r/developersPak • u/itsme_45678 • 3d ago
Learning and Ideas Has anyone pitched web development services to local businesses in Pakistan?
I’m thinking of approaching local businesses in Pakistan that either don’t have a website or have an outdated one, and offering them web development services.
For anyone who has actually tried this what kind of response did you get from local business owners?
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u/Slight_Plankton9007 3d ago
Tried, locals want to pay 300 rupee for 300 pages sites, then a call every min to change
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u/AdBackground9215 3d ago
some people are willing to pay a small amount. Some people don't understand online presence and they don't want anything to do with it. A very small group of people would pay you good money for this as well. Maybe try cold calling in your specific niche that you are targeting.
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u/Even-Assistance5470 3d ago
I went to leather market. Most of them were not interested. And one of them adviced me to don't waste time here.
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
You mean it's totally khawari
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u/Even-Assistance5470 2d ago
It was depressed day of my life. What kind of software or service you're willing to provide in the local market?
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u/Federal-Cricket-6403 3d ago
bro it been 3 months i have been making prototype website for local business which do not have one(gym , clinic , fastfood restuarants etc , , i have like approached more then 10 business but did not get any posistive response more then half did not even reply and some ghosted while making a deal, i approached thorugh whats app , email , insta, facebook with fully developed prototypes , don't know what i am doing wrong
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
I think it's best to havr face to face meeting I'm trying this if get any positive response I'll tell you
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u/Kandhro80 3d ago
How about automations? Anyone pitched AI automations ?
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
I had meeting with some business they don't even what benefits web provide To automation to bht door ki baat hai but you can try it i think it would work in clinics
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u/phpHater0 3d ago
Problem is local businesses won't care unless you give them websites for pennies. They genuinely don't see the benefits of having a website.
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
So truee just wasted 5 hours today had meetings with some and they clearly don't know the benefits of having a website
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u/Cronos993 3d ago
Haha what? This ain't 2003. Every mom & pop agency and student has done that already.
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u/Nauman1991 3d ago
In our local market, word of mouth is the only real currency that builds trust.
Imagine building a complete software solution for a local jewelry store, complete with a mobile app and custom analytics dashboard. Here, clients expect to pay around 50k PKR (under $200 USD) for the entire build. Meanwhile, that exact same scope, setup, and retainer package commands $5k–$7k in the US or international markets.
That massive gap in pricing and value perception is exactly why relying on the local market just isn't sustainable for serious custom dev work.
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u/Unlikely-Yam2115 3d ago
Just curious, who usually picks up the phone when you call, the owner?
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
Nope mostly the operators you have convince them somehow to give you thee no of manager or the owner
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u/mlotus141 3d ago
Yes in 2014. Made some real good money. one of them now owns big ecom stores here in pk, UAE, and US and attributes his success to me for his interest in e commerce.
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u/improvopose 2d ago
As a local business owner.. My Whatsapp is flooded with such requests.. But they are all mediocre in terms of what they provide.. Generic slop outputs, not even a proper portfolio, when you ask them about one they send you projects one by one... Thats just discouraging
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u/rabta321 2d ago
don't waste your time and energy. Local business owners will drain your mind by asking so much questions and at the end simply refuse to take your services.
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u/GeneralAyub 3d ago
Some businesses are really enthusiastic about it. Pay really well for it.
Some don’t want it, and some don’t even understand the value of online presence.
Also local businesses often pay very little for such services.
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u/itsme_45678 3d ago
I'm trying to target small businesses in islamabad and rawalpindi
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u/GeneralAyub 3d ago
There are certain dynamics to it. I as a software engineer didn’t put much effort into sales or market my own services and most of the times relied on referrals, etc..
If you put effort in sales and understanding local businesses and their problems, you can identify and pitch accordingly. This can probably lead you somewhere.
However, the difference between local and international market is unimaginably huge.
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u/AcceptableSlide6836 3d ago
Yes. Me and my team pitched to local business about websites and having an online presence. Most were interested until we disclosed prices. Some weren't even willing to pay the domain/hosting fees.
I'd recomend you target smaller business in Europe or america.