Competitor price comparison sheet

What the competitor price comparison sheet does

Pricing in the dark is risky. List your products with your price and the prices of up to three competitors, and the sheet works out the average competitor price, the difference as a percentage and whether you are higher, lower or in line, so you can adjust where you are out of step.

Who it is for

Shop owners, online sellers and service providers reviewing their prices, and anyone entering a new market.

How to use the workbook

1. List each product or service and your current price.
2. Enter the prices you found at up to three competitors.
3. Read the average competitor price and the difference.
4. Decide where to hold, raise or lower your prices.
5. Save a copy under a new name for each month or year, so earlier records stay as they were.

What is inside

• Your price and three competitor prices side by side
• Average competitor price
• Difference as a percentage
• Higher, lower or in line verdict
• Count of products in each position

The workbook has these sheets: Instructions, Prices. The main table has the columns Product or service; Your price; Competitor 1; Competitor 2; Competitor 3; Average competitor; Difference %; Position. Yellow cells are for you to fill in and grey cells calculate by themselves, so leave the grey cells alone. The example rows show how it works; type over them with your own entries.

Tips for getting it right

• Compare like with like: same size, quality and service.
• Note the date you checked, since prices change.
• Being cheaper is not always better; check your margin first.
• Revisit the sheet every quarter.

Why keep this record

Running a business on memory works until it grows. Writing the numbers down turns opinions into facts you can compare month to month, and shows early which products, customers or costs deserve attention. Even a simple workbook, used every week, usually beats a sophisticated one that is opened once a year.

Questions people ask

Do I need to know Excel formulas? No. Type into the yellow cells and the rest is worked out for you. The formulas are visible if you want to see how a figure is reached.

Can I add rows or change the layout? You can add your own columns to the right and your own notes. If you insert rows inside a table, copy the grey formula cells down so the new rows calculate too.

Will it work on my phone or in Google Sheets? Yes for viewing and typing, but dropdown lists and the charts look best in desktop Excel or LibreOffice.

Keeping it safe and up to date

A plan is only as good as the numbers you put in. Start with honest estimates, update the workbook as real figures arrive, and compare the two so your next estimate is better. Save a dated copy each month so you can see how your thinking changed.

Read how to build a cash flow forecast for the wider picture. See more business templates or ask us for a custom one.

The workbook works in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets. It is a tool to help you work out and record figures, not tax, legal or accounting advice, and it is not affiliated with the Kenya Revenue Authority. If something does not work as described, contact us and we will put it right.

Related guides, calculators and templates

• Guide: How to build a 12-month cash flow forecast for a small business
• Guide: How to price your products and services: markup, margin and break-even
• Guide: Turnover tax for small businesses in Kenya: rate, limits and when to use it
• Another template: 12-month cash flow forecast
• Another template: Break-even and pricing calculator
• Another template: Budget versus actual tracker

Need something different? Request a custom template, browse all guides or see every Excel template.