Web development is a complex undertaking with many variables. It involves finding the right staff, acquiring tools and equipment, and establishing efficient processes. This requires both time and money.
In-house development teams often lack the expertise or resources to implement new features or test existing ones. This is where external assistance becomes invaluable.
So, where can companies find this assistance? The two most common options are freelancers and dedicated teams. In this post, we will compare these two models and highlight why hiring dedicated developers is generally more advantageous for businesses.
Let’s start by looking at situations where each model is typically preferred.
Understanding the Common Use Cases for the Two Models
Freelancers
Freelancers are self-employed professionals who offer services in various fields, including web development. They are often chosen when:
- The project is short-term
- The budget is fixed and limited
- The requirements are clearly defined and unlikely to change
- The final release date is known
- Quality is not a major concern
Dedicated Teams
On the other hand, dedicated teams are groups of professionals who work full-time for a web development company. They are assigned to projects based on their qualifications. Dedicated teams are usually preferred when:
- The project is large or multiple projects need to be completed
- The requirements are flexible and subject to change
- The exact deadline is uncertain
- Quality is crucial
- Budget limitations are not clearly defined
While some companies opt for freelancers due to lower costs, the future lies with dedicated development teams. Here are some key reasons why you should consider hiring a dedicated team for your next app or website.
8 Compelling Reasons Why Opting for a Dedicated Team Is Better Than Hiring Freelancers
Reason #1: Comprehensive Expertise in One Place
Modern projects often require expertise in multiple technologies, such as back-end and front-end development. Freelancers tend to specialize in specific areas, making it time-consuming and challenging to find the right professionals.
In contrast, outsourcing companies have developers well-versed in various technologies, with proven experience. Their HR departments have already vetted these developers, saving you the hassle of reviewing countless CVs.
Dedicated teams may also include experts in other fields like marketing, search engine optimization, design, and user experience. Having all these skills under one roof improves communication and boosts efficiency. Freelancers simply can’t match the level of expertise and organization provided by a dedicated team.
Reason #2: Ensuring Accountability
When it comes to sensitive business data, one of the drawbacks of working with freelancers is the lack of liability. There’s always a risk that a freelancer might disappear in the middle of a project, leaving you uncertain about the fate of your proprietary information.
Moreover, if you hire multiple freelancers for the same project, the chances of your project specifications falling into the wrong hands increase. In case your information gets stolen, you might not even be aware of it or be able to identify the culprit.
On the other hand, when you hire a dedicated team of developers, you are dealing with a single entity. You can establish a formal contract that legally binds the provider to keep your confidential data secure. Reputable companies do not vanish overnight; they have a legitimate business address and can be held accountable.
Reason #3: Valuing Reputation
Unlike freelancers, dedicated teams are genuinely invested in the success of the company they work for and the projects they undertake. Freelancers bid farewell once their agreement term is over, forcing companies or individual entrepreneurs to start the hiring process from scratch, which can be time-consuming and complex.
In contrast, a dedicated team’s project manager can swiftly find a suitable replacement for any developer who may drop off for any reason. This is because large companies value their reputation and prioritize long-term cooperation and positive reviews.
Reason #4: Unwavering Commitment
When a team is labeled as “dedicated,” it means they are fully committed to your project, ensuring all your requirements are met and all your requests are fulfilled. They have no other distractions or competing tasks, ensuring stability and delivering high-quality results.
Freelancers, on the other hand, often juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Their focus on more clients and higher earnings can result in compromised quality. As the saying goes, “Between two stools, one falls to the ground.”
Reason #5: Transparent Communication Through Multiple Channels
Effective communication is vital during the web development process. Both the vendor and the client must have a thorough understanding of each other’s needs. Otherwise, the client may face unpleasant surprises upon project completion, not necessarily due to the vendor’s fault.
While various communication channels like Skype, Slack, Telegram, and email facilitate global interactions, there is no guarantee that a freelancer will always be available to answer questions or provide updates, especially when working with freelancers located in different time zones. Keeping everyone in sync can become a nightmare.
With a dedicated development team, a project manager takes charge of the communication process. You can reach out to the project manager anytime to inquire about specific features being worked on or the status of bug fixes.
Reason #6: Comprehensive After-Release Support
Any product requires support and maintenance after its release, including adding new features, updating existing ones, and ensuring smooth operation. To avoid post-release troubles, you can sign a contract with an outsourcer upfront to provide these services.
While freelancers can also offer support for released applications, there is a risk of them abruptly terminating the contract, leaving your app vulnerable. Additionally, they may only cover certain aspects due to limited resources. On the other hand, dedicated developers ensure complete coverage and ongoing support.
Reason #7: Access to Authentic Software and Hardware
To develop enterprise-quality software, web developers need access to the latest versions of development tools such as IDEs and graphical editors. These tools often require significant investments that only larger companies can afford. By hiring a dedicated development team, you gain access to cutting-edge licensed software and hardware, ensuring your project meets industry standards.
Freelancers typically have basic tools that enable them to handle essential tasks. However, it’s uncertain whether these applications are authentic or regularly updated. Additionally, freelancers may lack the powerful resources necessary for enterprise-level testing of your product.
Reason #8: Flexible Team Expansion/Scaling
Projects are dynamic entities that often require adjustments based on budget constraints or changes in customer demand. The dedicated development team model offers unparalleled scalability, allowing you to easily expand or scale down your team as needed.
With a dedicated team, all it takes is a simple communication with the project manager to reduce the number of developers or bring in new professionals. If you’re not satisfied with a specific developer’s performance, you can request a replacement, and the outsourcing company will swiftly find a suitable substitute. This is because reputable companies prioritize their reputation and long-term relationships.
In contrast, when working with freelancers, the responsibility falls on the client to search for a replacement if a freelancer decides to leave. Even when a new freelancer is onboarded, they need time to become familiar with the project’s specifics, causing delays and slowing down the overall progress.
Hiring dedicated developers to fill the gaps left by departing team members is a straightforward process. Returning developers who have previously worked on the project can seamlessly step back into their roles, using their knowledge of the technologies and workflows. This allows the project to resume without any unnecessary delays.
Final Words
In conclusion, the choice between dedicated developers and freelancers goes beyond a simple cost comparison. It extends into the realm of reliability, commitment, communication, post-release support, access to high-quality resources, and team scalability.
Dedicated development teams bring a level of professionalism and dedication that ensures your project’s success, from its inception to after-release support. They provide a stable environment, enabling you to focus on your core business while they handle the technical aspects. Their commitment is unwavering, and their approach to communication is transparent and effective.
With access to the latest software and hardware, they assure quality outcomes. Furthermore, the flexibility to scale up or down as per project requirements makes dedicated teams a practical choice.
So, with all these compelling reasons, investing in a dedicated development team could be the strategic decision that propels your project to success.