Install the Cottlink app for faster access.
Finding a reliable salon, cleaner, plumber or guest house in Kenya still often comes down to asking around on WhatsApp and hoping someone has a number. Cottlink is a local business directory built to make that easier: you search by category and place, open a business profile, and contact the business directly. This guide shows how to use Cottlink to find services near you and how business owners can get listed. Why local search in Kenya is hard Most small businesses in Kenya run on referrals. That works when you already know the right person, but it breaks down when you move to a new estate, travel to another town or need help the same day. Common problems include: Phone numbers passed around in groups with no name, location or hours attached Social media pages that have not been updated in months Businesses that serve your area but never show up when you search online No easy way to compare two or three options side by side A directory organised by category, city and town gives you one place to start, and gives local businesses a simple page that shows what they do and how to reach them. What you can find on Cottlink Cottlink lists businesses across many everyday categories. Some of the most useful for households and visitors are: Beauty and grooming: salons, barber shops and spas and spas and massage Home services: cleaning services, laundry and dry cleaning and plumbing services Places to stay: hotels and lodging, from guest houses to larger hotels Food: restaurants and cafes and catering services Health: health and wellness and dental clinics Professional services: lawyers and advocates, accounting and tax and web design and development Coverage is strongest in Nairobi and growing in towns such as Nakuru. If a category looks thin in your area, check back, as new listings are added regularly. How to find a service provider on Cottlink Step 1: Start with what you need Go to cottlink.com and either search for the service, such as "plumber" or "mama fua", or open a category from the list. Step 2: Narrow it to your area Filter or search by city and town so you see businesses close to you. In Nairobi, searching by neighbourhood, such as Westlands, Kasarani or Embakasi, usually gives more useful results than searching the whole city. Step 3: Open a few profiles Each business profile shows details such as the business name, category, location, description and contact options. Open two or three so you can compare. Step 4: Contact the business directly Use the phone or WhatsApp details on the profile. Cottlink does not sit between you and the business, so you agree on the job, price and timing with them directly. A quick checklist before you hire A directory helps you find options. You still decide who to trust. Before you hire or pay anyone: Confirm the basics. Ask for the exact location, working hours and who will actually come or serve you. Get the price in writing. A WhatsApp message with the agreed price and what it covers avoids arguments later. Ask about past work. Photos, references or repeat customers are a good sign. Be careful with deposits. Avoid paying large amounts upfront to someone you have never met, and confirm the M-Pesa name matches the business or person. Start small. Try a small job first before giving someone a big or regular one. Neighbourhood guides to get you started We have written practical guides for finding services in specific parts of Nairobi: Find Trusted Local Services Near You in Nairobi (Westlands to Eastlands) Find Trusted Local Services in Eastlands Nairobi Find Trusted Local Services in Langata How to Find a Trusted Plumber Near You in Kenya How to Choose Reliable Home Cleaning Services in Nairobi For business owners: why list on Cottlink If customers cannot find you online, they will find someone else. A Cottlink profile gives your business a page of its own with your services, location and contact details, so people searching your category and area can reach you directly. Be found by category