When it comes to designing a website for your small business, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a freelancer or a website design agency. Both options come with unique benefits and challenges.
This guide will help you understand which option best suits your small business’s needs and how to make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Who is a freelancer?
A freelancer is an individual who works on a per-job basis, usually for short-term work as an independent contractor. They are considered part of the gig economy and they work independently with clients to create their website.
What is a website design agency?
A website design agency is a professional service firm that specialises in creating, designing, and developing websites for businesses, organisations, or individuals. They offer diverse skills under one roof such as graphic design, web development, content creation, SEO and digital marketing.
Which option is better for your business website?
Choosing between a freelancer or a website design company for your project depends on several factors, including your budget, the complexity of the project, timelines, and the level of support you require. Here’s a comparison to guide your decision:
Project Scope and Complexity
Freelancer: Ideal for one time projects or specific tasks like logo design, content writing, or simple website builds.
Website Design Company: Better suited for medium to large website to more complex projects like eCommerce websites, custom applications, or enterprise-level platforms.
Budget and Expertise
Freelancer: Freelancers tend to be more affordable than agencies, making them ideal for businesses with limited budgets.A freelancer typically specialises in a particular area. You may need to hire multiple freelancers if the project demands diverse skills.
Website Design Company: Often comes at a higher cost but includes a complete package of services, such as strategy, design, development, and post-launch support. You will get to work with a team of specialists, including designers, developers, and marketing experts, providing a holistic solution for your project.
Availability and Communication
Freelancer: May have limited availability due to juggling multiple projects, but communication tends to be more direct and personal.
Website Design Company: Typically has a structured process with team members ensuring continuity. However, communication is often through a team leader rather than directly with designers or developers.
Flexibility, Reliability and Post-Launch Support
Freelancer: Some may offer more flexibility with revisions, timelines, and adjusting to your needs - but they usually come with add-on costs to client. Post-launch support can be limited, especially if the freelancer is committed to new projects.
Website Design Company: While processes might be more structured, this often leads to a smoother, more predictable workflow. Often includes ongoing support, maintenance, and additional services as part of their offering.
Portfolio and References
Both: Always review their past work and request client references to gauge the quality of their services and the types of projects they’ve completed.
You May Want To Read:
Small Business Website Design and Hosting: A Comprehensive Guide
Top 5 sites to hire freelancers for website design
1. Upwork
Upwork contains dozens of categories for you to browse and search for freelancers or contractors for your business. Upwork is one of the only freelance websites where you can find specialised and licensed help, including consultants. Upwork displays freelancers’ hourly rates and job success ratings. Upwork is free for businesses and freelancers to join. Freelancers can receive a certain number of free Connects per month that allow them to bid on jobs. Upwork takes a 10 percent commission on freelancer earnings.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is a legitimate freelance platform where you can find professionals to help with your business or personal projects. It lets you browse wide range of professionals, including programmers, WordPress and Shopify experts, illustrators, and more. Popular business services include website creation, short video ads, website content, SEO services and graphic designers.
3. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a reputable service for businesses and freelancers alike. It is set up similarly to sites like Upwork. The service is free to employers and provides access to a skilled pool of freelancers. All freelancers are thoroughly vetted, and you can post a listing to find the ideal candidate with the skillset you’re seeking.
4. LinkedIn
Unlike most of the platforms we’re discussing, LinkedIn isn’t a dedicated job site for freelancers, but it features a range of opportunities for independent professionals. Freelance graphic designers, developers, copywriters, and more can look for work using LinkedIn.
5. Freelancer
Freelancer.in is the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and projects. As per their website, they have connected over 7,63,38,772 employers and freelancers globally from over 247 countries, regions and territories. Through their marketplace, employers can hire freelancers to do work in areas such as software development, writing, data entry and design right through to sales and marketing.
Conclusion
Choosing between a website design agency and a freelancer depends on your business’s specific needs, budget, and long-term goals. Agencies are ideal for projects requiring more services and long term support, whereas freelancers are better for businesses needing a more affordable and limited support option. Evaluate both options carefully to ensure your business website serves its purpose effectively.
Need a website for your business
If you’re looking for a solution that offers speed, security, and simplicity, consider Atom CMS - a flat-file CMS that is perfect for small business websites.
It’s a powerful WordPress alternative, wherein our team provides fast-loading, secure websites that are 100% mobile-responsive and follows the best SEO practices. With Atom CMS, you get the benefit of a streamlined platform without the need for ongoing management, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses focused on growth.
