Not long ago, we had the delightful chance to assist a client feeling stuck in their web development journey. They had put months of their time and energy into creating a completely new website with someone they had high hopes for. On the first look, it was fantastic! It was so attractive! But after the grand launch of their site, the reality struck that the site turned out to be quite the opposite of what the client had in mind: it had very slow loading speeds and was non-mobile responsive, among other problems. A rollercoaster of excitement crashed-landed into a terrible ordeal! Yet we were determined to overcome the obstacle and change their web experience into something new!
Do you know why the client’s previous website launch with a freelancer took longer than expected?
That’s because only one person was responsible for the website’s design, development, testing, and other facets. There was no plan for updates, no strategy for attracting visitors, and no method of measuring the website’s performance. This is not a new thing. Many companies wrongly think a single person can build a website from beginning to end. The truth is that a good website is a combination of abilities and viewpoints: the ‘look-and-feel’ of the site is perfected by designers, the smooth working of the site is in the hands of the developers, the SEO experts get the traffic, and the strategists carry out the business goals.
Consider this: 53% of users will leave a site that takes over 3 seconds to load, and mobile traffic accounts for more than half of all web visits. One way of doing this would be assigning a group of specialists who undertake all the mentioned performance optimization tasks and provide help whenever necessary. Wouldn’t that have helped the client launch their website before deadlines, with all its components taken care of? 
This is precisely what this blog explores: Hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website. In our humble opinion, and possibly without bias, hiring a web design company to handle the website development process is a wise choice and the only method to make your site a robust digital marketing machine, not the leading cause of frustration.
We've prepared a detailed comparison to help you choose between hiring a web design and development team or an individual. This table highlights key factors like skills, cost, time, and project size, providing a clearer understanding of each option. By evaluating a team's strengths versus an individual, you can select the best fit for your needs, ensuring your project is completed with quality, speed, and reliable support. Let's explore how choosing the right option can improve your website and overall experience.
|
Aspect |
Web Design and Development Team |
Individual Professional |
|
Team Composition |
Includes multiple specialists for each role: web designers, developers, UX/UI experts, project managers, etc. |
One person handling multiple roles such as design, development, writing, and, project management. |
|
Expertise |
Each specialist carries respective expertise in different areas (design, front-end, back-end, SEO, content strategy etc.). |
Surface-level expertise, lacking deep specialization in certain areas. |
|
Project Scope |
Capable of handling large, complex projects with diverse requirements. |
Better suited for smaller, less complex projects with manageable scope. |
|
Collaboration |
Requires effective team communication and coordination, which can increase time and cost. |
More direct communication; fewer layers of decision-making. |
|
Time to Completion |
Shorter, as tasks are divided, and simultaneously accomplished in each area. |
Longer, as one person handles all the tasks. |
|
Cost |
Negotiable, due to the involvement of multiple team members, with varied skill sets. |
Generally more expensive, as a single professional with limited expertise may charge more for extra features |
|
Project Flexibility |
Can adapt to large changes in scope due to multiple resources available. |
Limited flexibility due to capacity and expertise constraints. |
|
Quality Control |
More rigorous, with dedicated QA personnel. |
Less robust, as one person may miss issues. |
|
Consistency |
High, as each team member focuses on specific aspects of design and development. |
Low; may struggle with consistency if managing multiple responsibilities |
|
Maintenance and Updates |
Easier to manage over time due to the team's collective capacity and specialization. |
May struggle with long-term maintenance as one person handles everything. |
|
Creativity |
A diverse team brings different perspectives, fostering innovation. |
Creative vision may be more limited to the individual’s skill set and experience. |
|
Risk of Burnout |
Spread out among team members, lowering the risk of burnout for any one person. |
Higher risk of burnout due to handling all aspects of the project. |
The saying, "None of us is as smart as all of us," is a cliche for a reason- a team possesses the combined strength enabled by collaboration, where, as a result, more ideas are generated, quicker problem-solving takes place, and the result is better than any of the parts alone.
Imagine this scenario: If only one person has to focus on the design, coding, content, and optimization of a website, they can still be successful for a short time until they make a mistake and the whole project falls apart. However, a team is an entirely different story. They are like jugglers who are in sync.
These specialists work according to a client’s demands in unison, immediately jumping to the rescue if an unforeseen emergency strikes.
