Web development is not at the top of every entrepreneur’s “strengths” list however, a captivating and informative website is vital for the success of every business in this ever-evolving age of digital platforms. Think about it – your local dentist, the mom-and-pop pizza place down the street, and even your great aunt’s purse party have one.
In the United States alone, there’s around 267 million online shoppers looking for the next life-changing product to ease their frustrations or better their current situation. Without a website, it’ll be increasingly hard for current and potential clients to find your innovative offerings and trust your business enough to fork over their hard-earned cash.
Let’s start where all great things do – at the beginning.
What are Freelance Web Developers?
Freelance web developers design and create websites for their clients but they do so independently of an employer. They establish their own pricing based on experience and choose their own hours without punching a time clock. A whopping 36% of workforce-aged adults do freelance work which opens a world of opportunity and options for those in need of various niche services like web development.
Why Hire a Freelance Web Developer?
Web development can be an extensively complicated feat for business owners who specialize in running the day-to-day operations of their business, not coding websites. Since most consumers will check out the site of a company before making a purchase, it’s crucial to get it right.
404-page errors, misspellings, unformatted images, wonky text boxes, and website menus that go nowhere are just the tip of the iceberg when amateurs develop their own sites. That will instantly turn your prospects off and force them to your competitor’s site – ouch.
Why Choose Fiverr to Find Talented Web Designers
Freelance web designers often create profiles on many platforms to advertise their services and Fiverr has a slew of them from all over the globe with varying degrees of experience and a wide range in pricing. The selection of web developers on Fiverr is unmatched and a great place to start if looking for design services. With 830,000 active sellers on Fiverr in mid-2019 brokering over 50 million transactions, Fiverr is the place to go to find talented web designers.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Freelance Web Developers on Fiverr
It’s critical to understand that not all freelancing sites are created equal and each has its opportunities and perceived flaws – including Fiverr. Understanding the pros and cons before jumping into an agreement with a Fiver web developer is just good business. Let’s face it, you’d never hire an employee without an interview, right?
Pros of Hiring Fiverr Web Developers
Less Expensive
Web development companies and high-end web designers have overhead costs to cover and may brand themselves as somewhat of a luxury-level service, meaning higher prices. With adequate developer research on Fiverr, you could achieve the same or even better service from freelancers on the platform.
Payment Protection
On the Fiverr platform, your payment is requested upon ordering but is held in an escrow-type account until you have accepted the work according to the agreed-upon requirements. Ditch the fear of paying a web designer up front and receiving lackluster results. Fiverr protects your capital until you’re satisfied with the result.
Seller Comparison
Fiverr allows you to compare multiple sellers according to your specific budget range – to ensure you pay what your budget allows and avoid last-minute upcharges and hidden fees. Easily analyze the most high-quality candidates before making your final selection and contacting the seller.
Check the Reviews
Just like consumers do before purchasing your products and services, check the Fiverr web developer reviews to see how many satisfied buyers they’ve worked with, and take some time to read any written feedback. Get a decent idea of who you’re working with through the experience of others. They will also share their portfolio of sites they built so check those too.
Avoid Scope Creep
Each level of Fiverr gig is clearly described, and the scope of web design offering is listed, in addition to any add-on services proposed. You’ll have accurate expectations of what each feature costs and can make decisions on what you need (and what you don’t) from the get-go to avoid last-minute upcharges and scope creep.
Cons to Contracting with Web Developers on Fiverr
Language Barrier
Since Fiverr promotes web developers from across the globe, there can be a language barrier. Keep this in mind when discussing the gig prior to placing an order and rephrase any questions or discussion points to ensure you’re clear before shelling out the dough. Fortunately, Fiverr does offer an option to filter your results to include developers who speak English, or your native language, as well as in your same country.
Lacks Face-to-Face Service
While there is a Fiverr video chat option directly on the platform, commonly buyers and sellers agree to the terms of the provided service via message thread or have zero contact before an order is placed. You may not have regularly scheduled Zoom calls to go through the site and give feedback unless you request that.
3 Days is the Magic Number
Once the finished product is delivered through the Fiverr order, buyers have three days to accept the delivery or ask for revisions before the work is auto-approved on the platform. Some web developers on Fiverr may still allow after-completion revisions but are not required to based on the initial agreement. If you use a Fiverr Business Account, you get more time.
No Guarantee on After-Order Availability
After the order has been accepted or auto-completed, most web developers have moved on to other projects and if a problem arises later or there’s an issue that went unnoticed, there is no guarantee they will be willing or able to assist without another placed order. However, you will have the option to hire them again most of the time for edits.
No Refunds
Holding your initial payment in an escrow-type account is a perk of using Fiverr. However, if you are not satisfied, there is no refund option. Fiverr will offer a credit for the amount previously paid to put toward a replacement service with a different Fiverr web developer or a completely different service.
In Closing
Why settle for local web developers who may overcharge and underdeliver when you have additional options to uncover? Fiverr web developers are fighting for the chance to serve you and you may be able to secure excellent service for a fraction of the cost by doing a bit of research.
Step into the world of efficient freelancing with my Free Guide, ‘Outsource with Confidence‘. Learn from my extensive experience of 1,000+ Fiverr gigs and partnering with 350+ freelancers to enhance your outsourcing strategy.
