So your company is growing. Things are exciting. Everyone is motivated and ideas come from left and right.
Then it happens.
They say something like, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could develop a revolutionary idea here?[revolutionaryiderehere[revolutionaryideahere]]? It would cut costs / generate a lot of new leads / change the way we work. “
The team gathers around the idea, the boss gives you the wink and the gun, everything feels right in the world – until fear hits. Who will build it
Hiring your first freelance developer may seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan and understanding of your company’s needs, finding the right freelancer for the job can be largely painless.
I have worked on both sides of this equation as an independent, freelance web developer and as someone who leads a large development team. Follow these steps to make the process smoother for you and your new freelance partner.
How to hire a freelance web developer
First ask yourself: What do I need?
Before you identify a freelancer you want to work with, you should first know what you are asking for. This should always be step number one. Do you want to update some images on a website? Do you need a completely new page? Is it a mobile app? Is there something wrong with your analysis? Do you need a new tool created?
The answer to one of these questions sets the tone for how you start your search and who you ultimately hire.
After you’ve identified the project type, it’s time to think about the scope and how your freelancer fits into the equation. When you find that special person, you want to tell him exactly what you need. Is it five pages and two emails? What is the content of these pages? Do you have a design Is any of the content dynamic? And above all, what time is it?
Before entering the hiring process, make sure that you can define everything in advance. Don’t leave anything to chance or assumptions – we all know what happens when you assume it, don’t we?
If you have all of this information in advance, you can identify the skills you are looking for in a developer (we are not a one-size-fits-all solution) and ensure that your project is completed on time as you expect.
Another big advantage of scoping is that it also helps you avoid it Scope creep as your project progresses. Scope creep is bad. It is bad for you and it is bad for the freelancer.
It’s bad for you because it costs extra money and (probably) forces you to miss your deadline. It is bad for the freelancer because he has worked on a certain set of criteria that is now being expanded or blown up. It will also (probably) prevent them from starting other projects on time, which will cost them money.
Second, ask yourself: Do I need a web developer?
It is also important to keep in mind that you may not need a web developer.
If you’re trying to find someone to help you create a subdomain or a more personalized corporate website, you can use one CMS like HubSpots.
Where to hire a freelance web developer
After we know exactly what we’re hiring someone for, we’re looking for your developer. Assuming you don’t have anyone in mind yet, there are a number of places on the Internet where you can find strong developers.
Check out websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com for freelance help. You can search developers by ratings, location, and skills. Do you remember the little exercise you did earlier? Now you know whether you are looking for someone with CSS chops or whether they need to know JavaScript.
Check out some projects that have already been completed. If you like what you see, contact us and ask questions, but be respectful. You haven’t hired this person yet. The time she spends with you is the time she doesn’t spend on another project. When you are sure that you have found your developer, it is time to make a deal.
Let’s do a deal.
You have found your developer. You know what they’re building. Now it’s time to put it on paper. Handshakes are cool, as are verbal agreements, but make sure you get them in writing. This is not to say that you are being cheated on. The reason why you want a contract is because you have set your scope, services and schedules. A contract also gives you the option to include check-ins, test times, and a payment schedule (we’ll get back to that).
It is also important to remember that this is not a one-way street. Your freelancer will – and should – have a say in the timing and scope of the project. Remember: you hire them because they have expertise in an area you don’t have.
While I would not say that you should implicitly trust someone you have probably just met, you should respect their assessment of the situation and take this into account when planning your project and the role it will play. If they tell you that something is not possible within a certain period of time, or provide alternative options to help you achieve your goals, you should listen to and evaluate those options against your goals.
Now comes the hard part, right? The money! Freelancers traditionally work in two ways, hourly or per project. The definitions are exactly how they sound. Freelancers per hour are paid for their working hours so that you negotiate an hourly rate (tariff x hours worked = payment). Freelancers work per project – you guessed it – per project, meaning you pay them an agreed fee for the entire project.
Two things to consider here:
- You get what you pay for. This is not the place to save. When trying to save money, don’t be surprised if the final project doesn’t meet expectations or if the freelancer takes on a higher-paying project in addition to your project. Put yourself in position before you get upset. You would expect to be paid fairly for your work, the freelancer expects the same.
- Be honest about your budget. If you only have a certain amount of money available, let the freelancer know if you can’t find out something. Maybe the scope has to change, maybe the fee works. You don’t know until you ask.
No matter which payment structure you agree to, put together a payment plan. This will keep things on track. Freelancers have different expectations. For some, it’s a 50/50 split between the start and end of a project. For others, divide it into three (33%) or four (25%) installments. No matter what you agree to, you don’t pay in full for your project before the work is complete and delivered. Once you’ve made a deal, it’s time to get to work.
The magic happens here.
You have hired your freelancer. You understand the question. The final delivery date has been agreed. It’s time to send emails and text every five minutes, isn’t it? Not correct.
Development, design, video editing, writing and others are highly technical skills that require time and focus. Let your freelancer do the job you hired him for. It’s okay to get in touch now and then if you haven’t heard anything. However, this is probably a good time to refer to the check-in schedule that you added to your contract.
Still, it’s important that you volunteer if you have any questions. And remember, this is not the time for scope creep or assumptions. This is the part where the work crosses the finish line.
What happens next?
The work was delivered. It looks good and works well. What now? Make sure you pay your freelancer. Regardless of whether you split up here or before you start talking about your next project, please pay your freelancer.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated for completeness.