If you are planning to hire a WordPress developer, then you might have a lot of questions buzzing in your head. You can’t decide how to approach it: whether to hire one full-time or part-time. At the same time, the budget factor is also something you need to consider. In this article, let us take a look at some of the major reasons why you should opt for hiring a freelancer and how to choose one.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Hiring a freelance WordPress developer can save time and money |
| A professional WordPress developer can help build a better website |
| Freelance WordPress developers can provide personalized solutions |
| Look for developers with experience and expertise in WordPress development |
| Communication and collaboration are key to a successful project |
1. You Can’t Do It Yourself
Maybe You’re A Great Writer, But You Only Have So Much Time In The Day. You Don’t Want To Spend Your Limited Free Time Learning How To Code, And Even If You Did, You Wouldn’t Know Where To Start Or What Type Of Code To Write For Your Individual Website Needs.
Or Maybe You Hate Writing And Are Looking For Someone Who Can Help Convey Your Message On Your Website. Plus, As An Artist Or Designer, Finding A Developer Who Understands Your Vision Is Really Important.
The Bottom Line Is That Using WordPress Isn’t Easy And It Shouldn’t Be. If It Were Easy, Everyone Would Have A Successful Business Website Built With WordPress By Now! The Truth Is That Many People Are Good At Certain Things And Not At Others, Which Is Why Hiring A Freelance Developer Makes Sense In Some Situations.
If you’re considering hiring a freelance web designer, our article on 15 reasons why hiring a freelance web designer may help you provides valuable insights into the advantages of working with a freelancer, including cost savings, flexibility, and specialization.
2. You Don’t Have Time To Do It Yourself
Time is money, and time is your most valuable resource. When you run a business, it’s important to be aware of where you’re spending your time and how the work you’re doing affects your bottom line.
When it comes to deciding whether or not to hire a WordPress developer, take into account how much time it will take to get this aspect of your website up and running, and then consider the alternative uses of that time. If you could be selling more products, or closing more deals, then a freelance WordPress developer might be the best way for you to use that precious resource.
3. You Want A Fresh Take On Your Website
WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world and it’s only going to get more popular. However, unlike other CMSs, WordPress is open source and you can completely customize it to suit your needs. It also allows for rapid development with a simple drag-and-drop interface. There are many advantages to using WordPress, but let’s be honest guys: WordPress has problems!
The fact is that WordPress today provides no support for many features you might want on your website. For example, if you need custom HTML and CSS code generated from within your posts or pages, chances are good that you need design skills as well which means hiring an in-house developer instead of a freelancer will save you time and money in the long run.
This is where we come in! We have spent years developing web applications and we have built websites using WordPress so we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to building a clean, responsive website with blazing fast load times without sacrificing security (a problem I’ve seen no one else address).
We can help you tackle the current limitations of WordPress by giving new ideas on how to improve its capabilities and after helping dozens of clients find their online representation, we can confidently say these suggestions work great for them!
4. You Want More Control Over The End Result
You want more control over the end result. Working with a traditional web agency means you have to deal with a lot of people. First, there’s the person who takes your project and decides how much it’s going to cost and what kind of team will execute it. Then there are the people working on your site/web app: front-end developers, back-end developers, designers, copywriters, etc.
The whole process can be overwhelming for some folks – especially if you’re an entrepreneur with a lot on your plate – and it could lead to confusion when trying to get what you want out of your project.
On the other hand, hiring a freelance WordPress developer gives you more control over the end result because there are not as many people involved on both ends of the relationship. All communication goes directly through that one point of contact instead of several individuals who may have different ideas about what they should be working on. This makes it easier to explain exactly what you need or want while also managing expectations throughout different stages of execution.
Starting a freelance web design business can be daunting, but our post on top 17 things to consider when starting a web design freelance business offers a comprehensive guide on how to set yourself up for success, from choosing a niche to setting rates and building a portfolio.
5. You Want To Save Money
If you’re on a tight budget and need a website, hiring a freelancer may be the best way to get your site built without breaking the bank. In general, hiring a freelance WordPress developer is much cheaper than hiring an in-house team or contracting an agency.
When you hire someone in-house, you have to pay their salary as well as health insurance and other benefits. You also have to pay for office space and equipment for your new employee. When you outsource work to freelancers, on the other hand, you only have to pay hourly or per-project rates that are typically much lower than what you would spend on an annual salary.
