By Opterflow Launch · Updated 10 November 2026 · 4 min read
A price needs to make sense to a buyer and leave enough money for the work involved. Begin with the cost of delivering your offer, then test the buyer's willingness to purchase. A calculation helps expose your assumptions; customer conversations help test them.
The examples below are illustrative arithmetic, not market prices or a recommendation for what your business should charge. The free pricing calculator lets you enter your own figures in Ghana cedis.
Separate per-order costs from overhead
Variable costs change with each order. They can include materials, packaging, delivery you pay for, direct labour and payment charges. For a service, include direct travel and subcontracting. Treat your own working time explicitly, even if you are not paying yourself immediately.
Fixed overhead can include items such as recurring rent, software or equipment costs that apply across several orders. The classification depends on how your business operates. Write down the assumptions instead of hiding them inside one unexplained number.
Calculate contribution per order
Contribution per order is the selling price minus the variable costs of fulfilling that order. It is the amount available towards fixed overhead, owner compensation and other business costs.
Illustrative example: Price GH₵100 minus GH₵60 in variable costs gives GH₵40 contribution per order. Ten such orders give GH₵400 contribution before fixed overhead and other costs.
Do not describe that GH₵40 as net profit. If the business has other costs, they still need to be covered. If contribution is negative, each additional order on those assumptions uses more money than it brings in before fixed costs.
Understand margin and markup
These two percentages answer different questions. In the same example, GH₵40 contribution divided by the GH₵100 selling price gives a contribution margin of 40%. GH₵40 divided by the GH₵60 variable cost gives a markup on that cost of about 66.7%.
A statement such as “add 40%” is incomplete until you specify the base. Write down whether you mean a percentage of cost or of selling price. Check the final selling price and contribution directly so the terms cannot obscure the actual result.
Work out how many orders cover fixed costs
When contribution is positive, divide the fixed costs for a period by contribution per order. Round up to a whole order. For example, GH₵400 of fixed costs divided by GH₵40 contribution means ten orders are needed to cover those stated fixed costs.
This is a simplified break-even calculation. It assumes the same price and variable costs for every order in the period. It also assumes your cost list is complete. Different product mixes, refunds, unpaid balances and capacity limits can change the result.
Check the buyer's alternative
Speak with prospective buyers about the last time they bought something similar. What did they receive? What mattered when choosing a seller? What alternatives did they consider? Compare the scope, quality, convenience and delivery terms as well as the number on the price tag.
Another seller's price is a useful observation, but it does not reveal that seller's costs or business result. Use it as part of your research rather than copying it without understanding your own offer.
Quote a complete, clear offer
Explain what is included, the total price, any separately stated delivery charges, timing and payment terms. For work that changes with scope, show the assumptions and explain how additional work is agreed.
Check the current tax and other requirements that apply to your activity using the Ghana Revenue Authority's official guidance and appropriate professional advice where needed. This calculator does not determine tax treatment or add tax automatically.
Review the price using real orders
After delivering an order, compare estimated costs with actual costs and time. Record whether the buyer paid, whether there was a refund and whether the work took longer than expected. Update your next quote using that evidence.
If buyers repeatedly decline, investigate the reason. Price can be one factor alongside relevance, urgency, trust, timing and the clarity of the offer. The first-customer exercise gives you a way to record those conversations.
Start with your current figures in the pricing calculator, then get a starter plan and request early access to Opterflow Launch.