation & Content Strategy (blog posts, landing pages)
- Local SEO (Google Business Profile, local citations, Urdu/English listings)
- Link Building & Digital PR
- Reporting & Analytics (Google Analytics, Google Search Console)
- Maintenance & Ongoing Optimization
Step-by-step: How to Offer SEO Services in Pakistan
Follow these practical steps to launch and scale an SEO offering in the Pakistani market.
1. Build your skillset and portfolio
- Learn core SEO concepts: on-page, off-page, technical SEO, local SEO, and content marketing.
- Use tools: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs/Semrush/Ubersuggest, Screaming Frog, PageSpeed Insights, Rank tracking tools, and WordPress SEO plugins (Yoast/RankMath).
- Complete 2–3 sample projects: your site, a friend’s business, or volunteer for an NGO to show measurable results.
- Collect case studies with before/after metrics (traffic, keywords, conversions).
2. Define services, packages and pricing
Offer tiered packages (basic, growth, full). Example package table:
| Package | Deliverables (Monthly) | Ideal for | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Audit, 5 keywords, on-page fixes, basic reporting | New businesses, local shops | 3–6 months |
| Growth | Audit, 20 keywords, content creation (4 posts), link outreach | SMEs, e-commerce startups | 6–12 months |
| Enterprise | Full SEO strategy, technical fixes, content hub, outreach, monthly CRO | Established brands, marketplaces | 12+ months |
Tip: In Pakistan, many clients prefer monthly retainers. Consider offering 3-, 6-, and 12-month contracts with performance milestones.
3. Choose the right tech stack and tools
Use reliable tools to deliver and report results:
- Free: Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google My Business (Google Business Profile).
- Paid (recommended as you scale): Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, Screaming Frog, SurferSEO for content, GTmetrix, PageSpeed Insights.
- Local tools: Urdu keyword research tools, local citation directories (Pakistani business directories), and marketplaces like OLX or Daraz for competitor research.
If you’re looking for a local agency example, Growistan has built SEO programs tailored for Pakistani SMEs and marketplaces.
4. Find clients: sales channels that work in Pakistan
Combine online and offline outreach methods:
- Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr — good for initial traction and reviews.
- Local networks: LinkedIn, Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, and university alumni.
- Cold outreach: personalised emails and LinkedIn messages with a short audit snapshot.
- Referrals & partnerships: web developers, designers, and digital marketing agencies.
- Local events: startup meetups, Chambers of Commerce, and business associations in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
5. Craft a compelling proposal & onboarding process
Include the following in proposals to increase closing rates:
- Quick audit summary with 3–5 priority fixes (featured snippet-friendly).
- Clear deliverables and timelines (what will be done in month 1, month 2, etc.).
- Success metrics: target keywords, traffic growth, conversion goals.
- Transparent pricing and payment terms (monthly retainer or project-based).
- Case studies and references.
Local SEO and language considerations in Pakistan
Many Pakistani users search in Urdu, Roman Urdu, and English. Local SEO is crucial for businesses targeting city-level customers.
Local optimisation checklist
- Create and verify Google Business Profile (GBP) for each location.
- Use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across directories and citations.
- Target city-based keywords (e.g., “bakery in Karachi”, “SEO agency Lahore”).
- Use local schema markup (LocalBusiness) to help search engines.
- Collect and manage reviews (respond in Urdu/English where appropriate).
Delivering results: Execution & reporting
Consistent execution and transparent reporting build trust and make retention easier.
Monthly delivery checklist
- Implement technical fixes from audit (crawl errors, mobile usability).
- Publish and optimise content aligned with chosen keywords.
- Perform targeted outreach and link building with local and industry sites.
- Track rankings, organic traffic, impressions and CTR in Search Console.
- Measure conversions (contact forms, calls, purchases) using Google Analytics or server-side tracking.
- Deliver a succinct monthly report with wins, next steps and priorities.
Sample reporting layout
- Executive summary: wins & priorities (1 page)
- Top 10 keywords performance
- Traffic & conversion trends (30/90 day comparison)
- Work completed vs. planned
- Next month’s plan & estimated impact
Packaging and pricing tips for the Pakistani market
Pricing varies by expertise, industry and deliverables. Some tips:
- For freelancers: consider lower entry pricing but add upsells (content, link outreach).
- For agencies: provide clearly tiered monthly retainers and enterprise custom quotes.
- Be transparent about what you will and will not do (e.g., you may not guarantee exact ranking positions).
- Offer performance milestones and a review at 3–6 months.
Common challenges and how to overcome them
Expect these challenges and prepare solutions:
- Client expectation of instant results — educate about timelines (3–6 months for noticeable gains).
- Poor website or hosting — include a technical migration or site-fix plan.
- Limited content budget — use a pillar-cluster approach and repurpose content.
- Payment delays — use clear contracts with advance payment or milestone-based billing.
How to scale: hiring, SOPs, and automation
To grow beyond freelancing:
- Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for audits, content briefs, link outreach and reporting.
- Hire specialists: technical SEO, content writers (Urdu & English), outreach managers.
- Use automation for reporting (Google Data Studio), rank tracking and recurring tasks.
- Outsource repeatable tasks to reliable freelancers while retaining strategic control.
Useful resources & certifications
Stay credible and keep learning:
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification
- Google Digital Garage (free courses)
- Semrush Academy, Ahrefs Blog & YouTube, Moz Guides
- Local meetups and webinars by Pakistani digital marketing communities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to see SEO results in Pakistan?
Typically 3–6 months for local small businesses and 6–12 months for competitive national keywords. Results depend on industry, website quality, content, backlinks and budget.
Can I offer SEO services as a freelancer while studying?
Yes. Start with small projects, use freelance platforms to build a portfolio, and scale gradually. Time management and using templates/SOPs will help maintain quality.
Is local (Urdu) SEO important?
Yes. Targeting searches in Urdu and Roman Urdu, optimising Google Business Profile and local directories can significantly boost local visibility.
Final checklist: Ready to offer SEO services in Pakistan?
Use this quick checklist before you pitch to your first client:
- Have at least 2 case studies or sample projects
- Defined packages with clear deliverables
- Basic tech stack (GSC, GA, rank tracker, one paid SEO tool)
- Proposal template and a simple contract
- Onboarding checklist and reporting template
- Plan for local SEO (GBP, citations, reviews)
Conclusion
Offering SEO services in Pakistan is a practical business opportunity for freelancers, marketers and agencies. Focus on learning the technical and content sides, package clear deliverables, prioritise local SEO, and communicate realistic timelines to clients. With consistent execution, transparent reporting, and a local market understanding, you can build a sustainable SEO practice that helps Pakistani businesses grow organically.
If you want a starter proposal template or an audit checklist tailored for Pakistani SMEs, reply below and I’ll share a downloadable version.