Hiring an agency can cost even more than hiring several freelancers at once particularly if you need customized development for your site rather than off-the-shelf solutions. Agencies often charge high retainer fees, which aren’t always practical for small businesses and entrepreneurs with limited resources. For this reason, working with freelance developers generally costs less upfront but still gives you access to professional coding talent when needed.
6. The Job Is Too Big For In-House Developers To Handle
If you’re a small business or startup, you probably have an operations budget. One of the most important parts of that budget is what you spend on your developers.
A great developer is, hands down, worth their weight in gold. But if your WordPress development project requires more work than that developer can feasibly do in a given amount of time, this could have the added effect of putting them behind with other projects and creating a lot of stress for everyone involved.
When hiring a freelancer to take on some or all of the burden, it’s easier to estimate how long the job will take (and create a rough estimate for how much it will cost) because they work on one task at a time don’t have any other distractions. If they get bogged down or fall behind schedule during one project, they can just move on to another until the first one starts moving along again.
7. You Need A Little Extra Help With An Upcoming Project
Perhaps you need to get an eCommerce store up and running for a new product ASAP. Maybe you have a web app that needs to be whipped into shape before it goes live on its intended release date. Or perhaps your team is already at full capacity and can’t take on any more projects but you’re still being asked by clients or upper management to deliver something big, without sacrificing anything else.
You might also want someone with a different skill set than your current team, or maybe you simply want another set of eyes on your project to make sure no bugs slip through the cracks.
Whatever the case may be, if any of the above sounds familiar and you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by your workload, it’s time to consider hiring an extra hand (even if only temporarily).
As a freelance web designer, having the right tools can save you time and increase your productivity. Our article on 10 web design tools that will make your life easier as a freelancer highlights some of the most useful tools on the market, from project management software to design and development tools.
8. You Need To Fill A Gap Left By A Departed Staff Member
Another major reason to hire a freelance developer is that you need to fill a gap left by a departed staff member. Whether through retirement, relocation or other reasons, hiring and onboarding new employees can be time-consuming. You need someone to fill in while you find a replacement for the departed employee and get them up to speed on all the latest procedures, protocols, and processes.
If this is a short-term or specialized project, often freelancers are your best option. Especially if it’s something that’s going to happen only once or twice over the life of your business, there’s no sense in bringing on another full-time staff member who will be idle after they complete their work.
A freelance developer can help you maintain productivity while also keeping your costs down by leaving when the project is completed.
9. In-House Developers Are Tied Up With Other Projects
In-house developers are a huge asset to your company, but they’re often busy working on other projects or supporting other teams. You can have millions of great ideas for your website and very little time to do them–or you may have the budget to hire more developers, but you don’t have the headcount available.
A freelance WordPress developer can be hired on an as-needed basis, and you can bring as many people on board as you need to get the job done. You won’t have to provide benefits or office space (freelancers work from home) and when the project is completed, by law you only need to provide a 1099 form during tax season!
10. You Need Assistance For Peak Times Of The Year
Perhaps you only need a developer for peak times of the year. Maybe your business is local and you want to focus on daily operations during the year, but need extra help during busy holiday seasons. Maybe you’re a global enterprise and want to cover the overnight shift, but don’t want to fund an entire team for that time slot.
Whatever your situation, it may make sense to hire a freelancer who can help fill in the gaps when needed. Just be sure to find someone with great communication skills who can fit into your organization seamlessly, even if it’s just temporarily.
Freelancers or outsourced companies offer better rates and faster turnaround times than in-house development teams.
Whether you need a simple bug fix or an entire eCommerce store built, hiring a full-time employee to do the job (either in-office or remote) can be time-consuming and expensive.
If you hire a freelancer or outsource a company, you can have your project up and running faster because they’ll have additional developers on staff to take on the work. This speeds up the development process so that it is completed in weeks instead of months.
Freelancers and outsourcing companies also offer better rates than in-house development teams. As with any industry, agencies can bulk purchase materials at wholesale prices. They also pass these wholesale savings onto clients.
Combined, these factors translate into major savings, whether you’re building a website from scratch or just making small updates to an existing site.
Choosing the right freelance web designer can be a challenge, but our post on how to tell if a freelance web designer is good or bad provides practical advice and tips on what to look for when evaluating candidates, from their portfolio and experience to their communication skills and work habits.
