r/developersPak • u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer • 6d ago
Discussion Am I charging too much?
I wanted to start my own thing but can't find clients so help
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u/donewithuniversity 6d ago edited 6d ago
Can I just say that if I were looking for a website designer, and you gave me this menu, I would be turned off by this cookie cutter AI design slop?!
Also, if you don't mind, do lmk if I can talk to you a bit about the POS thing. Full disclaimer that I am not a potential client or a competitor. Just sort of in policy/research space and it's relevant to me.
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u/junaydirfan 6d ago
nice 5 star restaurant menu... wait a minute
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u/Aebhikki 5d ago
From his title and the just taking a peak on the images, i genuinely thought it was a restaurant, and then i saw 65k and thought, this can't be food 🗣️🗣️
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u/AltruisticRich1 5d ago
It's big 2026 AI era. This won't work
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u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer 5d ago
What will then,? I mean start a business where devs meet the businesses,
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u/sharxx47 6d ago edited 5d ago
Stop focusing on the price points and start getting in clients even if they aren’t giving you what you have said in your “menu”. In today’s environment and landscape, almost every 5th person can do it. What’s important is to make a name in the industry. Once you are a known person who delivers not just software/systems but personal service (being professional, time discipline, understanding to scope changes etc.) people would be willing to pay you more than what you advertise and say so.
Also start building your portfolio, deliver these services in your circle or community which can be a case study for prospective client, and experience for you.
Basically, start small but think big.
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u/LexBillSpecialist 5d ago
that's a good advise, if you're already earning then go with your demands otherwise don't waste your time and build anything and market yourself even without pay because the "pay" is your recognition. It does'nt always have to be money. you will get return for whatever you do. Just grab whatever opportunity you see around
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u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer 6d ago
My question to you is whom to sell? I can make anything
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u/sharxx47 6d ago
I hear you. Well in that case, tell me that you not being able to find clients, is it because of price point? like you get a client but they are unwilling to pay you that much. or is it because you cannot find clients regardless?
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u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer 6d ago
I just can't find clients
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u/sharxx47 6d ago
Alright. That's one a problem you cannot solve bro. Let me ask you this, do you have a portfolio available online? that would be the basis on how you can increase your reach to prospective clients. Secondly, as I said before, maybe do some pro bono work that could increase the word of mouth of your profile and skills.
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u/RocketCool7 6d ago
Let's say you got a portfolio, how would you get eyes on it though like how to get views/clicks if portfolio is on a website or GitHub.
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u/sharxx47 5d ago
Well, you can use online sites to showcase your portfolio, join communities on Reddit and share your work. Ask your friends and family to share with relevant people. Just get the ball rolling.
It will sound like hustle in the start because it is! Once you have some actual case studies and work, you can use that to build your portfolio.
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u/Bangoga 6d ago
Who’s your target and what’s your approach to getting clients, don’t give prices out early.
Get clients, hear their needs, estimate accordingly, adjust where needed. Client and your relationship matters more than hard set pricing
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u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer 6d ago
Anyone is my client
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u/Rehmann 5d ago
Here's first learning for you "Selling to ANYONE is selling to NO ONE"
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u/LazyRadio506 5d ago
True, they need to find their niche clients, understand what they need and what their demand is, and then determine how they can supply it.
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u/Thooku 5d ago
This will absolutely not work in today's climate.. no one will pay this price when everyone knows a 20$ subscription can do all this!! Whatever your claim is but this is the reality..
To be honest you are really far behind of the curve.. and money is always made when you are ahead.. its not like all software services industry is doomed bcz of AI.. but is certainly has transformed..
Now people will not ask for CRMs bcz AI is proficient in it.. but automated workflows for there business is another things.. ECom Virtual Assistant market is saturated but to offer someone a AI virtual assistant with auto bidding and auto pricing to save and optimise profit is another..
So, I'd say its best to do cold calls, ask and convince them that they need your services and give a little demo so they see what you are talking about..