Studies show that teams solve problems faster when hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website. According to research from MIT, diverse teams outperform lone experts because they combine different perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions. A professional UX/UI designer will craft a tailor-made, mobile-friendly interface for your website while the strategists and developers concentrate on the technical and business expansion challenges.
The following figure indicates differences in the performance of website development company vs independent professional, according to the complexity of the task. The effectiveness of individuals on the more straightforward tasks is at the top but drops to 60% with an increase in complexity. In contrast, teams and their performance increase from 85% to 94% when the task's difficulty is increased.
Accountability is an aspect that we should always bear in mind. When hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website, you don't expect just one person to remember every deadline, fix all the bugs, or be the one to spin the website's content in thin air. Every member has expertise, takes responsibility, and contributes to the job execution through collaboration. In a way, it can be likened to the group projects in school where, this time, however, everybody contributes their share in the company for a salary.
Why is website development company vs independent professional simply better? Working on a team to create a website requires fewer compromises and more collaborative work, leading to more desirable results. Are you looking for more evidence about how teamwork makes the dream work? If we consider the example of Leonardo da Vinci – even a genius of his caliber was never alone; he had people who helped and collaborated with him. Your website undoubtedly should be no different.
The success of your website has nothing to do with the competence of a single worker alone in the website development field. The main factor, however, is assembling the appropriate website development team right from the start. Many websites fail to go live because the business owners underestimate the process. Without a dedicated web development team, your project cannot overcome roadblocks. The problems you can face are incorrect design, lousy user experience, or slow load times that directly affect your website’s performance. A website design team vs freelancer is the best way of handling your website’s challenges early on. This way, each area of your website will be dealt with by an expert, resulting in a solid, working, and expandable site.
Here Are The Top Reasons Why You Must Hire A Website Development Company Vs Independent Freelancer:
One of the pitfalls of bringing in an individual to build your website is that you rely solely on their specialized expertise. Even if an individual developer is a wizard in coding, they might not be able to aesthetically pull off the site, write captivating content, or analyze the market to position your brand favorably. Here’s undeniable evidence for hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website: Teams often provide contracts with clear terms on deliverables, deadlines, and post-launch support. The Freelance Institute (2021) points out that freelancers may sometimes offer less formal contracts, which can lead to ambiguities regarding scope and timelines.
When you choose not to hire a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website, deadlines are often the first to be forgotten when a single professional begins to create a website. The complexity of this process calls for countless problem-solving stages and a lot of testing and adjustments, so the timeline keeps moving on and, therefore, delays.
Each person is assigned a particular role in the team, which, in turn, would improve time management and ensure that all the tasks are finished within the stipulated time frame. Take note, for instance, that a developer can code, a content creator can write copy, and a designer can refine the website layout simultaneously. This segregation of workload keeps projects on track and guarantees the fulfillment of the launch deadlines.
What do you do if the person building your website falls ill, takes time off, or doesn't follow through with their responsibilities? Without a backup plan and relying on a single developer, your website's development could halt. We've all heard about projects getting delayed because of unforeseen personal issues. That’s not all, freelancers are often notorious for procrastinating since their project delivery depends on personal motivation and zero external agents of accountability. This is a frequent problem when there's no one else available to pick up the slack and keep the project moving forward.
According to a Capterra survey, 60% of small businesses reported issues with project timelines due to unforeseen developer setbacks. When you have a team, there's always someone ready to assist if needed. If one member encounters an issue, another can handle the work. Teams provide multiple perspectives from the beginning, which helps minimize the risk of missing crucial details if one person overlooks them.
Launching a website is just the beginning. What happens when something breaks? When does a new feature need to be added? Or when your site needs an update? With a solo developer, you’re left with limited options once the site is live. They may be rigid to contact or unwilling to provide long-term support after the project ends. According to Clutch, 51% of clients say that the maintenance phase is the most critical part of web development. A team, however, offers ongoing support and maintenance. Whether updating content, optimizing for new SEO trends, or addressing security concerns, a website design company vs independent contractor ensures that your website stays relevant and performs well long after the launch.
