List Your Tailoring Business in Nairobi

Tailors and dressmakers are everywhere in Nairobi, from small stalls in Gikomba and Eastleigh to studios in Kilimani, Westlands and Buruburu. Most get their work through word of mouth: a satisfied client tells a friend, who tells a cousin. That still works, but more people now search online before they hand over fabric, especially for a wedding outfit, a school uniform order or a suit that has to fit. If your business is not easy to find and easy to trust, those clients go to whoever shows up first. This guide explains how to list your tailoring or dressmaking business on Cottlink, what to include, and how to turn a profile into real orders.

Why list your tailoring business online?

A WhatsApp status reaches people who already have your number. A directory profile reaches people who do not. When someone searches for a tailor in their area, they want to see three things quickly: what you make, where you are, and how to reach you. A clear profile answers all three before they even message you.

It also saves you time. Instead of sending the same photos and explaining your services again and again, you can share one link that shows your work, location and contact details. If you are new to listing online, our guide on listing a small business online in Kenya beyond WhatsApp covers the basics.

What to include in your profile

A clear business name and category

Use the name clients already know you by, and choose the category that matches what you do most. If you mainly do alterations and repairs, say so. If you specialise in kitenge, bridal gowns, suits or uniforms, put that in the description so searchers know immediately.

Your services, written plainly

List the work you actually take on. For example:

Custom dresses, suits and shirts made to measure
Kitenge and African print outfits
Bridal, bridesmaid and occasion wear
School and corporate uniforms in bulk
Alterations: hemming, taking in, letting out, zips and buttons
Curtains, cushion covers and other home textiles

Only list what you can deliver well. A shorter, honest list builds more trust than a long one you cannot keep up with.

Location and opening hours

Add your town, estate and a map pin. Many tailors work from a building or market where the stall is hard to find, so a short direction note helps, such as the floor, the stall number or a nearby landmark. Add your opening days and hours, and say whether you take fittings by appointment.

Contact details that work

Add a phone number you actually answer and a WhatsApp number. Clients often send a photo of a style they like and ask whether you can make it, so WhatsApp is usually the fastest way to turn interest into an order.

Photos that build trust

For a tailor, photos are the whole sales pitch. A client cannot judge your stitching from a description, but they can from a good picture.

Finished garments on a person or mannequin. Clothes look better worn than lying flat.
Close-ups of detail. Show seams, hems, linings, collars and zips. Neat finishing is what separates a good tailor from an average one.
Before and after alterations. A trouser that was too long, or a dress taken in to fit, shows exactly what you can fix.
Your workspace. A tidy table, a working machine and organised fabric reassure clients that their material is in safe hands.

Take photos in daylight near a window, keep the background plain, and only post work you made yourself. Ask clients for permission before you post photos of them. Update your photos every few months so the profile shows what you are doing now. Our guide on updating your Cottlink profile for visibility has more tips.

Be clear about pricing and timelines

Clients worry about two things with tailors: cost and delivery dates. You do not have to publish a full price list, but you should explain how pricing works.

Say whether the client brings fabric or whether you can source it.
Explain whether you charge a deposit before cutting fabric, and how payment works, including M-Pesa.
Give an honest typical turnaround for simple alterations and for full custom pieces, and say whether rush orders are possible.
Explain how many fittings are included for made-to-measure work.

Never promise a date you cannot meet. A missed wedding or graduation deadline does more damage to your reputation than any review can fix. If you are busy, say so and give a realistic date.

Handle measurements and fittings professionally

Good measurement is where repeat clients come from. Keep a simple record of each client's measurements, in a notebook or on your phone, so they do not have to be measured from scratch every time. Ask clients how they like their clothes to fit, loose or fitted, and note it. For clients who cannot come in, explain clearly how to take measurements at home or offer to measure from a garment that already fits them well.

Collect reviews and repeat orders

After you deliver a piece the client is happy with, ask them to leave a short review on your Cottlink profile. Reviews that mention a specific garment, such as a wedding dress, a suit or a uniform order, help future clients picture what you can do. Reply politely to every review, including the critical ones. A calm reply that explains how you fixed a problem often wins more trust than a perfect rating.

Many tailors also work alongside other wedding and events businesses. If you make bridal wear, it helps to understand how makeup artists present themselves too; see our guide to listing a bridal makeup business in Nairobi.

Quick checklist before you publish

Business name, category and a short description of your speciality.
A clear list of the services you actually offer.
Town, estate, map pin and a short direction note.
Opening hours and whether fittings need an appointment.
A phone number you answer and a WhatsApp number.
At least five recent photos of your own work, including close-ups.
How pricing, deposits and turnaround times work.

List or claim your tailoring business on Cottlink

Ready to get found? List your tailoring or dressmaking business on Cottlink in a few minutes. If your shop is already on the site, claim your business so you can update the details and photos yourself. You can compare the listing options on the Cottlink pricing page. Need help setting up your profile? Email cottlink.tech@gmail.com or call 0704625414.