Pricing your services isn’t just about picking a number. It’s about showing your value, attracting serious clients, and making your work sustainable.
For many freelancers in Kenya, this is one of the hardest parts of the job. Set it too low, and you burn out. Too high, and you risk scaring away potential clients.
Here’s how to price services as a freelancer in Kenya the smart way.
Before setting prices, know your numbers:
Divide your total costs by the number of billable hours you can work per month. This gives you a baseline hourly rate.
Why it matters: You can’t grow if your prices don’t even cover your costs. Pricing based on feelings leads to stress. Pricing based on data builds freedom.
Yes, it’s smart to research what other freelancers charge especially those in Kenya.
But don’t simply copy their prices. Consider:
Why it matters: Two freelancers can offer the same service but deliver wildly different results. Set a rate that reflects the transformation you offer, not just the task.
Charging per hour can limit your income. Instead, try packaging your services. For example:
Why it matters: Packages help clients understand exactly what they’re getting. It shifts the focus from time to value and makes your income more predictable.
Offer 2 or 3 service tiers:
Why it matters: Tiered pricing helps clients self-select based on value. It also gives you an upsell path for those who want more.
If you only list one price, clients have no context.
But if you show three price points, the middle option often feels like the best deal.
Example:
Why it matters: People are more likely to choose the mid-tier when they see higher and lower options. This is a psychological pricing principle known as "anchoring."
Your pricing isn’t permanent.
If you’re fully booked with little resistance, you may be undercharging. If you’re getting no traction, test a lower intro offer or tweak your packaging.
Why it matters: Pricing isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying flexible, observing results, and finding your sweet spot.
Clients pay more when you look like a real business.
With Gebeya Jitume, you can:
Why it matters: A professional presentation builds trust and reduces price objections. It tells clients, "I'm worth it."
The right price does more than pay the bills. It filters the right clients, sets the tone, and supports long-term growth.
Get started with Gebeya Jitume today!
Gebeya is an innovative platform technology company focused on empowering African freelancers, consultants, and SMEs by providing digital tools that streamline communication, collaboration, and trade, Gebeya helps businesses and professionals across the continent scale and succeed in the digital economy.
Gebeya Jitume is an easy-to-use platform designed for solopreneurs, freelancers, and small service businesses. It helps you create a professional mini website, set up booking systems, manage client communication (including WhatsApp), and organize your services all without needing technical skills.
Gebeya Jitume gives small businesses a trusted online presence, helps automate client bookings, integrates with WhatsApp for easier messaging, and improves how businesses present themselves professionally all critical factors for attracting and retaining more clients in Kenya.
Yes. Gebeya Jitume is built to work perfectly alongside your WhatsApp account. Clients can message you directly from your mini website, and you can manage conversations quickly, helping you close more deals and build stronger client relationships.
No. Gebeya Jitume is designed for non-techies as well. Whether you're a coach, designer, consultant, photographer, beautician, development professional, or service provider, you can set up your professional profile, booking system, and client messaging flow in minutes without needing technical knowledge.
Gebeya Jitume lets you create a polished service profile where you can display your pricing, services, and client testimonials. By offering an easy booking system and integrating WhatsApp for quick communication, you present yourself as a professional business, which helps reduce price objections.
Project-based pricing is often better than hourly because it shifts the focus from time spent to the value delivered. This also helps make your income more predictable. For example, package your services for clarity, like social media content creation or virtual assistant support, instead of charging per hour.
The best way to price freelance services in Kenya is by considering your costs, time, and the value you offer. Use a combination of tiered pricing and service packages to ensure clients get clarity, while also helping you maintain a profitable rate.
To set your freelance pricing in a competitive market like Kenya, you should research the market, understand your own costs, and find the value you provide. Use anchoring by offering multiple price tiers, and ensure you test, learn, and adjust as your business grows.