Keeping your website secure is essential. Small businesses are frequent targets for cyberattacks, and a single developer might not have all the necessary skills to protect your site effectively. Hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website benefits you here because a team brings cybersecurity experts who perform vulnerability tests, implement strong encryption, and update security patches regularly. This collaborative effort ensures your website stays safe for your users.
Cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated every day. Reports show that more than 30,000 websites are hacked daily. This staggering number highlights the need for professionals who can understand and prevent these risks. Website security shouldn't be overlooked; it's crucial for your website’s ongoing success and durability. With a team, you can be assured your site is well-protected, something one person alone can't promise.
Making sure a website is top-quality covers more than just fixing coding mistakes. It involves checking design, speed, and how well it works on different devices. When one person is responsible for everything, they might overlook some details because they have too much on their plate. For example, a website might look good on a laptop but not on a smartphone, or it might load slowly, causing user frustration. A team can handle this better, as they have the skills to examine every aspect thoroughly. With different expertise, team members ensure each part of the website meets high standards.
When you rely on a single person to build your website, the risk of missing a cohesive strategy increases. A website isn’t just about looking good or functioning well; it’s about aligning every element with your business goals.
An individual might not have the experience or tools to comprehensively consider brand personas, buyer personas, or user experience testing. A team brings these perspectives together, ensuring every decision supports your business’s long-term success.
Websites change over time, and what suits your business now might not work as it expands. Initially, a single developer can create a functional website, but growth brings complexity. Adding elements like an online store, more payment gateways, integrating new APIs, or enhancing performance often demands more than one person can offer.
When it concerns future website expansion, you may not get adequate freelancer vs web design company. They design websites to be adaptable and scalable, accommodating new features, increased traffic, and changing business needs. For instance, Spotify started as a music streaming service, but their team built it to grow, enabling them to add podcasts, videos, and more without overhauling the system. The visible differences between Spotify’s UI when it was first launched vs. how its website looks today are evidence of its growth in complexity.
Intellectual property ownership and copyright violations are common points of content in deciding to hire between freelancer vs web design company. Consider this: freelance designers, writers, and programmers often work independently, leading to confusion about who owns the codes, write-ups, and designs they produce. This can cause problems for both the freelancer and the client.
To avoid such issues, it's crucial to clearly outline ownership in a contract before starting any work. This means stating whether the freelancer keeps ownership of their creations or if you, as a client, gain full rights after payment. It's also important to discuss any rules about how the work can be used or if there are any licensing terms. By doing this, both parties can ensure they understand each other, helping to build a professional relationship based on trust and clear expectations.
Hiring a freelancer vs web design company might give the impression that they're solely focused on your project, but often, they're handling several projects simultaneously. Freelancers work hard to meet clients' needs, but balancing multiple jobs can cause mistakes. Depending on them to spot and fix your errors isn't always reliable. On the other hand, working with a team brings a different dynamic. With a project manager guiding the project, you can expect swift changes and clear direction. This teamwork reduces the need for final edits and speeds up the process, bringing your ideas to life more accurately and quickly.
While hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website, there's a significant risk of upsetting the person doing the job–as is the case with most creative work. Unlike team members, freelancers have to talk to clients by themselves, and keeping in touch with everyone isn't easy. In a team, a project manager is a diplomat, addressing issues and finding solutions that benefit everyone involved. Project managers have specific responsibilities and are experienced in handling various clients, quickly addressing any issues or quarrels that arise. Moreover, teams bring an air of disciplined dedication, competition, and the thirst to work collaboratively to surpass their competitors. 
When hiring a web design agency vs freelancer for building a website, some myths can make decision-makers hesitate. But let’s bust these misconceptions wide open and set the record straight. Spoiler alert: teams are not only necessary, but they’re the secret sauce to building a website that works!
Whether you hire website design company, not individuals, building a website isn't cheap. Hiring one person saves money, but that belief can be misleading. When you hire just one individual, you depend on them for everything—design, development, and content—which can sometimes lead to expensive mistakes or hold-ups. Hiring a team might seem like a higher upfront cost, but you're paying specialists who know how to get things right first, saving you time and money. Websites are an investment, so choosing the option that guarantees quality and peace of mind is wise. Ask yourself:
Hiring a team might seem expensive initially, but it's crucial to consider the hidden costs of working with just a single developer. You might face delays, the risk of them leaving before the project is done, and expenses for correcting their mistakes. A team is the smarter option because they bring a mix of skills and can solve problems faster, adjust to changes, and do the job right the first time. This investment means fewer costly errors, saving you time, money, and stress. Think about how much you’d spend to avoid last-minute chaos if one person couldn't finish the work.
