When embarking on a website design or re-design project for your business, the first decision that you will need to make is whether to work with a freelance web designer or an agency. Since there are
When embarking on a website design or re-design project for your business, the first decision that you will need to make is whether to work with a freelance web designer or an agency.
Since there are few obstacles in becoming a web designer/developer, there is a lot of competition in the industry and the choices can be overwhelming.
For most businesses, a website project is a large undertaking, requiring a significant investment of both money and time. Before you make this important decision, consider the pros and cons of hiring a freelancer versus an agency:
Advantages of Working With a Freelance Web Designer
There are several advantages to hiring a freelancer to complete your project. Find out more below.
The Overall Cost
Cost is one of the biggest reasons that a business may select a freelance web designer over an agency to create its website. An individual web designer or developer is able to set his or her own rates.
Therefore, the cost of the overall project can be cheaper than options with a web agency. If your business is just starting out and needs a simple web presence, a freelancer or a very small agency can be a good choice.
You can also reduce the cost of the project by having an experienced freelancer use an existing WordPress template or theme versus a custom design from scratch.
Competitive Nature
Freelancers are generally creatures with a niche.
The competitive nature of the industry, coupled with the requisite geekery that drives them, means that even if your project requires highly a highly specific skill base, you should be able to find a great freelancer to fit the bill.
Direct Involvement
Along with setting their own rates, freelancers can set their schedules. This can positively impact the timeline of the project.
When working with one person, they may be able to devote all their time to your project to get the work done quicker, whereas an agency will be managing multiple projects with different timelines so will delay the project overall.
Depending on the agency or freelancer, you may experience a more hands-on approach with a freelancer. Since they are your sole contact on the project, there can be a more personal approach.
More Flexible
You’ll need to cross-reference this sweeping statement with your freelancer’s diary, but if your project requires a certain amount of flexibility, they may well be in a better position to provide it than an agency with more rigid workflows.
They might also be happy to work on-site with you, if it would benefit the project. This builds familiarity with your business and allows for more productive feedback sessions and wotnot.
Disadvantages of Working With a Freelance Web Designer
Although a freelancer can be less expensive and more involved than a web design agency, there are also potential issues with hiring one.
Accountability
When you hire a freelancer for any type of project, accountability is always a concern. While some freelancers come highly recommended, it can be more difficult to assess the reviews and experience of a freelancer compared to an agency.
So, you may feel you’re taking a risk working with someone whose success and credibility is not easily verified.
You’re also relying on that individual to complete the project from start to finish. If you’ve hired an individual rather than an agency, and that person becomes unavailable, you may have to start from the very beginning with someone new.
Lone Worker
To reduce your dependency on one person, make sure the website is built on a popular content management system platform, such as WordPress.
Using a popular platform means that there are tons of web developers and experts available, in case you ever need help with the site and your freelancer isn’t available.
A content management system allows you to easily add or edit the content on the site. So you can manage the site long-term without needing a developer to make every change for you.
Potentially Limited Skillset
One of the biggest disadvantages of working with a freelancer is that you could be limited to the skills and resources of that one person.
Designing and building a website is similar to building a house in that it requires multiple skill sets. You wouldn’t expect the architect to also do the plumbing. Or the construction crew to help with the interior design of the house.
With an agency, you’ll work with a team on the website project and each member of the team will be a specialist in one of these skills. This also can be frustrating as you have too many ideas floating around.
The only challenge is that you’ll be responsible for handling communication between the different parties. Whereas an agency would provide a project manager whose role is similar to a general contractor that oversees the project from start to finish.
Advantages of Working with an Agency
A web design agency could be the best choice for your company due to the few advantages they offer.
Diverse Experience
The major advantage of working with a web agency is that you’ll have a team dedicated to the web project. Depending on the size of the agency, this could include a web strategist, a web designer, a project manager and a web developer or development team.
Each team member will bring a different set of skills to the project. For instance, a web strategist is similar to an architect. When you are building a house, you need to start with a strategic blueprint. Boring.
Credibility & Support
Another advantage of working with a web agency is that an agency typically has more credibility in the community and has a reputation to uphold.
When evaluating agencies and freelancers, it is typically easier to view the credibility of an agency. This could be in online reviews, past client work, and awards, while you may not have easy access to that information with a freelancer.
Disadvantages of Working With a Web Agency
While a web agency offers many benefits to its customers, hiring an agency also has some downside.
Unfair Price
If you work with a web agency, you’ll typically invest more in the website for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the agency will go through a phased approach to build the site. You’ll have a web strategy phase, design phase, and web development phase.
This requires a number of skilled people working on your project. This in turn costs an agency a lot in salaries. Whereas a good freelance web designer and graphic designer will generally be able to offer all of those skills themselves.
Not Very Personal
Agencies generally work from their own base, so you might not get much time with them on-site.
However, you could/should be able to negotiate CMS training or meetings where lots of your peers are involved, on your own turf.
Consider Your Web Project Goals
In the end, you’ll need to consider the role your website will play in your business. If you are starting a new business and need a simple site to establish a web presence, then a freelance web designer or a smaller agency may be a good choice.
Could you imagine doing all of that with one person? Well, that one person could be me.
When considering your next web project, remember that your site will be the 24/7 representation of your business and you’ll want to do it right the first time.
Want to find out more about how to decide on a web designer for your business? Send me a message.
