The article was a bit difficult to follow, perhaps due to liberal use of 'Indian' English and missing prepositions. Sorry, I know this is meta - I would like to hear what you have to say and would likely find it interesting. I would <i>appreciate</i> if you were to revise your writing so that it is more readable. I believe you are capable of it.
This is going to be a rant...<p>I am an Indian! Currently staying in Bangalore.<p>Indians don't buy Technology? This is BS, right?<p>Indians pay for technology all the time. From the poorest to richest. Just because they don't click on paypal and the money doesn't land in your start up's account it doesn't mean Indians don't pay up. The average levels of Piracy in India will more or less be the same as they are around the world.<p>Indians pay for things that bring them value. Not just because you built something. And it is you who built it.So first understand what value you bring common Indian masses.<p>I know of Auto drivers and cab drivers who get costly metering and taxi dispatch systems fitted to their vehicles. And they are really poor people. They are paying for technology, because it brings value to them. Do you know how many people use mobiles phones in India? Even the poorest people might be earning less than $1 a day(I know many beggars who carry mobile phones) use mobile phones in India, and they pay their bills.<p>I know Temples, Churches, Mosques use scrolling displays outside their compounds for various announcements. The displays survive in tough weather. And they sell. They bought it because it adds value to them.<p>I know ordinary middle class people, buy handy glucometers( for diabetes/blood sugar level testing) and Nebulizers and Sphygmomanometers(To check their blood pressure levels), Glucometers made by Accecheck. Why do they buy this technology? Because it brings value to them.<p>Millions of middle class Indians use solar technology and rain water harvesting systems. And they pay for it, you know why? Because it brings value to them.<p>I can go on and on... Citing examples.<p>India is like every other country and Indians are like people from any other nation.<p>People pay up when they see some value in the product. So any time you accuse Indians of not paying up. Ask your self a simple question.<p><i>What value does my service/product bring to the people</i><p>If you can't come up with a good answer to this question. Really the problem is with your product strategy.<p>Not Indians. Or India as a whole.<p>PS:<p>In this case 'Tax filing' software/means is worth dime for a dozen in this country.<p>EDIT : To all people who are downvoting this, Truth is bitter. An MVC site which has a thousand clones or which doesn't bring any value is not bound to succeed.<p>Seriously ask your self what value you bring to the world or <i>why should people buy from you</i>.
Completely agree with the "don't want to pay for software" bit. Heck, they don't want to pay for ANYTHING. Pirated windows, pirated accounting software, cheapass website because they look for the cheapest deal... the list is endless.
As already mentioned, the writing style makes it hard to get to the heart of the matter.<p>For me, it reads like a cathartic post from a stressed out entrepreneur. Needs to be 'understood' rather than being taken literally.<p>The gist of the post can be summarized so:<p>Is it a good idea to start a software products company in India? No, it isn't, because VCs will never fund it and you will never make it by bootstrapping. Even if you do, "fast-followers" will clone your business and get the benefit. Heads you loose, tails they win.<p>Then we have all the obstacles one has to grapple with. Not least are the unreasonable, uncouth, undiscerning customers who want to free-ride as much as possible.<p>The future will be better but now it's so bleak... :(<p>----<p>Being a Bangalore based entrepreneur focused on Indian enterprises and small businesses (co-founder, Greytip), I can relate to the frustrations but also strongly disagree on many counts.<p>Yes, there may not be a market for Online Tax Filing due to all the factors Archit lists out, but, it could also be because there are already many players in the domain. Moreover, it is a once a year business opportunity so it's a tougher nut to crack.<p>As for customers willingness to pay for software, it is all about value for money. A $5 per user pricing, although reasonable in the developed world, will not cut ice in India. A 50 cents per user pricing may yet work.<p>Which brings us to the key challenges to doing business in India: how do you keep costs low and still make profits, break-even before you break out of runway, and not compromise on quality and service.<p>Some days you put your head down and get going, some days you silently scream in the dark, and on some days you just rant... ;)