If you take care of team management and have ever had to choose freelancer vs agency, you surely know that making such a decision can be difficult. Which option is better? There is not one right answer to this question as it depends on many factors.
What does the cooperation with a freelancer look like?
Freelancer vs agency? – this question cannot be answered without an in-depth analysis. Thus:
Freelancers are the people who search for clients on their own using a network of contacts, social media groups, intermediary portals, and websites with job offers. People who have at least once decided to use the services of a freelancer must admit that this form of cooperation has a very long list of advantages. These include:
- fast and efficient communication – during the cooperation with a freelancer, you have direct and constant contact with the person delivering the project. Therefore, communication is much easier and faster. You do not have to think about which department to contact with the problem you have come across. You can get in touch with the freelancer directly and, in most cases, receive an immediate response. To ensure good communication, remember to create a brief for your freelancer;
- lower costs – the vast majority of freelancers work remotely. It means they do not incur such operating costs as agencies do daily. It directly translates into lower prices for their services;
- high flexibility – freelancers usually show high flexibility when it comes to adapting to individual client needs and imposed deadlines.
As you can see, it is safe to say that cooperation with a freelancer has almost only advantages. Direct contact is a great convenience and allows you to solve any problems almost immediately. The cooperation process itself is simplified to a maximum. You have a project, find a freelancer willing to deliver it, set the terms of cooperation with them, and wait for the results. It is worth adding that any corrections are usually made free of charge and as a priority. These are all advantages of hiring freelancers.
What does cooperation with an agency look like?
Freelancer vs agency – is a freelancer always a better choice? To answer this question, it is worth taking a look at the advantages and disadvantages of working with an agency.
Agencies usually offer a wide range of services and employ many specialists in various fields. It allows them to efficiently execute complex orders. However, contrary to what you may think, working with an agency is not entirely advantageous. When deciding on such cooperation, you should expect:
- longer communication process – during the cooperation with the agency, you often have to communicate with several people from different departments. It can lead to misunderstandings and prolong the project delivery process;
- higher costs – agencies employ many people and have higher operating costs. It means that their services are often much more expensive than those of freelancers;
- less flexibility – agencies often set certain procedures and standards in advance, which translates into less flexibility in adapting to client needs;
- longer delivery time – in agencies, many people often work on one project. Every stage of the project is delivered separately and then approved. The work goes through many hands, so the delivery time can be extended.
When should you choose to cooperate with an agency?
Freelancer vs agency – are freelancers better? In most cases, this statement is true, but not always. Working with an agency should be considered, especially when you need comprehensive services that require the cooperation of many specialists. It often happens in the case of extensive projects that cannot be handled by one person.
An agency can be a good solution for you if the higher price of services is not an obstacle. Do you have a large budget, and cutting it is not crucial? You can hire a professional agency.
The cooperation with an agency is often chosen by clients who like the agency’s working style – procedures and standards set in advance. While cooperation with a freelancer is rather casual, agencies work according to a plan.
Freelancer vs agency – when is choosing a freelancer a better idea?
Freelancer vs agency – many clients face this dilemma. Well, in many situations, a freelancer turns out to be a better choice.
If you have an urgent project that needs to be completed quickly, consider that it only takes a few moments to start a cooperation with a freelancer. Setting the terms of cooperation with the agency takes a lot more time.
Is your project not too big, and one person should be able to handle it easily? Freelancer is your best possible option! In addition, if you need an individual approach to the project and greater flexibility, it is the freelancer who can guarantee it.
What is more, you can use the services of a freelancer whenever you are on a limited budget and must look for savings. The prices of freelancers’ services are much lower than the agency’s price lists.
Why is working with a freelancer a better choice?
Considering the freelancer vs agency issue, there are many reasons why a freelancer is usually a much better choice than an agency. First of all, you can work with a person you know personally or have been recommended to you. It can significantly speed up the process of cooperation and positively influence the level of trust in the project contractor.
In addition, there is a very quick and easy way of paying freelancers. With Useme, you can easily and legally pay the subcontractors you choose to work with, people recommended to you, and even your friends. Useme takes care of all formalities, such as preparing a contract for your subcontractor, correct qualification of the jobs, or tax settlement. At this point, you can focus on what you care about the most. At the end of the cooperation, you receive an invoice, even if the freelancer does not have a company.
All you need to do to start is request an invoice from your freelancer by describing the job that needs to be done. Click the button below to request an invoice from your freelancer.
To sum up, the choice of freelancer vs agency depends on your individual needs and the type of job that needs to be done. An important aspect is also choosing the right freelancer. However, deciding to cooparate and manage freelancers is a particularly attractive option, especially when you look for speed (AI tools to collaborate with freelancers can help you out with that aspect), flexibility, and lower costs.
