Freelancers vs. Design Agencies: Who Should You Hire?
Looking to get a website for your business, but overwhelmed with the options out there? I totally get it. The market is saturated with website designers, freelancers and web design agencies alike. Today, there are so many options for building the perfect website for your business.
You can choose to hire a freelancer to do the job, or select a website development agency to do all the work. Both options are viable options and you can count on either one to develop a website for your small business.
But there are some differences in cost, quality, and convenience. It’s fair to say that each option isn’t necessarily for everyone…
Let’s talk more about both options to help you figure out which one is best for you.
The Differences in Cost
Building a website isn’t cheap, at least if you want to receive a quality site that actually performs for you by bringing in more calls and contact forms. You can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5,000 on your website. If you want to build an online store, or an eCommerce website, you can possibly spend more than $10,000.
The cost of a website in 2021 usually depends on a variety of factors, including the professionals you hire. When you hire a freelancer, you may be able to get a great deal, since many of them work alone.
Naturally, they’re also in high competition with one another and will probably lower their rates a bit to stay competitive. On the other hand, when you hire a website design agency, you will almost always spend more money. A good website design agency is often booked throughout the year and will likely never give you a discount because they don’t have to. So if you have a really tight budget, you may be better off hiring a freelancer or a small website design firm.
The Differences in Quality
Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. Both website design agencies and freelancers can create the same quality of work. But the key is to finding the right freelancer to create the same high-functioning and stylist website that the big firms can.
You’ll probably never be disappointed with the results of a website build from an agency. That’s because they have the tools, resources, and staff to commit to both small and large website development projects. Freelancers don’t always have the time or expertise to build specific, custom websites.
And, if you do find a freelancer like this, they’re usually going to charge agency-type rates for their services. If you have a budget but want to prioritize quality, it’s best to consider hiring an agency.
The Differences in Convenience
Agencies are rather large companies. Many of them have a portfolio of work on their websites, along with online reviews, testimonials, and case studies. They’ve established themselves in their field and can be trusted to put out high-quality work.
Some freelancers aren’t so trustworthy. I’ve heard of some taking on projects and leaving clients in the dark. Others can give you nothing of what you asked for. Or maybe the process is just extremely slow. And although this definitely isn’t a reflection of all freelancers, it’s important to do your due diligence. Before hiring a freelancer, ask them for references, a portfolio, and proof that they can produce a stunning website for you.
Agencies have more to lose when it comes to giving clients the work they asked for than a freelancer who can operate on multiple job search platforms, like Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork.
My Tips to Hiring the Right Website Designer
If you’re looking for a customized, quality website above all else, then it’s best to hire a website design agency. However, if you have a very tight budget and need somewhere to get just get started, you’re better off hiring a freelancer.
No matter what, be sure to do your due diligence and learn as much as you can about the freelancer or agency before deciding which is the right pick for you. It might take talking to several individuals to find the right match, but when you do, it’ll be well worth it.
Freelancer:
Ask them to provide references from past clients. Then, follow up with those references.
Ask to view their portfolio.
Talk to them about what their process looks like (and if they even have a process).
Discuss the project timeline and how long it would take them to complete your website.
Feel out their personality. (Do they communicate well? Are they friendly? Are they enthusiastic? Are they honest?)
Agency:
Check out their reviews on Google, Yelp, Bing, etc.
Discuss pricing options and what their packages include.
Browse their portfolio.
Discuss the project timeline and how long it would take them to complete your website.
Get a feel for the company personality and processes. (Just like you would working with a freelancer, you want to make sure they’re friendly, easy to talk to, easy to understand, etc.)
