Freelancer or agency?

Points to check

• A freelancer can be a strong fit for a defined task when you can coordinate other specialists yourself. Ask about availability and cover during absence.
• An agency may coordinate several disciplines, but check who actually works on the project and how handovers between teams are managed.
• Compare the same deliverables and support commitments. Team size alone does not tell you whether the proposal fits your business.

Start with the brief

Write down the business outcome you need, the people you want to reach and any practical constraints. This makes it easier to judge whether a suggested service or platform is appropriate.

A freelancer can offer direct specialist attention. An agency may bring a wider team and more cover.

Compare the work, not just the headline

Ask providers to describe the deliverables, who will do the work, what they need from you and when the result will be reviewed. A written proposal should distinguish included work from optional extras.

• Page structure, content and visual design
• Mobile layouts, accessibility and launch checks
• Hosting, ownership and handover arrangements

Questions worth asking

• Who owns the finished website and accounts?
• What content and revisions are included?
• What happens after launch?

Match the provider to the work, timeline and level of ongoing support rather than assuming one model is always better.

Make a fair comparison

Use the same brief for each provider, request any missing details in writing, and consider ownership and ongoing support alongside price. You can use the free worksheet to record the answers.