we all know, major sites like rentacoder, getafreelancer, has programmers more than happy with $5/hour and less. how do you convince a client that north american and western europe programmers charge 10 times that amount at the least?
Contrary to what may seem popular belief, not many of us will hire somebody outside our country. It is too easy to get ripped off. In addition, we want somebody right here beside us, especially if we are hiring a programmer or designer. It's just too hard and time consumming to communicate via phone or IM. You can't really explain yourself via IM, so.... When it comes to article writing, just about all of them suck, so if you have sample work to show them that is FAR better.... Without really knowing for sure, some say that it is better to go with a third-world programmer, because they are cheaper. They just assume that many do. The fact of the matter is...not many will do this mainly because it is just too hard to communicate their wants and needs via IM. Don't wory about it.
It's really not much if any different from trying to convince someone they should buy a car from a BMW dealership instead of a Mercades dealership. If the 3rd world programmer can do as good of a job as the non 3rd world programmer anyone would be a fool not to go with the 3rd world programmer. If you can get a finished product of the same quality for less than half the price, things like language barriers don't seem like much of an inconvenience, especially when you have things like Google Translate and Babelfish. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. If you sold everything you own and moved to one of these third world Countries and setup shop as a developer, you could probably live like a King charging the same $5 as everyone else there.
I think the thing you have to ask yourself and then convince the client of is why north american and western european programmers are worth the difference. And to quote joebert above Why should I buy a Detroit made auto when the imports are so much better? Same concept.
I once posted a project on GetAFreeLancer.com, I was shocked by the bids. Mostly from India, no relation what so ever to the project description, they didn't even read it. Since then I never go back there.
Yup. Then try to explain how you want your site to be, and all the little details you want done via IM. Oh, the fun you'll have. heh heh You can do it over the phone, but unless you want a bill in the three figures....
A 3rd world programmer can do just as good of a job and most basic programming jobs. But large complex one it's best to have a local one.
I'll be honest with you. Those who want to try the 3rd world route can go that direction and let them see for themselves. For complex projects, I need more phone communication and simply use a local guy. I'm not sure I'd use hard sell. I'd just seek out the target market who would not go that route.
The providers I've tried from India, I feel, have always had the best intentions and don't always possess all of the skills that I want but believe that they are doing a great job. But I am not in the business of boosting self esteem. I've basically been ripped off by third world programmers, web designers and copywriters before. I find it much more beneficial to me to hire someone that I can speak to directly that understands me completely and what I want done. The cheapest price is not always the best option.
I've worked with programmers from developing countries but only on small time projects. Better if you hire someone local when doing big projects.
I have UK client whose office is full of programmers and still he pays me every month and gives me the most biggest projects he has. It isn't about the place where one lives it is about the work he delivers. But I also have to agree that there is a risk of getting ripped off.