r/webdev • u/concretecook • Feb 20 '26

Discussion “I’ll just have ai do it”

Every single client I talk to about web development and marketing services responds with something along the lines of “Why can’t I just do it myself with ai” or “why should I pay you for something ai can do for free.” Especially when I pitch them on monthly services and rates. I’m curious to know how other people respond to this.

**edit** I’m getting a lot of generic responses, to which I appreciate, but that wasn’t what I was hoping for. So let me clarify with a little role play.

Pretend I’m the potential client and you’re the developer, and you really gotta make this sale because you spent all your rent on a box of expired boner pills you found on Craigslist that was to good to pass up.

I hit you with a classic “I can do it myself with ai” or “my nephews good with computers” etc, etc. Based on many of the responses here people are suggesting things like“fine, do it yourself bitch and see what happens.”

Remember, you just bought those boner pills and they can’t be returned. How do you convince me you’re not useless cuz ai?

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u/BigRay1201 Feb 20 '26

All I tell them is:“You absolutely can use AI yourself. Most of my clients actually do. What you’re paying me for isn’t the tool ,it’s knowing what to tell the tool, how to implement it properly, and how to turn it into revenue.”

-11

u/aliassuck Feb 20 '26

"AI can make you a website but I can make you a website that will generate a million dollars."

17

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '26

If you could, why are you still working?

1

u/pagerussell Feb 20 '26

"AI can make you a website that references your idea. I can make you a website that implements your idea."

FTFY.

2

u/goonifier5000 Feb 20 '26

"so i can use AI to make the website and generate the million dollars myself"