WordPress is the most popular and widely used content management system (CMS) on the web, powering over a quarter of all websites on the Internet. The software is easy to use, relatively customizable, and free for everyone. It has become a household name in the world of web development because it's so simple to install, set up, and use.
Suppose you want a polished, professional-looking site with custom functionality and design elements. In that case, WordPress is the way the go. But, what options are available when it comes to hiring a third party to build your site for you?
One option is to connect with WordPress developers for hire. Your other option is to hire a design agency and outsource the whole development process. Choosing between the two can be pretty tricky.
In this article, we'll break down the differences between the two approaches and suggest which option is more suitable for you, considering your business objective and budget.
Differences Between a Freelancer and Development Service
Development services vs. freelancers is one of the most common questions asked by businesses seeking WordPress services. Both agencies and freelancers possess their advantages and disadvantages, making it hard for companies to choose between the two.
A WordPress freelancer is a professional who creates freelance or custom websites for individuals and small businesses. A WordPress development service is an organization that creates websites, content, and other digital assets for companies and large organizations.
The main difference between a freelancer and a development service is the scale at which they operate. While freelancers are only paid per project, development services offer a more stable income stream because they have additional clients.
Development services have more employees and higher salaries, whereas freelancers are primarily self-employed with lower wages and fewer benefits. This is one of the reasons why freelancers are much cheaper as compared to agencies.
Freelancers are preferable for startups and SMEs, whereas agencies and third-party service providers align with large-scale organizations and established businesses.
Working with a Freelance WordPress Developer
Freelance WordPress developers are experts in their field and can offer high-quality solutions for your website. Organizations typically hire WordPress developers to help create websites, e-commerce stores, blogs, and apps with WordPress themes.
When hiring a freelance WordPress developer, they must have a portfolio with examples of their past work. This will allow you to see what they have done before and what they can do for your website. When interviewing them, make sure that you ask them about pricing and ensure that they are clear on what is expected from both sides in terms of work and payment.
Benefits
1 The cheaper option: WordPress freelancers are more affordable than WordPress development agencies. Freelancers are also more cost-effective than service providers. They can be hired for a specific project or task, whereas an agency has to account for more than just one job.
2 Only hire when you need: When you hire freelancers, you are not only able to save money but also time. Hiring someone for a specific job is much cheaper than hiring an entire team of people. Freelancers can provide the expertise that your company needs, which saves your company time and money.
3 Greater flexibility: In addition to being cheaper than hiring an agency, freelancers also offer more flexibility. You can work with them on your own schedule, and they don't have to be available 24/7 like an agency would be.
Drawbacks
1 One person for everything: One person does everything. This can create problems such as inconsistency and create an unprofessional atmosphere. Freelancers don't have long-time commitments, leading to a lot of issues in the long run, such as a lack of motivation, a higher turnover rate, and lower productivity.
2 No defined process: The biggest drawback of hiring freelancers is that there isn't a defined process for managing projects. This lack of processes leads to miscommunication and unexpected outcomes, leading to rehiring and additional costs from failed projects that weren't properly managed.
3 Often take more time to deliver: While freelancers are usually more efficient than hiring full-time employees, they are not always the perfect solution. They might not provide work on time, and if they can't complete their tasks properly in the assigned time frame, it might lead to problems for their employers.
Working with a WordPress Development Service
WordPress agencies or development services provide different levels of support for their clients, from creating a customized website to an e-commerce store to just hosting it. If you're looking for a WordPress agency with an eye on your budget, make sure to scope out what kind of WordPress services they provide before signing any contracts.
Working with a WordPress development service can help your business build a professional website at a reasonable price. This can benefit companies who are not tech-savvy or don't have time to manage their own website.
WordPress agencies provide assistance in managing every step of the process, from setting up your new site to ongoing maintenance. This can be helpful for entrepreneurs who are busy running their businesses.
Benefits
1 Greater expertise: Experience is essential for any website looking for quality WordPress services and all-around attention to detail with regards to the design, performance, and functionality of their websites.
2 Well-defined processes: With the help of a WordPress agency, businesses can have well-defined processes in place, which can help them to quickly meet their deadlines. A well-defined process can benefit companies by managing expectations and ensuring that things go smoothly. It is easier to continue with regular tasks and achieve your goals with less effort overall when things go smoothly.
3 Emphasis on quality assurance: WordPress agencies can offer quality assurance through their experienced developers and designers. With their assistance, businesses can cut down on costs while improving organic search visibility and enhancing the reputation of their websites. Companies also get access to SEO tools that they could not have afforded due to limited budgets.
Drawbacks
1 Expensive to hire: One of the most significant drawbacks of hiring a WordPress agency is the cost associated with them. The price can be high for a small or medium-sized business owner, and some agencies charge up to $3,000 for just one project.
2 Often provide too much than what you need: WordPress development agencies often offer more than you need. They have an extensive list of tasks that they can work on, but sometimes these tasks are not required. One of the best ways to tell whether you need a WordPress agency is to know your goals and what you want your website to do for you.
3 Limited availability due to extensive client pool: A major drawback of hiring a website design agency is that they usually have a vast client pool. As a result, they don't have enough time to take on more clients.
What Should You Choose?
The difference between hiring a freelancer and hiring an agency can be roughly divided into two categories—time & cost, as well as quality & workflow. Freelancers often have flexibility in the time they can work on your project. In contrast, agencies typically have more experience managing projects from start to finish. The decision ultimately depends on what matters most for your business—efficiency or experience.
The decision to hire a WordPress freelancer or agency is a personal one. The process and the outcome will be very different depending on your budget and skill level.
Hire a WordPress freelancer if you need someone to work on a specific piece of content and have a clear idea of what type of content it is with a limited budget.
Hire an agency if your project requires more than one person on staff and more time-specific projects with an open-ended budget.
Wrapping Things Up!
WordPress development agencies are often better equipped to develop websites that have a lot of users and need constant updates due to their overhead costs. Suppose you run a small business or blog that needs some custom functionality. In that case, a freelancer is probably the way to go.
This article compares and contrasts the benefits of working with a WordPress development agency and hiring a freelance developer. If you would like to discuss your project further before deciding, please get in touch with us today.
