4AM
Journal

// PRICING

Why we price in rupees first.

A surprising number of Indian studios quote in dollars by default. A short note on why we don't.
Rohan·2026-03-10·4 MIN READ

A studio quotes ₹5L for a website. Same studio, same scope, same Tuesday — quotes $5,000 to an American client. Math says $5,000 is ₹4.2L. So they're charging their Indian clients more.

This happens more than you'd think. It happens because ₹5L 'looks bigger than' $5,000 and quoting in dollars feels more prestigious. Our view: it's gouging by another name, and it's why Indian small businesses distrust design agencies.

Price first in the currency of the person paying. Everything else is theatre.

// WRITTEN BY

Rohan

PROJECT LEAD

Writes about project lead at 4AM Tech. Part of a four-person team that believes a small business deserves a beautiful website.

// END OF PIECE

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