Design agency vs freelancer

Selecting a web design agency vs a freelancer

What is better for your organization--a web design agency or a freelancer? The differences between the two many be significant, but the answer depends on your needs.

The first step to answering this question is to begin to define your project. Start with making a list of your needs for the website and the needs of your organization. Mom and pop businesses have very different needs from large enterprises. By defining your needs, it will be easier to communicate with a prospective web designer (whether they are an agency, boutique firm or freelancer).

Cost
In terms of pricing, freelancers are going to be less expensive overall. They do not need to support a staff, support facilities or infrastructure that an agency would maintain. Freelancers may be the best option for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs if cost is the main factor. For many businesses, cost is not the only factor. Quality, performance, support, technology and design may be very important factors as well. Many businesses begin building their website with the cheapest option available, only to start over months larger after wasting time, energy and money in the process.

Getting it right
When working with either an agency or a freelance website designer, it is highly recommended to explain your intentions and needs clearly in the beginning. Some clients may not be organized in the beginning of the project, but this can hurt the client more than the web designer. If the web designer can understand the purpose and needs of the website, they will be better equipped to offer the right solution.

Flexibility
In terms of larger projects, typically agencies are better equipped to deal with a broader assortment of client needs. These needs may include long-term support (having technical, design, marketing and account team members available), ability to support larger technical requirements, ability to support a variety of design needs, etc. Sure there are some super-start freelancers out that that produce some great work. This article is speaking in very general terms regarding agencies vs freelancers.

Launch and post-launch support is often neglected in the request for proposal. As you interview agencies and freelancers, consider your needs for the website, as well as your needs long-term.

• What kind of post-launch needs will you have?
• Do you have processes in place for generating website traffic?
• How about maintaining the website in the months after it launches?
• Will you be able to go back to the firm or freelancer in the future for expansions to the website or to make iterative changes down the road?
• What happens if your web server goes offline? Do you feel comfortable or have the bandwidth to deal with the hosting company and misc. issues involved with a website of your kind?

Interviews
When exploring web design agencies, it is a good idea to ask questions about their approach, process, technical abilities, their team make-up and who will be personally working with you (the client). Will you be working with a project manager? If you don't work well with the project manager, can you ask for an alternative manager? Is there a support team in place for long-term needs? Some web design agencies do not mind working with clients long-term, whereas some agencies and freelancers build and design websites and then prefer to walk away.

Communications
The ability for a freelancer vs a web design agency to communicate will be different. You may need to ask about each entity's process around communications. Do your candidates have an established and clear process? Does client feedback factor into the process at all? Are there reporting milestones or decision points? With freelancers, you may need to ask about their workload. If a freelancer gets busy, it may be challenging for them to be responsive. This can be especially true if they are overwhelmed with projects. Some agencies have processes in place to handle growth or scale. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the capabilities of the specific agency or freelancer that you are speaking to.

Rarely will you find the process of hiring a web design firm an apples to apples comparison.

Questions to ask a web design freelancer

• Can you show me websites you built while working as an independent freelancer?
• Do you have personal experience building websites like mine?
• How do you recommend I support my website long-term?
• Do you use open-source code, proprietary software or third-party solutions?
• How many projects are you working on currently, and are you able to devote the required time that this project will take within the timeframe that I need?
• How long with the project take, and do you have enough information (from me) to give me a time estimate? What would be possible roadblocks (in your experience) that would extend the amount of time it takes, and how can we avoid those roadblocks?
• If we decide to part ways, will I be able to take my website elsewhere? Are there any reasons that I would not be able to move my website to another firm?
• If we like working with you, would you ever consider full-time?

Questions to ask a web design agency

•  Can you support my website long-term? Do you support other websites?
• What are your specialties in terms of coding or content management solutions? Do you specialize in one particular CMS over others? If so, why do you prefer this solution?
• What is your web design process like?
• How long with the project take, and do you have enough information (from me) to give me a time estimate? What would be possible roadblocks (in your experience) that would extend the amount of time it takes, and how can we avoid those roadblocks?
• If we decide to part ways, will I be able to take my website elsewhere? Are there any reasons that I would not be able to move my website to another firm?
• Can you train my team / company on how to use the content management system?
• Do you offer any post-launch website support services, maintenance or marketing?