The Cost of Cheap Clients

What happens when you pay someone RM1K to build your website? Here’s a story worth thinking about!

Written by

Krista Goon

Published on

April 3, 2025
BlogBusiness Articles

Recently, we came across a story about an entrepreneur who hired a web designer for RM1K to build his website. Months passed, and the end product was practically useless. He was furious that the web designer didn’t deliver the website he wanted, the content wasn’t SEO-friendly, and the images were just stock photos. Frustrated, he took to social media to vent, blaming the designer entirely for the fiasco.

But here’s our take: What exactly did he expect for RM1K?

If you pay for cheap work, you often get cheap results. Professionalism comes at a price, and experienced web designers—who also understand SEO and copywriting—charge significantly more than RM1K. The entrepreneur wanted a high-quality website but wasn’t willing to pay for one.

This situation is a classic example of what we call the cheapskate customer—someone who demands top-tier service but refuses to pay a fair price.

In our Big Timer game and strategy workshop, we teach that these customers are often more trouble than they’re worth. They drain your time, stress you out and rarely appreciate the value you bring. We’re sure you’ve seen some of these customers before.

When to Let Go of Cheapskate Clients

In the early days of your business, you might feel compelled to take on these clients just to get work. But as you grow and build a reputation, it’s time to move on. The simplest way to filter them out?

Raise your prices.

Price shoppers will always be shaken by even a small price increase. When you raise your rates, you naturally repel clients who only care about cost while attracting those who value expertise, quality and results.

The Secret to Elevating Your Business

But what happens when you let go of low-paying clients?

How do you replace them with premium customers who love what you do and are willing to pay for it?

The answer lies in positioning and strategy.

You need to find, attract and nurture high-value clients who recognize your expertise and want to invest in quality work. These are the clients who appreciate your insights, respect your time and bring long-term value to your business.

This is exactly what we teach in our strategy workshops—how to shift away from price-sensitive clients and move towards a business model that thrives on premium, loyal customers.

If you’re ready to make that shift, sign up for our waitlist to be notified about our next workshop.

It’s time to stop working for cheapskate clients and start building a business that rewards your expertise!