Raising your prices as a small business can feel scary. We often carry the weight of wanting to serve our clients well while also needing to make a living. But here’s the truth: pricing is not just about numbers. It’s about sustainability, valuing your craft, and creating a business that lasts. It’s much more than a number.
Why Raising Your Prices Matters, A LOT.
Your business evolves: As you grow, your skills, experience, and results improve. Your prices should reflect that. We’ve all heard that before, no doubt, so let’s take this a bit further. We want to be as approachable and attainable to as many people as possible and we know that as someone who’s “new” to any industry, we need to price ourselves accordingly. We’re scared to compete with the top professionals or feel like because our experience is lacking, our price should be lower. That’s completely fair. Let’s normalize this. Anyone starting out will more than likely start on the lower end of the market and thats ok. But as your business grows, you’ll find that this just isn’t sustainable, which leads us to the next point.
Sustainability: Staying at the same rate for too long leads to burnout. Your business won’t thrive if you’re stretched thin. As you grow, so will your responsibilities and then that will naturally lead to less time doing the things you did when you started out. In order to just stay afloat, you’ll find yourself needing to raise your prices in order to continue to serve the same clients, I promise you. The smart thing is to stay ahead of that. As you anticipate growth, plan for new launches or offerings, raise your prices then so that you’re able to be proactive rather than reactive and overwhelmed.
Fair exchange: When clients invest at a higher price point, they tend to show up more committed. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received from another entrepreneur was this: “expect the same level of investment from others that you have in yourself.”
That tracks in two ways. First, when you raise your prices, be prepared to also invest in your own business – whether that’s outsourcing, hiring help, or paying for tools that allow you to grow. Second, when your pricing reflects that level of commitment, you’ll naturally begin attracting clients who are just as invested in the process as you are.
Don’t Wait Too Long…Signs It’s Time To Start Raising Your Prices
It’s not always easy to know when the moment is right to raise your prices. Sometimes it creeps up slowly – you’re booked solid, your inbox is overflowing, and yet your income hasn’t shifted. Other times, it’s a quiet realization that the energy and value you’re pouring into your work no longer match what you’re being paid. If you’re unsure whether it’s time, here are a few signs that can guide you toward that next step.
Here are those small shifts to look out for:
- You’re fully booked and turning people away (congrats, by the way!)
- You’re working long hours but not seeing your income grow or your time freeing up anytime soon.
- You’ve invested in more training, tools, or education that improves your service.
- Your prices haven’t changed in over a year, even though costs have.
- You’re wanting to free up some time to do bigger and more impactful things in your business.
For me, the realization that it was time to raise my prices didn’t come all at once – it came in little moments. The late nights finishing projects, the excitement of being fully booked mixed with the frustration of knowing my income wasn’t keeping pace. I started to see that the effort, care, and expertise I was bringing to each client weren’t truly reflected in what I was charging. I also knew I wouldn’t be able to sustain the same level or care or attention if I wanted to do other things in my business.
Assuming You’re In This Spot, How Do You Introduce a Price Increase Gracefully
In short, honestly. Raising your prices isn’t something you should be shy about or try to just sneak in without anyone noticing. Be fair and honest and let your subscribers know that an increase will be happening and here’s why… A few practical tips on how to be graceful with it.
Give advance notice: Announce your price increase before it takes effect. This gives existing clients time to book at your current rate.
Keep it simple: You don’t need a lengthy explanation. A clear, kind message is enough.
Frame it positively: Instead of apologizing, explain that your prices are evolving alongside the value you bring.
Reward loyalty: Some businesses “grandfather in” their most loyal clients at their current rate for a set time.
Our Own Upcoming Price Increase
At The Good Canvas, we believe in practicing what we share here. That’s why we want to be upfront about our own upcoming price changes. As my business grows so does my staffing needs, expertise and access to the very best in branding and web design. Starting at the end of September, our branding packages will increase from $895 to $995, and our custom web design projects will begin at $8,000 (up from $7,000).
This shift reflects the deeper strategy, design time, and personal guidance we pour into every project. Over the years, we’ve grown not only in skill but in the way we partner with each client – building websites and brands that feel like true extensions of their business.
If you’ve been thinking about working with us, now is the time to book at our current rates. We’d love to help you step into your next chapter with a brand or website that’s as intentional and inspiring as the business behind it.
Next Steps
Ready to transform your online presence with a beautifully designed website? Contact us today to discuss how we can help you create a unique website that attracts potential clients and showcases your exceptional service.
Feel free to visit our FAQ section or set up a free discovery call when you can ask all the questions you’d like!
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ABOUT THIS POST
This post is written by Donata Delano – A Web Designer, Professional Artist and Architect based in Burlington, Canada. She specializing in visual communication and web design, creating branding solutions and websites that are thoughtful, unique and aesthetically pleasing.