Your idea may stand out in a sea of mediocrity, yet successful projects thrive on a mix of different ideas and skills. Even with great creativity, having a professional website development company vs freelancer by your side to give feedback and question your biases improves the final result. Relying on just one person for your website means putting all your hopes in one plan. What if that plan fails?
Think about this:
Having a great idea doesn't always mean you should do it alone. A team with various skills can do a better job. Imagine cooking a fancy meal with only one ingredient; it wouldn't taste as good. In the same way, bringing a website development company vs freelancer on board offers different perspectives, skills, and creative ideas that can improve your website beyond what you could do by yourself. While one person might have a clear idea, a team can enhance and refine it, making it stand out in the market. Even the most brilliant ideas can improve when more people contribute their thoughts and insights.
Indeed, you can build your website by yourself. You might be doing this because of budget constraints or a desire to learn skills like coding and design. However, think about how your time and energy could be better spent on activities that grow your business. Instead of learning coding languages and design tools, you could focus on attracting customers, turning them into clients, and making the payment process efficient. A well-designed, professional website is essential for your business's growth. So, why take the chance on a less effective website when you can collaborate with experts who know the critical role a suitable website plays in your business strategy?
Many people mistakenly believe hiring a team is just for big companies with large budgets. A case study proves otherwise: A small healthcare clinic wanted to boost its online presence. They aimed to create a modern, easy-to-navigate website to draw in more patients and expand their practice.
Here’s what we did:
In just a year, the clinic experienced a 25-30% increase in patient appointments. This success came from trusting a team that expertly combined technology, marketing, and design strategies. By doing so, the clinic could prioritize delivering high-quality healthcare while its improved online presence brought in more patients and fueled business growth. This case demonstrates that having a skilled team is valuable for businesses of all sizes, not just large companies, as long as the goals are clear and the planning is well executed.
Here's the truth: a developer excels at coding but can't handle everything your website needs. They aren't equipped to design its look, optimize it for SEO to improve Google search visibility, write compelling content, or ensure it's easy to navigate. Each of these tasks needs an expert in that specific area. Consider how unrealistic it is to expect a developer to handle marketing and improve your site's Google ranking—it won't work.
Creating a website involves much more than coding; developers can't do it alone. While they are great at writing code, other essential tasks need attention. For instance, who ensures the design is attractive? Who makes sure the site loads quickly and effectively turns visitors into customers? A website needs more than just functioning code to be successful. It must offer a good user experience, be visually appealing, rank well in search engines, and provide quality content. All these elements must come together to create a website that works well and captures and holds visitors' interest.
A developer can't do all these different tasks well alone. Hiring a team lets you get specialists in each area—like designers, content writers, and SEO experts. These professionals ensure your website functions correctly, looks fantastic, and outshines competitors' sites.
Imagine building a house on your own. You may know how to lay bricks or paint walls, but what about handling the electrical work, plumbing, or architectural design? Creating a website is much the same. It needs specialized skills, a clear plan, and teamwork to stand out. This is why hiring a team of website designers can be a game-changer:
When you have a team, you hire workers and collaborate with people who tackle challenges, innovate, and strategize. These team members are dedicated to your success just like you are. It's not merely about finishing tasks; it's about achieving outstanding results.
Now that you've seen how beneficial a dedicated team can be for your website, it's time to find the right people to make it happen. Creating a website isn't just about technical skills; it requires a blend of planning, strategy, design, development, and ongoing improvement, all working harmoniously.
At JanBask Digital Design, we know this well. We understand that the best websites are thoughtfully crafted to meet your goals. That's why we begin every project with a detailed plan. We try to understand your business, target audience, and vision from the outset.
Our team comprises SEO experts, copywriters, designers, developers, and digital strategists, all working together to ensure every part of your site is optimized. We go beyond aesthetics or coding; we focus on making your site user-friendly, ensuring it ranks well on search engines, and designing it to turn visitors into customers. Let's create something that looks good and helps your business thrive.
Contact us today to take your first step towards digital success!
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