Running a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Dhaka—whether a boutique in Banani, a café in Dhanmondi, or a tech startup in Mirpur—means competing in a vibrant, fast-paced market. The key question for many SMEs is: How do I stand out without breaking the bank? The answer is digital marketing. This guide provides actionable, low-cost steps tailored for Dhaka-based businesses to build an online presence, attract customers, and grow sustainably.

Another question: “How do I get more people to notice my business without spending a fortune?”

The answer? Digital Marketing.

Table of Contents

Why Digital Marketing Matters for SMEs in Dhaka

Traditional marketing like billboards or flyers is costly and hard to measure. Digital marketing, however, levels the playing field. With over 47 million social media users in Bangladesh, many concentrated in urban hubs like Dhaka (DataReportal, 2023), your customers are online—scrolling Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, searching Google, or chatting on WhatsApp. Digital marketing is affordable, measurable, and lets you reach the right audience at the right time. Dhaka has one of the fastest-growing internet user bases in South Asia, and people spend hours every day on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. That means your customers are online right now—searching, scrolling, and deciding what to buy.

Note: Success requires ongoing effort. This guide covers beginner-friendly steps, but testing and refining strategies (e.g., using Google Analytics) is key to long-term results.

Build a Website – Your Digital Storefront

A website is your business’s online home, where customers learn about your products, services, and story. It’s essential for credibility and sales, especially for e-commerce. The first thing you need is an online home for your business—a website. This is where potential customers can learn about you, browse your products or services, and contact you. Start small:

How to Start

Choose Shared Hosting: Shared hosting (e.g., Namecheap’s Stellar plan, $17.76 for the first year, $48.88/year on renewal) means your website shares server space with others, keeping costs low but limiting performance for high-traffic sites. Upgrade to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) later if traffic grows.
Register a Domain: Pick a simple domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com, ~$10/year via Namecheap or Hostinger).
Build a Simple Site: Use WordPress for flexibility or Wix for ease. Ensure it’s mobile-friendly, as 90% of Dhaka’s internet users browse on phones (DataReportal, 2023). Include your products/services, contact details, and a unique selling point (e.g., “Handcrafted kurtas from local artisans”).
Local Tip: Many Dhaka customers prefer cash-on-delivery. Integrate local payment gateways like bKash or Nagad for e-commerce.

Cost: ~$30/year (hosting + domain for basic sites). For setup help, hire a local freelancer from Upwork or Fiverr ($50–$200).

E-commerce Platform Comparison

If selling online, choose a platform that fits your budget and skills. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Feature	WooCommerce (WordPress)	Shopify	BigCommerce
Cost	Free plugin + hosting ($3–$10/month). Premium plugins may cost $50–$200/year.	$29–$299/month (includes hosting). Apps/themes add $10–$100/month.	$29–$299/month (includes hosting). Apps/themes add $10–$100/month.
Ease of Use	Moderate (requires setup knowledge, e.g., hosting configuration).	Very easy (drag-and-drop, no hosting setup).	Easy, with built-in features for catalogs.
Customization	Highly flexible (thousands of plugins/themes).	Limited to Shopify’s ecosystem.	Moderate (less flexible than WooCommerce).
Transaction Fees	None (except payment gateways like bKash, ~1–2%).	2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (unless using Shopify Payments, unavailable in Bangladesh).	2.9% + 30¢ (unless using specific gateways).
Scalability	Scales with hosting upgrades (e.g., VPS, $20–$50/month). May need technical skills.	Scales easily, but costs rise quickly.	Highly scalable, enterprise-friendly.
Ownership	Full control (you own hosting/data).	Hosted by Shopify (less control).	Hosted by BigCommerce (less control).
Best For	SMEs wanting control and cost savings.	Beginners needing simplicity.	Larger SMEs with complex catalogs.

Tip: For Dhaka SMEs, WooCommerce is cost-effective but requires setup skills. Shopify is beginner-friendly but pricier long-term. Test both with free trials.

Claim Your Google Business Profile (Free)

A Google Business Profile makes your business appear in Google Search and Maps when customers look for “boutique in Banani” or “café near me.” It’s free, boosts local visibility, and builds trust with reviews.

Why It Matters to Local Businesses?

Appears in local search results and Google Maps.
Customers can call or visit directly from search.
Displays hours, photos, and reviews (e.g., “5 stars for great coffee!”).
Increases inquiries by 20–30% within months (Google, 2022).

Step-by-Step Setup

Sign In: Visit google.com/business with your business Gmail.
Add Business Name: Enter your exact name (e.g., “Rahim’s Café”).
Choose Category: Select a relevant category (e.g., “Restaurant,” “Clothing Store”) to match customer searches.
Add Location & Contact: Include your Dhaka address (e.g., “House 12, Road 7, Dhanmondi”). Add your phone number and website.
Verify: Google sends a postcard with a code (5–10 days). Some businesses get instant phone/email verification.
Optimize: Add photos (storefront, products), hours, and respond to reviews.

Local Tip: List your exact address for Dhaka-specific searches. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews to boost trust.

Use Social Media for Brand Awareness

With over 47 million social media users in Bangladesh (DataReportal, 2025), platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are essential for reaching Dhaka customers. Social media is no longer optional for businesses in Dhaka—it’s where your customers spend most of their time. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok dominate, and each offers unique ways to build your brand presence.

