While seeking services for your business, a lot of companies go through the turmoil of whether to hire freelancers or professional service providing companies. Here is a quick run down on some potential advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you make the bestchoice for you.
Ability to Deliver
Freelancers are independent workers. Though freelancers may be totally dedicated to their work and often produce more personalized and dedicated work product,
the lure of being their own master does have some draw-backs at some point or the other. For example, they may need to take a break or holiday during a time that you need them devoted to your work or they may need to pass over certain quality checks because it’s time to get some sleep. In addition, they can’t get others in their organization, especially specialists, to provide additional input into the project.
With companies, such draw-backs may not be as prevalent. Most companies generally have a larger team of experienced industry professionals to complete tasks for their clients. And since they work in an office environment, they are often subject to internal controls and procedures aimed at ensuring the best quality work is delivered. In addition, there are often a number of different specialists within the company that can all provide valuable input and comments on a project.
This round surely goes to Company people!
Flexibility
Flexibility – the very word screams ‘freelancers’. Imagine an urgent piece of work that you need done that does not fall in the usual realm of services your freelancer ordinarily provides to you. Because freelancers are usually very flexible, once you check that your freelancer has the time to do your new project, you can often just give them a brief of the specifications and nature of the work and it is done. It is often based on mutual trust and understanding. With companies, there are often more formalities involved with briefing urgent pieces of work.
Companies are often not as flexible. With all the communication lines open, you can often contact your service provider at any time for assistance that you might need. However, there is often a less personal connection between you and the company employee working for you. Even if that person likes you, they may not be able to do anything extra without company approval, which sometimes can require a fair share of paperwork.
This round belongs to the Freelancers!
Trust and Reputation Factor
Freelancers are independent and may not have the financial backing and reputational risks that a company has. You may find and hire a freelancer though B2B marketplaces and job portals that even testify to their credibility, but there is often no one to complain to if things go wrong. In some cases, you might consider making use of Escrow payments while dealing with freelancers.
Companies are businesses and often have a reputation in the market and many employees to pay. They often have a company website, a physical office and clients in the market. The trust factor is significantly heightened when you know you are dealing with another business who, like you, has a brand identity that it needs to protect and may be less likely to take your money and run.
Winner of this round – Companies
Pricing
In most cases, freelancers are a steal when it comes to pricing. They can charge you much cheaper prices for the services they deliver, largely because there are less over-head expenses associated with them running their freelance business. Hiring a freelancer often means huge savings in your cost figures.
With companies, however, you often pay for what you get. You cannot seek rock bottom prices when hiring professional service providing businesses, without seriously undermining the quality of the work they provide you.
As you can see, both freelancers and companies have their pros and cons. Speaking broadly, it is often better to hire freelancers for small contract projects that a one-off freelancer can perform. However, for more strategic processes of the business or for larger projects requiring numerous persons to be involved, it is often better to hire a professional service providing company.
Disclaimer : Sabra Easterday is the owner and founder of MatchB2B (matchb2b.net). Sabra is also a lawyer with a special interest in business issues and e-marketplaces. Notwithstanding that Sabra Easterday is a lawyer, nothing in this article and no services of MatchB2B or its website are legal services and no attorney-client relationship exists between any reader of this article or user, customer or potential customer of MatchB2B, and MatchB2B, its website or Sabra Easterday.