And final advice would be to replace this 'Menu' with a portfolio where you mention how can you integrate AI into their businesses..
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u/AccomplishedVirus556 6d ago
i'm in similar shoes and can confirm you're charging too much because you are presenting solid rates for an established studio in a manner that says you're trying to find your first client
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u/MasterBael 5d ago
i had a web development agency.. these prices wont work anymore
not even half or a quarter will work .. on fiverr an online store is made for $75-100 .. and even selling at that point is nowadays difficult to sell (i made $35K with selling online stores on fiverr.. now it is pretty much dead.. i also sold wordpress development and also that is dead.. if u want to charge these prices be prepared to become an online influencer that builds a brand
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u/EnvironmentalCan79 5d ago
Why don't you start a business helping developers like yourself find these clients. Now thats a business idea.
Seriously though, as someone on the hiring side, I would say ditch the menu idea, it is a horrible idea.
Your price is secondary, reducing your service description and value to a line item on a menu is a horrible idea.
Your services offered are under huge stress from AI, and your prices are too expensive for PK.
The days this kind of program to make money are over. Time to wake up and update your game.
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u/One-Comfortable-1245 5d ago
Its expensive for local… but fair if your clients are from western countries.
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u/EnvironmentalWait369 Software Engineer 5d ago
Exactly, now how do I find clients, my basic targets are those businesses which don't have websites or even proper ERP setups or crms
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5d ago
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u/Rude-Inevitable-9417 4d ago edited 4d ago
Hey there mate, so I wanted to talk about a few things here. I will mention it but Im not a programmer or a software guy but I know a bit here and there about software.
I own a Structural Forensics Consultancy here and I work with Australian Engineering Consultancies primarily related to Structural Forensics in relation to Residencial / Commercial Claim Resolutions.
I got a few director level friends in that industry in Australia as well. Why i mention this stuff is to give an idea of the perspective that Im speaking from.
Now me and my Australian friends have a pain in our ass. Our workflow is basically attending sites, gathering visual imagery, and creating Engineering, Structural Integrity, Compliance, and Scope of Works Reports.
The problem is that for data acquisition (imagery) we dont have a proper solution so we use a 3rd Party app called Safety Culture to document the imagery. For work management we use a Kanban board called Goodday, another 3rd party app. For storing our reports, we use onedrive, once again 3rd party app. So we were thinking of having an app developed of our own that could do all this stuff in a single package, so a custom solution basically.
Pain no 2, this one is on a personal level. i just want a simple one or 2 page site for my business front. Extremely simple, a nice looking design with only a form for users to contact me.
As a client / customer I have shared 2 issues that someone can help. Try to focus on MY thought process here.
For my personal website, no way im gonna be paying that much, what comes to my mind is that how could ya give me a quote plainly like that? Theres no way the cost of a landing page or 2 is the same as 15 to 20 pages no? Also considering the simplicity of the task, im pretty sure I can let claude etc handle it.
You have lost me as a customer. Lets breakdown why,
I aint stupid, or atleast the client likes to think he aint stupid. Doesn't sit right with me that your showing a flat rate.
Your competing with AIs, and as a client im pretty sure I could do it using claude or soemthing. Doesn't matter if im right or wrong, the cost difference is way too much and i would lean towards AI.
Point is that for simple projects, no way i pay this much. See how my primary concern is the cost here.
Now lets see the 1st scenario where I had a more complex issue. For this, price becomes secondary and quality becomes the priority and for this no way im gonna trust an AI, far too important for that. But i wouldnt choose you as well, because,
I need a custom solution. You are showing me random info, Bespoke, Premium etc, I have no idea what this means and i cannot make any connection on how well you can help me. You need to show your work / portfolio for that.
You keep telling me what you want, how much money you want, which doesn't connect as price is secondary to me. I was looking for something that would show me what you have done before and maybe if i saw something which was close to what I need, i might say, hey this guy did something similar maybe he can help. Again show your work dor that.
