| There are advantages and disadvantages of being a | | | | you will want to be earning yourself), and you can |
| freelance web designer, as opposed to working for an | | | | work from home, thus making the requirement for an |
| agency. Here we take a look at some of the benefits | | | | office redundant. The disadvantage will be the lack of |
| and negatives of working freelance. | | | | experience, making it difficult to find clients who trust |
| TIME OFF | | | | you. Without any evidence of the work you can |
| Freelancers can have time off whenever they please. | | | | provide you may have to work for little, or even |
| They can take work and turn down work when they | | | | nothing, early on. |
| like, meaning they can fit in extra time off should they | | | | OTHER SERVICES |
| choose to do so. They get paid for the work they do | | | | A web design agency may offer more than just web |
| and don't get paid when they aren't working. This is an | | | | design. They may cross over to other services such |
| advantage if they would like more time off than the | | | | as web hosting, graphic design and SEO (search |
| average agency employee, but it does mean that they | | | | engine optimisation). This can help get the agency |
| won't be getting paid for any time off. Employees are | | | | work if clients need one of these other services as |
| legally entitled to at least four weeks paid holiday per | | | | well as web design, as many clients prefer to keep all |
| year, but a freelancer will not be receiving any income | | | | these services within one company. Freelancers lack |
| while not working. This also means they receive no | | | | this backup. It is possible that you could manage these |
| sick pay, unless they are signed off and are able to | | | | services though, and outsource them. |
| claim benefits. | | | | WORKING ALONE VS. WORKING WITH OTHERS |
| STRESS | | | | If you are not good at working with other people then |
| Depending on how you look at it and the particular | | | | freelancing could be very beneficial. Although you have |
| situation someone finds themselves in, working as a | | | | to work with clients, for the main part you be left alone |
| freelancer can either be more or less stressful than | | | | to get on with the job. Some prefer to have others as |
| working for an agency. You may not have targets set | | | | backup though and find it difficult to stay motivated |
| by someone else so if something takes a little longer | | | | when working alone. For these people working for an |
| than expected it may not matter as much. In some | | | | agency is likely to be preferable to working as a |
| ways you can work to your own time scales, although | | | | freelance web designer. |
| this is dependent on the clients' expectations. The | | | | Agencies often have their specific ways of doing |
| problem is that you are reliant on only yourself. There | | | | things. To some, not having to work within their rules |
| is no back up if there are issues to resolve, so | | | | and not having to follow their processes will be a plus |
| difficulties in the job can be more stressful. | | | | point; you can get on with the job as you see fit. On |
| FINDING WORK | | | | the other hand, companies' structures can be a good |
| The work you take on is completely up to you if you | | | | framework to work within, meaning everyone works |
| work freelance. If you don't like the sound of a project, | | | | to their full productivity. |
| or don't have the skills necessary to undertake it, you | | | | MONEY |
| can simply turn it down. You wouldn't have this choice | | | | If you are a freelancer you will keep one hundred per |
| if working for a web design agency. Finding work can | | | | cent of the income. If you are successful there will be |
| also be one of the main negatives of a freelancer | | | | no limit to how much you can earn. You may want to |
| though. There is no guarantee of the work flooding in, | | | | grow into a larger business if you become successful, |
| and any time when there is no work will mean no | | | | but you will be able to choose your own salary, as long |
| income. Many freelancers, especially those just | | | | as it is affordable. The disadvantage on the money |
| beginning their career, will not have the same contacts | | | | front is that you won't earn anything until you have |
| as an experienced agency with a good reputation. Of | | | | completed some chargeable work. If you are struggling |
| course, this may change as your reputation grows. | | | | to find work you won't be earning an income. |
| STARTING OUT | | | | However, if you are working for an agency they have |
| Your start up costs will not be too significant. If you are | | | | to pay you. |
| working alone there will be no salaries to pay (although | | | | |