Jargon - Freelancer
A freelancer is an independent web site developer/designer. Freelancers are typically not associated with a company, however, there are quite a few companies based in India and other parts of the world that work exclusively on freelance sites.
Pros and Cons of Freelancers and Web Design Companies
As you probably expected there are pros and cons associated with both freelance developers and web development companies. My hope is that this list helps you determine the best option for you and your business needs.
Freelance Developers/Designers
- Pros
Cheap, Cheap, and Cheap!
Freelancers are typically very inexpensive compared to Web Development Companies. The main reason for this is less overhead.
They simply don't have to pay a lot of salaries and provide benefits for multiple employees. There are also many
offshore freelancers that can afford to work at lower rates because their cost of living is much lower than U.S. based
freelancers.
Quick Turn-A-Round
Freelancers will almost always develop much quicker than Web Development Companies simply because they tend to re-use a lot
of their code. This results in a tremendous amount of saved development time and ultimately results in getting your
project completed quickly. Keep in mind that this is not always the case and often depends on your project.
Direct Communication
Utilizing a freelance developer will allow you to work directly with the developer. Most Web Design Companies will provide a
project manager or a liaison to assist in gathering information which, I believe, in most cases is not necessary. Unless you
are developing a major site this is overkill.
- Cons
Difficult to determine dependability
Freelancer developers can be unpredictable at times. It can also be difficult to obtain references from some. A quality freelance
developer will provide you with references without you even having to ask. If they are hesitant at all in providing references
you should reconsider.
Require more up-front money
Many freelance developers simply cannot afford to start a project without getting some time of down payment for services.
This isn't always bad but it is nice that some web development companies do not require an immediate up-front payment. Be aware that
if your freelance developer is asking for more than 25% up-front, you should be worried.
On-going support can be difficult
It can be difficult to get on-going support from freelancers on larger projects. Make sure you work something into your deal to
guarantee at least 30 days of support once your project is complete.
Web Design Companies
Pros
Well staffed
Web design companies are, in most cases, very well staffed and can dedicate at least one person to your project until it is
complete. Freelance developers can be working on multiple projects at any given time.
Contracts
Most development companies will provide a contract that specifically outlines the work to be done. This protects you and them.
Many freelancers will provide the same thing but you might have to ask for it.
Location
You can easily find a web design company that is in your immediate area. This is the BEST possible scenario because it puts
you face to face with the provider. There is no better way to get a feel for the project they will deliver.
Cons
Too Much Analysis
My experiences with some development companies has been that they tend to over analyze your requirements. Don't get me wrong, it is very important to spend time doing this but you have to draw the line somewhere and get started developing. If you feel like this is dragging on it probably is and you need to speak up.
Slower development
Web development companies work normal working hours. Most freelancers work whatever has to be worked to get the job done
as quickly as possible.
Cost
You will most likely spend a significantly higher price for having a web development company complete your project. Just get a few bids and you should be ok. Sometimes it is worth it to spend a little more to have someone local to work with.
Whatever you decide, take your time and go with your gut. If you feel uneasy about someone there is probably a good reason for it. Most importantly, get references! Don't slack on this. Do your homework and know your provider. Good luck. Check back soon for the next part in this series where we will discuss "Choosing the Look and Feel of Your Site".
Aaron davis is the founder of PrayerChain Software, LLC. He has been a web/application developer for more than 12 years. His specialty is .NET development with C# and SQL Server. PrayerChain is about to launch their new site as well as Web Framework 2.0. PrayerChain Software develops custom application frameworks designed to aid in rapid web/application development. http://www.prayerchainsoftware.com
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