Why hire a freelance web developer?

When it comes time to design and develop a new website, small businesses are faced with a choice: hire an agency or a freelance web developer? This can be a very difficult decision to make, especially if you and your company are new to the web development process. While agency web development makes sense for many businesses, small businesses with tight marketing budgets can often get more for their money, not to mention a great product, if they turn to an independent subcontractor. As long as the company takes the time to thoroughly vet its pool of applicants before hiring a subcontractor, working with independent developers has many benefits.

Freelance web developers are more profitable.

Let’s face it: web development agencies can be expensive! While many agencies are a great product, they also face a lot of overhead, such as employee salaries, benefits, 401K plans, office space, travel compensation, etc. Freelance web designers and programmers often work from home or in a very small office and typically have very little overhead, allowing them to charge much lower rates than agencies offer.

Many freelance designers and programmers have diverse skills.

To be sure, there are different types of freelancers, and subcontractor experience levels can range from decades of experience to eager to make your first website. However, experienced freelancers are likely to have a diverse background that can include agency experience and knowledge of many different types of platforms. Subcontractors tend to diversify their skills to broaden their client base, and a freelancer who has been developing websites for years is likely to have experience in different code languages ​​and platforms, such as PHP, CSS, WordPress, and ecommerce style. . websites. This provides your employers with flexible options for website development and capabilities.

Subcontractors often have access to a wide network of other freelancers.

If an independent web developer has established themselves as a successful subcontractor, it is more than likely that they have developed relationships with other subcontractors whose specialties complement their own. These partnerships allow freelancers to expand their capabilities to specialties outside of their own by bringing in other members of the freelance team, if necessary. For example, a developer may specialize in programming but be able to offer graphic design through one of their partners. In this way, a small business can get a full menu of graphic design, site design, search engine optimization, and web development without going through an agency.

Tips for finding a great freelance web developer.

For every talented and experienced freelance developer “out there,” there are an equal number of inexperienced and unprofessional subcontractors. However, knowing the difference between these two types of subcontractors is not impossible if you know what to look for. First, gather a wide pool of applicants to choose from and peruse their resumes carefully. Be sure to ask to see each subcontractor’s portfolio of completed projects; This is often the best way to find out what your capabilities and the scope of your expertise really are. Then ask for references and contact each one. Ask not only about completed projects from references, but also about subcontractor professionalism, billing, and timely project completion.

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