Why Should You Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer?

Using professional design work improves business performance in a number of ways, and can also bring lots of benefits if used consistently and appropriately across a business. From increasing sales and improving market position to creating a stronger brand and identity, and even greater customer loyalty and fewer customer complaints have been "attributed to strong design work within a business.

Should You Hire an Employee or Freelancer?

For these reasons, the question is not should you use professional design work, but how do you go about it. Certainly, you can hire a full-time designer to work on your team exclusively, but that might be overkill depending upon your needs. After all, a skilled and experienced designer can cost you in the neighborhood of $50,000 to $80,000 annually. A bit much if you only need a great logo designer, some infographics and marketing pieces.

Luckily, there is a much less costly alternative - design freelancers. Many of the best design professionals in the world opt for the freedom and flexibility that freelance work offers them. On the flip side, they have a lot to offer businesses that need design work, so they stay busy and earn a great income. Still, some business owners are hesitant to use freelance workers for a number of reasons, so let’s take a look at those reasons and see if they’re valid.

Finding Designers: This is a valid concern, but it is much easier today than it was even a few years ago to find professional graphic designers. There are many online networks for small businesses, and being involved with them can quickly point you to good design work, and hire freelance designers.

Security Jobs: Some business owners have a rightful concern about the security of their computer systems in the hands of outsourced freelance designers. However, for almost all design work, it can be done without access to an organization’s network and then uploaded. No need to divulge secure passwords or worry about undue access.

Communication issues: Some entrepreneurs equate freelancers with those from foreign countries without adequate English skills, and that was true in the past. However, today you will find freelancers that speak every language in the world, including English, and communication should not be a problem.

Background Checking/Verifying Abilities: Of course, this new way of doing business is much different than the traditional hiring route where resumes are received and shortlisted, interviews conducted, background and references are checked before an offer is extended. While that worked well at one time, it is a slow and cumbersome way to do things, and often the urgent need goes unmet while it plays out. Instead, with freelancers, the entire process is streamlined. Most freelance designers have a portfolio of their work they can share, as well as testimonials on their website or clients they can put you in touch with. Interviews aren’t really necessary, because you’ll only be working together on a project basis.

Quality of Work: Often, you will find that freelance designers work exceeds the work of an employee. Freelancers are notorious for keeping their skills fresh by learning all the newest software and techniques. Additionally, they will be completely focused on completing your project. After all, a freelancer gets paid when the work is done; an employee gets paid regularly no matter how much or how little they produce. Of course, freelancers also understand that if they provide excellent work, there will be more projects to come their way.

Outsourcing your projects when you hire a freelance designer is an economical way to streamline an area of your business, get things done quickly as needed, without adding an employee and a large salary.