11. Your Operation Spans Multiple Time Zones And You Need Someone Who Can Work Overnight
If your operation spans multiple time zones and you need someone who can work on a project overnight, it’s best to hire from a country with a different time zone than yours. Working with someone who works while you sleep allows them to complete projects faster and cheaper. The quality of their work will also likely be higher since they won’t be tired or distracted at the end of the day.
When looking for overseas developers, make sure you find remote freelancers or companies located in countries that are known for providing high-quality services. You don’t want an inferior product just because it’s cheaper! In India, for example, freelance development costs less than $10 per hour but is still of good quality.
12. You Don’t Have Enough Cash Flow To Hire A Full-Time Person Right Now
Freelancers are typically good at managing their cash flow and have other clients so you don’t need to worry about them having a steady income. Plus, freelancers often have lower overhead than in-house developers because they work from home or in an office space that’s shared with other freelancers.
However, freelance WordPress developers can be expensive depending on their experience level and what kind of projects you’re looking for them to take on (like building websites or creating themes). If it is within your budget then hiring one could make a lot of sense especially if there isn’t enough work for an internal developer all year round but still some work during certain periods (like WordPress maintenance tasks during peak season).
To succeed as a freelance web designer, it’s important to have a strong understanding of business and marketing strategies. Our article on freelance web designers: 12 tips for freelancing success offers expert advice on how to build a successful freelance business, from setting goals and managing finances to marketing yourself and networking with clients.
Final Thought
We hope that our list of reasons to hire a freelance WordPress developer was useful, and you were able to take away some actionable advice. If you are looking for ways to improve your projects or blog, it’s not enough to study the plugins or find a top developer. Sometimes we need someone who is on the same page as we are. Yes, WordPress is open-source and free, but it can still get very expensive if we need custom functionality for specific needs. In short, hiring a freelancer is sometimes the best possible option for your project.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about why you should hire a WordPress developer, check out these helpful resources:
Should You Hire a WordPress Developer? by WordPress.com: This article provides an overview of the benefits of working with a WordPress developer, including custom design and development, website maintenance, and security updates.
Why Hire a Freelance WordPress Developer? by JS Web Dev: This blog post offers insights into why hiring a freelance WordPress developer can be a cost-effective and efficient option for businesses of all sizes.
Why You Need to Hire a Professional WordPress Developer by WP Tangerine: This article highlights the importance of working with a professional WordPress developer to ensure that your website is optimized for speed, security, and functionality.
FAQs
What are the benefits of hiring a WordPress developer?
Hiring a WordPress developer can provide numerous benefits for your website, including custom design and development, website maintenance, and security updates. Additionally, a WordPress developer can help optimize your site for speed and functionality, ensuring a positive user experience for your visitors.
How much does it cost to hire a WordPress developer?
The cost of hiring a WordPress developer can vary depending on the scope of the project and the level of experience of the developer. It’s important to communicate your budget and expectations clearly to ensure that you find a developer who can deliver high-quality work within your price range.
What should I look for in a WordPress developer?
When choosing a WordPress developer, look for someone with a strong portfolio of work, positive reviews and testimonials, and experience working on projects similar to yours. Good communication skills and a collaborative approach are also important factors to consider.
How long does it take to develop a WordPress website?
The timeline for developing a WordPress website can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the availability of resources, and the developer’s experience and workload. A basic WordPress site can be built in a matter of days, while a more complex site with custom features may take several weeks or even months to complete.
Do I need to have technical knowledge to work with a WordPress developer?
While it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of WordPress and website development, you don’t necessarily need to have technical knowledge to work with a WordPress developer. A good developer will be able to communicate technical concepts in plain language and guide you through the process step-by-step.
How Do I Choose A Freelance Developer?
You have a lot of options when choosing a developer, so it’s important to do your research before hiring anyone. Look at their portfolio and ask them questions about the work they’ve done they should be able to show off some completed projects that demonstrate their skills and experience in building websites.
Can They Design Beautiful Websites?
The most important thing is that they understand how WordPress works, but it also helps if they have experience designing beautiful websites. It’s not enough just to know how WordPress works; you also want someone who understands how to make your site look great with design elements like colors, fonts, images, etcetera all of which contribute toward creating an amazing user experience too!
What is a WordPress developer?
A WordPress developer is a person who specializes in creating and maintaining websites that use the popular content management system WordPress.
How Can I Hire A Freelance WordPress Developer?
You can post a job listing on Upwork or Guru and hire someone who has experience with WordPress. There are also agencies that specialize in hiring freelance developers for big projects.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.