Business Setup Guide

Start by identifying what product or service you want to offer. Define the problem you solve, your target customers, your price range, and why people should choose you.

Study your competitors, customer demand, pricing, location, and online trends. Speak to potential customers before investing heavily.

Decide how your business will make money. Common models include retail sales, services, subscriptions, agency work, manufacturing, online store, or marketplace selling.

Choose the right legal structure: • Sole Proprietorship — best for small businesses and freelancers • Partnership — best for two or more owners • Single Member Company — best for one owner wanting limited liability • Private Limited Company — best for scalable businesses

Pick a professional and unique business name. Check that the name is not already being used and that it matches your brand, domain, and social media handles.

For sole proprietorship, register with FBR and obtain NTN. For companies, register through SECP and complete incorporation requirements.

Register with FBR for tax purposes. If your business sells taxable goods or services, check whether sales tax registration is required.

Use your business documents, NTN, CNIC, and registration details to open a dedicated business bank account. Keep personal and business transactions separate.

Track income, expenses, invoices, purchases, salaries, taxes, and profit. Use bookkeeping software or a simple accounting system from day one.

Create your business profile, website, Google Business Profile, social media pages, and online listings. Make it easy for customers to find and contact you.

Create your logo, company profile, service list, pricing, brochure, business cards, and sales pitch. Use clear messaging that explains your value.

Define how orders, customer inquiries, payments, deliveries, services, and after-sales support will be handled.

Adopt tools such as CRM, POS, bookkeeping, inventory management, task management, and recruitment tracking to manage operations professionally.

Start lean. Hire only essential staff or outsource work such as accounting, marketing, website development, delivery, or customer support.

Launch your business through social media, local promotions, WhatsApp marketing, referrals, business listings, and paid promotions.

Monitor sales, expenses, leads, customer feedback, website visits, repeat customers, and monthly profit.

Improve your offer based on feedback. Add new services, expand locations, hire more staff, enter tenders, build partnerships, and invest in marketing.

File taxes on time, maintain records, renew registrations where required, follow industry rules, and keep business documentation updated.