Your target audience is already scrolling. It’s cost-effective. Even with a small budget (as little as 500–1,000 BDT/day), you can reach thousands of people. It builds brand recall—so when people need your product or service, your name comes first.

Why It Works

Reach: A 500–1,000 BDT/day ad can reach 5,000–10,000 people monthly with precise targeting (e.g., Dhaka residents, aged 25–40).
Cost-Effective: Free organic posts build brand recall; paid ads amplify reach.
Engagement: Stories and videos keep customers connected.

How to Get Started

Create Business Pages: Set up professional pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with a clear logo and cover photo.
Post Consistently: Share 3–5 posts/week (e.g., product photos, customer reviews, or short reels of your shop). Example: A Banani boutique could post, “New Eid collection arriving this week!”
Run Paid Ads: Use Facebook Ads Manager to target Dhaka residents by location, interests, or income. Start with 500 BDT/day and track results via Facebook Insights.
Engage: Reply to comments and messages within minutes. Use Instagram Stories for daily updates.

Local Tip: Dhaka customers love video content. Post 15-second TikTok or Instagram Reels showcasing products or behind-the-scenes moments.

Leverage Messaging Platforms

Dhaka customers prefer instant communication via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Viber. These platforms enable fast sales and support.

People in Dhaka love instant messaging—Messenger, WhatsApp, and Viber are widely used for both personal and business conversations. For SMEs, this is a game-changer for customer support and sales.

Customers expect fast replies—often within minutes. It builds trust and personal connection. Messaging platforms support automated responses and instant payment links.

Why It’s Effective

Builds trust with quick replies (within 5–10 minutes).
Supports product catalogs and payment links (e.g., bKash).
Enables automation for FAQs (e.g., “What are your delivery charges?”).

How to Start

WhatsApp Business: Download the free app, add your logo, hours, and catalog. Set quick replies (e.g., “Thanks for your order! Delivery in 2–3 days”).
Facebook Messenger: Enable “Click-to-Message” ads. Example: “Message us to see our Eid Collection!”
Automation: Use free tools like WhatsApp Business API or Chatfuel for chatbots to handle common queries.

Local Tip: Many Dhaka customers expect cash-on-delivery. Confirm orders via WhatsApp and integrate bKash for payments. Example: A boutique shop in Banani can run a Facebook ad: “Message us to see our Eid Collection!” Within minutes, customers can view your catalog and place an order—all via Messenger or WhatsApp.

Share Your Story to Build Trust

In Dhaka, customers value trust and relationships. Sharing your story makes your business relatable and memorable. In Dhaka, people don’t just buy products—they buy trust and relationships. Sharing your story makes your business relatable and human. Builds emotional connection with your audience. Sets you apart from competitors selling similar products. Increases loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing.

Why It Works

Creates emotional connections (e.g., “We started to empower local artisans”).
Sets you apart from competitors.
Encourages loyalty and word-of-mouth.

How to Share

Tell Your “Why”: Post about your journey. Example: “I’m Ayesha, and I started [Boutique Name] to bring sustainable fashion to Dhaka.”
Show Behind-the-Scenes: Share photos of your team or workspace (e.g., “Our tailors crafting your next kurta!”).
Highlight Customers: With consent, feature stories like, “Meet Rahim, who wore our suit for his wedding!”
Celebrate Milestones: Post about your first 1,000 customers or new store openings.
Be Authentic: Avoid overly polished posts; focus on real stories.

Template Example: “Hi, I’m [Your Name], founder of [Business Name]. We started in [Year] to [Mission, e.g., make healthy meals affordable]. Visit us at [Address] or message us on WhatsApp!”

Overcoming Dhaka-Specific Challenges

Internet Issues: If connectivity is unreliable, use mobile data for posting or managing ads. Tools like Canva (free) work offline for content creation.
Payment Preferences: Since PayPal is limited in Bangladesh, use bKash, Nagad, or bank cards. Clearly state cash-on-delivery options.
Cultural Nuances: Dhaka customers respond to community-focused content. Highlight local events (e.g., Eid, Pohela Boishakh) in posts.

Measuring Success

Track results to ensure your efforts pay off:

Website: Use Google Analytics (free) to monitor traffic and popular pages.
Social Media: Check Facebook/Instagram Insights for reach and engagement.
Google Business Profile: Track inquiries and review growth.
Ads: Aim for 5–10% click-through rates on Facebook ads. Adjust targeting if results are lower.

Your 4-Week Action Plan

Week 1: Set up your Google Business Profile and verify it.
Week 2: Create Facebook and Instagram pages; post 3 times.
Week 3: Launch a 500 BDT/day Facebook ad targeting Dhaka.
Week 4: Build a basic website or hire a freelancer to start.

Digital marketing is about being where your customers are. Start small, stay consistent, and use free tools like Google Analytics to refine your strategy. Your next loyal customer is online right now—make sure they find you.

Digital marketing isn’t expensive or complicated—it’s about being visible where your customers are. For SMEs in Dhaka, taking these first steps—website, Google My Business, social media, messaging, and sharing your story—can help you compete with big brands.

Start small, stay consistent, and your customers will find you.

By Sarah Ahmed, Digital Marketing Consultant with 7+ years of experience helping SMEs in Bangladesh grow online. This article contains no affiliate links; recommendations are based on industry research and local expertise.