With so many companies and individuals offering web development services you might be wondering should I go with a freelancer or should I go with a design agency. Here are some points to consider.
Price:
A design agency has overhead expenses that vary greatly from agency to agency. The overhead of an agency includes the salaries of upper management, sales commissions, rent expenses etc. The freelancer, on the other hand, needs only to cover his expenses which may just include his Internet connection and phone bill every month.
Delivery Time:
A freelancer is focused on getting as many projects as possible. The sooner a project is over he can start another. Unlike an agency that can approach many projects at the same time and postpone them in order to make room for others, a freelancer does not have that liberty. The freelancer has no choice but to give his best to deliver the best solution because he’s paid on a project basis and not on time spend. While an agency can afford to lose a few days for re-sketching a bad design that does not hold true for a freelancer. In addition, when you work with a freelancer you liaise directly with him so you can get a real sense of where your project is at. You cut out the game of Chinese whispers that is usually played between clients and sales representatives, project managers and account handlers. This means the project can be finished faster.
Flexibility:
Usually a freelancer has no fixed work schedule. He doesn’t work from 9 to 5 so you will be able to communicate with him almost anytime you want.
Continuity:
The question always asked when using a freelancer is “What happens if he is hit by a bus?” There is always the comfort level of using an agency. However, today’s software development methodologies ensure that any project started by one programmer can be completed by another programmer/agency should you and your freelancer part company for any reason.
I have worked on both sides of the fence and there are indeed pros and cons to both. However, in these harsh economic times there is no need for your website to cost any more than it needs to be.