| A freelance or freelancer is someone who works | | | | take on smaller projects. In contrast a freelance web |
| outside full time employment for different clients. This | | | | designer values projects of all sizes and can offer |
| article covers the main benefits of hiring a freelance | | | | bespoke services to suit the ideas and needs of the |
| web designer and touches upon other points that you | | | | individual client. A good Freelance Web Designer will |
| may wish to consider during your selection process. | | | | help you to manage the costs of the project, |
| But First a Warning (or Why Marketing Comes First) | | | | suggesting ways to cut costs if appropriate. |
| Rather than being the last thing that you consider | | | | Freelancers can Offer Alternatives to Bespoke |
| marketing should be the first consideration when | | | | Content Management Solutions |
| designing a site. Designing a site with no thought to | | | | Content Management Solutions (CMS) allow a client to |
| marketing will lead to a site that is without focus; and a | | | | easily add to their web site after it has been |
| site without focus is unlikely to work in the way that | | | | developed, the normal way to offer CMS is via a |
| you wish. | | | | bespoke solution. As freelancers are more flexible |
| Furthermore Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) (if it's | | | | they can offer alternative solutions to managing web |
| important to you) is a process that needs to be | | | | based content, such as cheap third party solutions |
| considered before, during and after a site is being | | | | (depending on the technical ability of the client) and low |
| designed. Beware of anyone who suggests that online | | | | cost ongoing site management. |
| marketing is free and begins and ends with on page or | | | | Freelance Web Designers have to be Good |
| onsite elements alone. SEO takes time and is an | | | | Freelance Web Designers have to be good and must |
| ongoing process and as such is certainly not free. | | | | work to keep your business, after all you pay their bills |
| A Freelancer is Cheaper than Hiring Full Time Staff | | | | and put food on the table. |
| Hiring a full time member of staff is expensive and | | | | Freelance Web Designers have to offer Good |
| inflexible, especially in terms of web design as once a | | | | Service |
| site is finished it's unlikely that a full time position can be | | | | Freelancers are directly dependant on the work that |
| sustained on just site updates alone. A freelancer on | | | | you provide, so a freelance web designer is more likely |
| the other hand can scale down their involvement with | | | | too; care about each project, treat you with respect, |
| your site, or there involvement could cease entirely in | | | | return your calls, notify you promptly if problems arise, |
| favour of someone with a different skill set depending | | | | keep in contact and deliver the project on time. |
| on your needs and the needs of your business. | | | | Freelance Web Designers have a Fresh Perspective |
| A Freelancer is Cheaper than a Web Design | | | | A Freelancer will approach your company afresh |
| Company | | | | without preconceived ideas and with plenty of |
| A web design company by its very nature has high | | | | enthusiasm. A good freelancer will try to add value |
| overheads and requires support staff to help it run, so | | | | beyond the site design and will strive to leave a good |
| it is quite normal that a freelancer will cost a lot less | | | | impression, as their reputation is in the balance. |
| than hiring a company or agency to complete the | | | | Freelance Web Designers are more Flexible |
| work on your website. | | | | Freelance web designers are by nature more able to |
| A Freelance Web Designer Offers Better Budgeting | | | | offer a flexible service to suit the needs of their clients, |
| & Cost Control | | | | they are usually able to choose their work schedule |
| A traditional Web Design company will be more | | | | and have the ability to work out of normal office hours |
| interested in larger projects as their services are by | | | | if required. |
| nature less scalable, it simply isn't worth their while to | | | | |