Digital Marketing in Kenya: Why We’re Still Bargaining Over Value

Let’s talk about something frustrating.

I pitched SEO services to a Kenyan business.
Explained how if someone searches for their product or service, they could appear on Google, get traffic, and grow their business.

Their first reaction?

“Eh, hiyo bei iko juu… unaweza reduce kidogo?”

Five thousand shillings.
And we’re already in the tupunguzie zone.

Now here’s the twist.

I pitched the exact same thing — same words, same process — to a Muzungu client.
Not once did they ask, “Why does it cost that much?”
They didn’t even blink. Because they understand one thing Kenyan businesses are still struggling with:

Digital marketing is not an expense. It’s growth fuel.

I have a rule in my agency:
I don’t negotiate on price. I negotiate on service.
You want a value add? I’ll throw in an extra post, a report, or some analytics.
But I won’t lower the cost. Ever.

Why? Because once you start devaluing your work, clients start devaluing you.

Digital marketing is not just about logos and pretty captions.
It’s about visibility, trust, and conversions.
If you don’t see that — you’re not ready for the game.
And the clients who get it? They’re already playing internationally.

Dear Kenyan businesses:
If you keep asking for 3K work, you’ll keep getting 300-shilling results.

#DigitalMarketingKenya #ValueVsCost #KnowYourWorth #ElvisW #SEOInKenya #MarketingMaturity #MuzunguPerception #WorkSmartAfrica #StopBargainingStartGrowing

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