In this digital-driven world we live in today, it is the expectation of every business to have a strong online presence. Your website is usually where your potential customers first get an impression of your brand. Most of the time, priding yourself on delivering a fully functioning website that establishes brand equity will turn your potential customers into loyal customers. One thing that when developing or redesigning a website you’re going to decide is whether to hire a freelancer or work with a professional website design company. Although a freelancer may sometimes be cheaper, I can assure you that hiring a credible company has long-term advantages that initially cost more. Professional website design companies provide a unique design experience that accomplishes your business’s goals faster than a freelancer. These unique experiences can range from affordable website design packages to guaranteed timelines such as “website in a week.”
- Professional Diversified Expertise and Team Building; Website design companies employ people across a wide variety of skill sets; they employ designers, developers, content strategists, etc. This means that every component of your website is being completed by an expert in some area (design, functionality). Freelancers usually work alone or mix design and build together, and may not have much skill or knowledge regarding a specific area of web development. Website design companies provide a collaborative process, so you can expect a professional outcome.
- Transparent Costs and Clear Pricing: Many organisations are apprehensive about professional website development costs when working with an agency. The truth is that a lot of companies will offer affordable packages that lay out precisely what you are purchasing when it comes to web design. Most will include the design, the development, revisions and sometimes even basic search engine optimisation setup in their packages. A freelance solution may quote you a low upfront cost for a web design, but later will often charge you additional fees for each service they implement.
- Faster Completion: Time is money, as the saying goes and this is especially true for business. A professional website design agency can write your website in a week or within a pre-defined time frame because they have a team of people working at the same time on the different parts of your project. A freelance designer may have to work on your website sequentially when they complete other customer projects or are over-scheduled with other jobs.
- Access to Better Tools and Technology: A website design agency invests in premium tools, licensed software and technology. This means you will be getting the latest features, the best security and improved performance for your website in comparison to a freelancer who is typically relying on basic tools and/or free versions, which greatly limit the functionality and scalability of your website.
- Operation and Support: A website is not a one-and-done scenario; a website will need to be supported, updated, bug fixed and improved upon. Professional companies typically have maintenance plans built into their affordable website design packages. This way, you can keep your website up to date and secure. With freelancers, you will likely not have access to someone for future support once the project is complete.
- Better Project Management: When you work with a company, you will generally have a project manager dedicated to keeping you updated on your project’s progress and ensuring that deadlines are met. This minimises the amount of potential miscommunication and saves you from the pain of needing to follow up on progress over and over again. Most freelancers often take on multiple projects after yours and do not have formal methods of project management. This can jeopardise your deadlines and cause miscommunication.
- Scalability and Future Needs: As you grow your business, you may need to add new functionality to your website, such as e-commerce, booking systems, or integration with third-party tools. You will also get a clear idea of the following: professional website development cost, various affordable website design packages and the time to deliver your final product. A website design company will have the team and resources to scale your project with ease. A freelancer may struggle to keep up with a more significant or complex need as you evolve.
- Professional Image and Credibility: A well-designed and professional website provides your business with more credibility. A website design company will have processes that focus on presenting your brand identity in the design, creating a good user experience and enabling conversions. Freelancers work on a project basis, and there is always a risk of error in inconsistent design or lack of polish that can hurt your business’s brand image.
- Risk Reduction and Reliability: By using a registered website design company, you can add an extra level of trust and legal protection. Contracts, warranties, and service level agreements provide accountability for the service you paid for. When dealing with freelancers, there is more risk of disappearing halfway through the project or providing a poor, non-professional service due to the lack of a formal structure.
Final Thoughts:
While Freelancers may appear to be the cheapest option up front, the risks and non-committal service can lead to hidden expenses and frustration in the future. A professional website design company offers websites at an affordable price, delivers a professional website in about a week when requested and offers transparency of the professional website development cost. Their professionalism, structured process and commitment towards their clients make them the sensible choice for any business genuinely wanting to grow in the online environment.
When you hire a company, you are not just paying for a website; you are investing in your brand’s future with a partner who understands your goals and can help you reach them.