I really want to help clients that need me. I am very honest with my clients about what I can and can’t do because I want them to make the best decision for their business, whether it’s me or not. In that spirit of transparency, I chose to do this month’s blog on the pros and cons of both web agencies and freelancers.

Now, let’s get into it…

PROS OF HIRING A WEB AGENCY

A web design agency will have a whole team of people – some even have multiple teams of people, who have cumulatively worked on a variety of websites. Each team may have different strengths, allowing the agency to match you with the best team for your business based on what kind of design and functionality you want included in your website.

Another advantage of agencies is that they sometimes have partnerships with hosting and domain companies, which could result in you getting a lower cost on these items through the agency than you would on your own. They also have Web Developers who are able to use code to provide nearly limitless functionality, depending on your needs.

CONS OF HIRING A WEB AGENCY

While you may have a team working on your website, some agencies will assign a point person to you – this person becomes your main contact. However, they still have to relay your feedback and desires to the team…and unfortunately, that leaves room for miscommunication or even details that are important to you, being lost in translation. On that same note, other agencies do not assign a point person and while you may get 24/7 Customer Service, you will likely speak to a different agency representative every time you have a need. This can lead to frustration or the feeling of having an impersonal client relationship.

A big drawback of hiring a web agency is cost. They are typically a lot more expensive than freelancers because you are actually paying for multiple people’s services. Which route you go could ultimately depend on your budget and your needs.

PROS OF HIRING A FREELANCER

Speaking of cost – this is a big advantage of hiring a freelancer as they tend to be a more affordable option. Brick Marketing’s blog on this topic quotes, “Additionally, because freelancers often have a lot of experience and expertise in web design, they can often create a website that looks just as good, if not better, than one created by an agency.”

Freelancers will typically go the extra mile to make sure their clients are satisfied as their reputation and ability to get future work depends on it. They also offer more flexibility and can be a lot more responsive and communicative – resulting in a higher quality of customer service because building that client relationship matters.

Another plus when hiring a freelancer is due to the fact they are their own boss – they can control how many clients they work with at one time in order to give the necessary attention to each client. They are your only point person and work on every aspect of your project – a big positive when expecting you're branding to come across seamlessly in all the services you hire them to provide.

CONS OF HIRING A FREELANCER

As Upwork’s similar publications states, “Common types of agencies include Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media, Branding, Customer Service and Software Development.” An agency is sure to have at least one person with expertise or high proficiency in every single one of these areas. When hiring a freelancer – they may have expertise in only one or a few of these areas. If you’re looking into a freelancer that only does Branding, you’ll need to hire another freelancer who specializes in web design and possibly a third that can handle your social media or advertising & Marketing designs. With that said, there are certainly freelancers that offer multiple services as well, you just need to your research.

A concern when hiring a freelancer, at least initially, is knowing who you can trust. These are individuals claiming they can perform certain services without the backing of an agency who has already vetted their employees for you. It is almost guaranteed that the employees at a web agency have degrees or formal education in their specific areas while some freelancers are self-taught or gained their expertise through years of experience. It depends on which can fulfill your business needs and goals and like anything else – check recommendations and portfolios. Ask your web agency or freelancer specific questions to identify what they can and cannot deliver.

If you decide a freelancer would fit your needs – please send me a message. I’d be happy to chat about my services and how I can help you shine!