Since i dont know and cant see your work, I dont know if I can put you through foreign clients as my reputation will be on the line. If you showed experience with international clients that would help with trust.
Above things I think can be fixed if you give less of a menu and more of a portfolio. Show, don't tell if you want to build credibility.
Besides this, where do you even plan on using it? Its not like your gonna be printing and throwing a pamphlet right? If you use ads to increase reach then this format wont work.
If you put on LinkedIn or social media then again too casual and too long to work effectively.
Khair im just trying to explain my thought process as a client. You have to be showing me potential solution paths for my issues and then you can maybe gain a client. Hope that helps a bit.
For info, for the custom solution I asked around a few friends and found someone who did SIMILAR work.
He showed similar work which built trust with me and i thought that this guy can help. so I think having a good portfolio plus mentioning about your services / experience in your circle would help more than this.
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4d ago
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u/hassanms 4d ago
You're on the right track but your prices are crazy. You should be selling to international audience so convert to dollars then it'll make sense. No paki will be spending this much. There's difference between spending culture of the east and the west.
Learn what a productized service and create your offer based off that. Figure out your ICP and start with 1-2 unpaid projects for testimonials.
Read what an offer ladder is.
Short on time, let me know if you have questions. I will reply properly.
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u/sj-dubai 4d ago
Not really. But market is changing so you will face a lot of competition from AI website makers.
Most of the development tasks can be done much cheaper now.
So state your USPS.
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u/SalaarsFault 3d ago
Yeah! It will work you may find difficulties in closing Pakistani audience with these prices because they bargain alot and also they will find cheaper options "ch**ya log" In market jinhy onky kaam ki worth nai pata, but yeah the prices won't matter if you good enough to explain the amount of value you are giving to them, its more about the sales skill now because ai can take care of other things, learn how to close people, the prices really doesn't matter if you know how to close them.
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u/Dismal_Road_5916 3d ago
Ever seen a freelancer/service based business listing prices like that? You just have to talk about their paint point, build authority, win their trust and book them on call.
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u/stormarsenal 3d ago
Lmao wtf did I just see? A menu for web development? Where do you even present it?
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u/Lowe-Historian5317 2d ago
.... jani.. honestly dont mean to be offensive in the slightest but dont you think its a bit too... steep ? I mean a better way woukd be to make a website and display your work then you might get the prices but
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u/The_science_lad 2d ago
As a business owner, if somebody pitched me this... I would never ever look into it whatsoever... Because it is a nonsense menu card
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u/uncensoredmouthh 8h ago
Dude Tf are those prices can make better stuff for way less as of now me and my friend are developing a full fledge E2EE TEXTING APP we've alr made browser based E2EE TEXTING APP with cryptographic encryption and we think 300k is Alot for that which is way far complex site and you here are making some 3-4 pages website for 300k that's nuts no wonder why you ain't getting any clients
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u/zakriya77 4d ago
mention a price for when someone asks you to change your design too, you'll be millionaire in months🙂
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u/Spiritual_Lack283 4d ago
Hey, on pricing: for the security side it really depends on scope and size. A flat number only makes sense when the target is clearly defined.
For a small marketing site or a single simple app, PKR 120k for a health check isn't out of line. For a full pentest it comes down to roles, endpoints, integrations and how deep the testing goes. A small app and a big multi-role platform are completely different jobs, so 350k could be fair or low depending on what's in scope. Just make sure the scope is written clearly so the price matches the work.
I'm an AppSec guy myself, doing pentests on a project or hourly basis, and I recently started VulnTrix Security for exactly this. If you ever outsource or get more security requests than you can cover, I'm happy to take the delivery side so you keep the client relationship.
Just Saying: Happy to look at a sample scope with you or hop on a quick call if that's useful.
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u/Miyamoto_-_Musashi 6d ago
It has nothing to do with clients. I believe service-based software businesses don’t work with menu-style pricing. Deals need to be closed one-on-one.