Freelance
Platforms Freelance
Using a freelancer can seem like a great option (no, your nephew in high school coding class doesn’t count). With a freelancer, you’ll get one-on-one support and you’re not required to do any of the heavy lifting. But you’re also taking a bit of a risk by putting your trust in a single person. Here’s what we’ve found:
Pros
Pros
you're off the hook.
If you’re using a freelance designer, that means you’re not doing the work. What a relief right?
get your customization on.
Since you’re working with someone who’s dedicated to your project, you can (and should) get a little picky. That means a custom design that doesn’t look like a bunch of others out there.
solid support.
A good freelancer takes your calls and is there to answer all of your questions. Forget about scrolling through endless FAQs. And you’re able to have conversations about your vision for your website — a big plus.
VIEW CONS
Cons
Cons
pay up.
Hiring a freelancer costs a pretty penny (up to $10,000). It’s by far the most expensive option and most require a large up-front free.
it's a gamble.
Freelance website developers have a bit of a bad rap, and that’s because there’s a lot of scammers out there. Stories of freelancers cashing checks but never completing projects are all too common. And searching for a good one takes up valuable time.
your website is live. now what?
Once your site is live, your freelancer calls it a wrap. That means that any changes you need to make in the future will come with a fee (try about $120 per hour). And if you want your site to be successful, you have to make ongoing changes.
you're in the dark.
Because you’re giving someone else complete control of your site, they can leave you out of the details. Who’s hosting your site? What platform is your site built on? Who’s managing your DNS settings? What are you doing for SEO? These are all things you need to make sure you’re filled in on before your freelancer completes your project.
sit there and wait.
Because your freelancer is building your site from scratch, it’s going to take a while. Expect a long turnaround time.
WHAT IT MEANS
If there’s only one thing you take away from our experience with freelancers it’s this: Buyer beware. If you choose this option, do a lot of research to make sure you’re using someone trustworthy. Ready to keep exploring other options? Check out our take on DIY or do-it-for-me solutions.