One of the first decisions you'll face when planning a web project is whether to hire a freelancer or an agency. Both can deliver excellent results, but they work very differently. The right choice depends on your project's complexity, your budget, and how you prefer to work.
This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each option honestly, so you can make the best decision for your specific situation.
Understanding the Options
What is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is an independent professional who works for themselves rather than being employed by a company. They typically specialise in one or two areas (design, development, copywriting) and work directly with clients on a project-by-project basis.
What is an Agency?
An agency is a company that employs or contracts multiple specialists to deliver projects as a team. They usually have project managers, designers, developers, and other specialists working together under one roof (or one Slack workspace).
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Freelancer
Advantages
Direct Communication You work directly with the person doing the work. No games of telephone through account managers or project coordinators. Questions get answered quickly, and feedback is implemented without delays.
Cost-Effective Freelancers typically have lower overheads than agencies, which translates to lower rates. You're paying for the work itself, not for office rent in a fancy city centre location.
Flexibility Freelancers can often start projects more quickly and adapt to changing requirements more easily. They're used to being agile and don't need to navigate internal processes.
Specialised Expertise Many freelancers are deep specialists in their field. If you need a WordPress expert or a conversion-focused designer, you can find someone who does exactly that, day in and day out.
Personal Investment Your project isn't one of dozens on a production line. Freelancers often take deep pride in their work and treat each project as a reflection of their personal brand.
Disadvantages
Capacity Limitations One person can only do so much. If your project needs design, development, copywriting, and SEO simultaneously, a single freelancer may struggle to deliver everything at pace.
Availability Risks What happens if your freelancer is ill or goes on holiday? There's no backup team to keep things moving. For critical ongoing support, this can be a concern.
Varied Business Skills Not all great designers are great at project management, invoicing, or client communication. Quality varies significantly across the freelance market.
Single Perspective Agencies benefit from team collaboration and diverse viewpoints. A freelancer works alone, which can sometimes mean fewer fresh ideas or catching blind spots.
Pros and Cons of Hiring an Agency
Advantages
Full-Service Capability Agencies can handle everything from strategy to design, development, content, and ongoing marketing. One contract, one team, multiple skills.
Reliability and Continuity If someone is sick, the project continues. Agencies have built-in redundancy and won't leave you stranded mid-project.
Structured Processes Established agencies have refined their processes over hundreds of projects. You benefit from their experience in managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
Diverse Perspectives Your project goes through multiple sets of eyes. Designers, developers, and strategists can each contribute ideas and catch potential issues.
Scalability Agencies can throw more resources at a project if needed. If scope expands or deadlines tighten, they have the capacity to respond.
Disadvantages
Higher Costs Agency overheads (offices, management, sales, admin) are built into their rates. You're paying for the infrastructure as well as the work.
Slower Communication Your feedback typically passes through a project manager before reaching the person doing the work. This can slow things down and introduce misunderstandings.
Less Flexibility Agencies have processes for good reason, but these can sometimes feel rigid. Making changes or adding scope often requires formal change requests and revised quotes.
Variable Attention Large agencies juggle many clients. Your project may be handled by junior staff while senior talent focuses on bigger accounts. Ask who'll actually be doing the work.
Cookie-Cutter Approaches Some agencies apply the same template or approach to every project to maximise efficiency. This can result in websites that feel generic.
Cost Comparison
Freelancer Rates (UK)
Typical day rates for experienced Bristol-area freelancers:
- Junior (1-3 years): £150-£250/day
- Mid-level (3-5 years): £250-£400/day
- Senior (5+ years): £400-£600/day
- Specialist/Expert: £600+/day
Project rates vary widely, but expect:
- Simple brochure website: £1,500-£5,000
- Custom WordPress site: £4,000-£12,000
- E-commerce store: £5,000-£20,000
- Custom web application: £10,000+
Agency Rates (UK)
Agency pricing is typically 30-100% higher for equivalent work:
- Simple brochure website: £3,000-£10,000
- Custom CMS website: £8,000-£25,000
- E-commerce store: £12,000-£50,000
- Custom web application: £25,000+
These are rough guides. Both freelancers and agencies can charge significantly more or less depending on their experience, reputation, and location.
Price Comparison Table
| Project Type | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Simple brochure website | £1,500 - £5,000 | £3,000 - £10,000 |
| Custom CMS website | £4,000 - £12,000 | £8,000 - £25,000 |
| E-commerce store | £5,000 - £20,000 | £12,000 - £50,000 |
| Custom web application | £10,000+ | £25,000+ |
Prices based on UK market rates. Actual costs vary based on complexity, experience, and specific requirements.
When to Choose a Freelancer
A freelancer is often the better choice when:
- Budget is tight but you still want quality custom work
- The project is focused on one discipline (design OR development)
- You want direct communication with the person doing the work
- Timeline is flexible and can accommodate one person's schedule
- You value a personal relationship and want to work with the same person long-term
- The project is relatively simple (brochure site, portfolio, simple e-commerce)
When to Choose an Agency
An agency is often the better choice when:
- The project is complex and requires multiple disciplines simultaneously
- Deadlines are critical and you need guaranteed resources
- You need ongoing support and can't risk depending on one person
- Budget allows for higher investment
- You want strategic guidance beyond just execution
- The project requires coordination across marketing, content, and technology
Why We Chose the Freelance Model
We'll be honest with you. bristol.dev exists because we've been on both sides of this decision, and we've seen what happens when it goes wrong.
Over the years, we've worked with agencies that promised the world during the pitch, only to deliver something that fell short. Projects handed off to junior staff. Communication that went through three people before reaching anyone who could actually help. Budgets that ballooned with "change requests" for things that should have been included from the start.
That's not to say all agencies are like this. There are brilliant agencies out there doing exceptional work. But our experience taught us that the agency model doesn't always serve clients the way it should.
That's why we built bristol.dev as a network of dedicated freelancers rather than a traditional agency. When you work with us:
- You work directly with the person doing the work - no account managers, no handoffs
- We give your project proper attention - we're not juggling dozens of clients
- You pay for the work, not the overhead - no fancy office rent built into your quote
- We're honest about what we can and can't do - if a project isn't right for us, we'll tell you
When projects need multiple skills, we collaborate with trusted freelancers we've worked with for years. You get the team capability without the agency markup or bureaucracy.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
Whether you're leaning towards a freelancer or agency, ask these questions:
- Who will actually be doing the work? Meet the people, not just the sales team.
- Can I see examples of similar projects? Look for relevant experience.
- What's included in the price? Get specifics about revisions, support, and ongoing costs.
- What's the communication process? How and when will you receive updates?
- What happens if something goes wrong? Understand the support and fallback options.
- Can I speak to past clients? References tell you more than portfolios.
Making Your Decision
There's no universal right answer. Agencies work brilliantly for some projects and some clients. Freelancers are perfect for others. The key is doing your research, asking the right questions, and trusting your gut about who you want to work with.
Don't just go with the slickest pitch or the cheapest quote. Look for people who listen, who ask good questions about your business, and who are honest about what they can deliver.
If you'd like to chat through your options, get in touch. We'll give you honest advice - even if that means recommending an agency over us.
Ready to find the right freelancer? Browse our vetted Bristol freelancers or read our guide on How to Write a Web Design Brief That Gets Results.