In field sales, clients will almost always compare you to someone else. They might say: "Another freelancer offered me a website for βΉ5,000," or "Why is your Google 360 Tour more expensive than traditional newspaper ads?"
To win these deals without lowering your price, you need to compare services clearly and negotiate professionally. In this lesson, you will learn:
If you don't know how to explain why your service is better, the client will only see the price tag. Using comparative language lets you shift the conversation from cost to value and ROI. Source: British Council Grammar Guide β Comparatives & Superlatives
Let's check your long-term memory from Lessons 4, 5, and 6. Try to answer without looking back.
Say the V2 (Simple Past) and V3 (Past Participle) forms out loud:
Choose the correct sentence to tell a client about your past work experience:
When comparing two things (your service vs a competitor), we use Comparatives. When comparing one thing against all others in a group, we use Superlatives.
Rule: Add -er for comparative, add -est for superlative.
| Base Word | Comparative (+ er + than) | Superlative (the + est) | Sales Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| cheap | cheaper than | the cheapest | "Our hosting is cheaper than local competitors." |
| fast | faster than | the fastest | "Our websites load faster than template sites." |
| high | higher than | the highest | "Google 360 gives you higher visibility." |
| easy | easier than | the easiest | "Managing your GMB profile is easier than you think." |
Rule: Use more + adjective + than for comparative, use the most + adjective for superlative. Do NOT add -er or -est to long words!
| Base Word | Comparative (more + than) | Superlative (the most +) | Sales Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| expensive | more expensive than | the most expensive | "Custom websites are more expensive than simple templates." |
| effective | more effective than | the most effective | "SEO is more effective than paper flyers." |
| reliable | more reliable than | the most reliable | "Our servers are more reliable than cheap hosting." |
| professional | more professional than | the most professional | "A custom domain looks more professional." |
| Base Word | Comparative | Superlative | Sales Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| good | better than | the best | "Our website ranking is better than before." |
| bad | worse than | the worst | "A missing Google profile is worse than having no website." |
When two things are equal in quality or price, use as... as. In negative form, not as... as means one is less than the other.
Positive: Our packages are as affordable as freelancer prices.
Negative: A basic flyer is not as effective as Google Business Profile.
Many Indian English speakers accidentally double the comparative. Never combine more with -er or best!
Here are 10 essential words for comparing services and negotiating deal terms with clients:
Comparable /kΙm-PE-rΙ-bΙl/ | Adjective
Meaning: Similar in size, quality, or value; able to be compared fairly.
Synonyms: Equivalent, similar, matching | Antonyms: Incomparable, unequal
Sales Example: "Our features are fully comparable to top agency packages, but at half the price."
Affordable /Ι-FOR-dΙ-bΙl/ | Adjective
Meaning: Reasonably priced; easy for the client to pay for.
Synonyms: Budget-friendly, economical, reasonably priced | Antonyms: Expensive, overpriced
Sales Example: "We designed this starter plan to be affordable for small restaurant owners."
Customized /KUS-tΙ-maizd/ | Adjective
Meaning: Built specifically to fit one client's exact requirements (not a generic template).
Synonyms: Tailored, personalized, bespoke | Antonyms: Standard, generic, templated
Sales Example: "We do not use cheap templates; every website we build is 100% customized."
ROI (Return on Investment) /AR-OH-AI/ | Noun
Meaning: The financial profit or business value gained relative to the money spent.
Synonyms: Returns, yield, profit margin | Antonyms: Financial loss, deficit
Sales Example: "A βΉ15,000 investment in Google 360 Tour gives you a 300% ROI within three months."
Competitor /kΙm-PE-tΙ-tΙr/ | Noun
Meaning: Another company offering similar products or services in the same market.
Synonyms: Rival, opponent, market rival | Antonyms: Partner, ally, collaborator
Sales Example: "Your competitors are already ranking on Google Maps β you need to catch up."
Premium /PREE-mee-Ιm/ | Adjective / Noun
Meaning: High quality, superior grade, or top-tier service.
Synonyms: High-end, top-quality, deluxe | Antonyms: Low-grade, basic, cheap
Sales Example: "Our premium package includes 360 Virtual Tour, SEO, and fast cloud hosting."
Guarantee /gai-rΙn-TEE/ | Verb / Noun
Meaning: A formal promise that a service will perform well or deliver specific results.
Synonyms: Assurance, pledge, promise | Antonyms: Uncertainty, risk
Sales Example: "We guarantee that your Google Business Profile will be verified within 7 days."
Flexible /FLEK-sΙ-bΙl/ | Adjective
Meaning: Able to change or adjust easily to meet client needs or budget constraints.
Synonyms: Adaptable, customizable, adjustable | Antonyms: Rigid, strict, unyielding
Sales Example: "We offer flexible payment plans so you can pay in two easy installments."
Value-added /VAL-yoo AD-id/ | Adjective
Meaning: Extra features or benefits included to give extra worth beyond the core price.
Synonyms: Bonus, extra-value, enhanced | Antonyms: Stripped-down, basic
Sales Example: "As a value-added benefit, we will optimize your WhatsApp Business profile for free."
Transparent /trΓ¦ns-PAIR-Ιnt/ | Adjective
Meaning: Clear and honest, with no hidden costs or secret terms.
Synonyms: Clear, honest, straightforward | Antonyms: Hidden, deceptive, unclear
Sales Example: "Our pricing is completely transparent β no hidden renewal fees next year."
When a client says "Your price is higher than others," do not lower your price immediately. Use these two formulas to defend your value and negotiate professionally.
Structure your response in 3 steps to reframe price into value:
When negotiating, use polite conditional phrases instead of flat refusal or desperate discounting:
Read this conversation between Altamash and a Restaurant Owner (Mr. Sharma). Read it out loud twice!
Mr. Sharma: "Altamash, your quotation for Website + GMB + 360 Virtual Tour is βΉ18,000. Another local designer offered me a website for just βΉ6,000. Your price is much more expensive!"
Altamash: "I completely understand your concern, Mr. Sharma. On paper, βΉ6,000 sounds more affordable. But let me clarify why our solution is much more effective for your restaurant."
Mr. Sharma: "What makes your offer better than theirs?"
Altamash: "First, cheap websites use basic templates that are not as fast as custom-coded sites. Second, we include a Google 360 Virtual Tour. Restaurants with 360 tours get higher engagement and more direct table bookings on Google Maps. We have already created virtual tours for 15 restaurants in Delhi, and all of them have seen a greater ROI."
Mr. Sharma: "I see. But βΉ18,000 at once is difficult for my budget right now."
Altamash: "We want to make this easy for you. We can offer a flexible payment structure: 50% to start today, and 50% after the website goes live. Furthermore, if you confirm today, I will add free monthly GMB post updates as a value-added service. Our pricing is 100% transparent with zero hidden fees."
Mr. Sharma: "That sounds reasonable and much more reliable. Let's start with the 50% advance."
Which sentence correctly compares two website packages?
How do you tell a client your speed is equal to big agencies?
A client asks for clear pricing without secret charges. You say:
Say these 3 comparative pitch sentences out loud 3 times each:
Write 3 short WhatsApp responses to client price objections using today's vocabulary and formulas:
Primary Recommended Resource: Read the British Council Comparatives & Superlatives Reference Guide for additional exercises.
If anything in this lesson is unclear or you want to practice your comparative pitches, ask your teacher (me) right now!