What will help you achieve your goals fast without breaking the bank? We’ll review the pros and cons of utilizing freelancers vs in-house vs agencies for design. You can get the results you want with any of these three strategies, but each one has its own set of pros and cons.
There’s no need to put any of these choices in a box, it’s best if we explain them so that you can make the best decision for your particular case.
In-House Designer
Pros:
Sometimes having an in-house designer is cheaper than getting projects done individually. If you hire the right person, an in-house designer is always there to help during work hours. Assuming they are dedicated employees who attend meetings, stay late, and go the extra mile, they can be quite a blessing. You also get to nurture this one individual to understand your business more deeply.
Cons:
Having an employee is a huge responsibility and liability. Once an employee passes their probation period, it becomes difficult to replace them. If their work diminishes and their interest starts to wane, you might continue to pay them off until you find a replacement.
If your company faces financial difficulties, you can’t simply send them on an unpaid holiday. After working for a company for a while, many employees become bored and lose motivation. Employees can also be limiting in the sense that they tend to have their own way of doing things and may not respond well to feedback and requests for improvement.
If you are a manager or CEO, you’ve probably dealt with employee entitlement as well. Employees also require training and you only get one person’s version of the project, especially if they don’t take feedback well. This is an important factor when considering in-house vs agency.
Related: How Much Should a Logo Cost?
Design Agency
Pros:
You only pay for what you need, which means you don’t worry about hours week-in, week-out. Another great thing about agencies is that they have extensive staff and systems in place to ensure quality results in specific timeframes.
You get to speak directly with a project manager who’s done this before and can ensure great results. Some agencies, including Revision Agency, are available 24/7 for support, unlike a regular full-time employee. With an agency, you’re dealing with trained professionals as opposed to an employee to foster.
Agencies often bring a multitude of experiences from different industries. There’s no sense of entitlement, and you don’t have to pay for desks, equipment, software, or any other employee-related expenses.
Cons:
Depending on the agency and the project, some projects can be expensive. It can feel less personal in the sense that you don’t get to see that person every day necessarily. There will be a gap in the depth of knowledge between an employee and a project director. Some agencies are not good at maintaining communication. There are clues in the beginning; just make sure you hire the right agency! If possible, get on a call with them. These are the main factors to consider when evaluating in-house vs agency.
Related: 6 Ways to Avoid Costly Problems with Digital Marketing Agencies
Freelance Designer
Pros:
Freelancers are often useful for short-term projects. This is because the commitment is minimal and they’re usually fairly cost-effective. You can develop a positive relationship with freelancers as they tend to care about their results and will work with you.
Freelancers tend to have more variety in their experience than in-house employees and this can lead to higher quality results. If you have a big budget, you could even hire a few freelancers at once and see who’s delivering for you.
Here’s a study on the use and value of freelancers.
Cons:
There’s a glaring lack of commitment in this situation. They usually charge per project or per day and could leave at any time. Since you’re relying on a single freelancer, if they fall through, the forward momentum of your business could be in jeopardy. Depending on the freelancer, you might end up in a situation where they are often late and don’t reply to your messages and/or calls.
Related: How to Hire the Best Website Design Company
Conclusion
When it comes to hiring an agency vs freelancer vs in-house designer, it depends on your project and your budget. However, agencies are one of the safer options. Employees can really pay off if they’re dedicated, but many employees lose interest and quality over time. Freelancers tend to be best for short-term projects since there is no commitment involved. Consider what kind of results you’re going for as well as your budget, and make the best decision for you.
Did we miss some important points? Please let us know in the comments below!
