| Generally, where web design and development are | | | | employee who hates his or her boss and has no real |
| concerned, there seems to be a common view that | | | | vested interest in your site. |
| larger web design firms and agencies can provide | | | | Service and response time are also a big |
| much better service than smaller shops and individual | | | | consideration when selecting a provider. In my |
| web designers. This is a myth. Having worked for | | | | experience with larger agencies, The red tape and |
| several "established" companies where I was the key | | | | bureaucratic process are enough to stop any minor |
| (if not only) player in many site builds and designs, | | | | change in its tracks. A change order has to be made |
| I've come to realize that all the company itself was | | | | and placed. Then it goes through the traffic person, |
| bringing to the table was me. I've concepted, | | | | then it hits the designer or developer's desk at which |
| wire-framed, designed and developed many a site on | | | | point it has to be produced and then run through an |
| my own while working for larger companies. Often | | | | approval process before it can be shipped back out |
| times larger companies can present the illusion that | | | | the door for client approval. Needless to say, with an |
| you've got a huge team working on your project | | | | individual that process is dramatically cut down. With |
| while in fact you have one person (just like me) | | | | an individual or small shop, most of the time you |
| sitting in a room getting around to it when the boss | | | | have direct access to the person who is really |
| says to. | | | | responsible for your website: the person who can get |
| Just a few of the major advantages of using | | | | things done quickly. |
| individuals or small shops include price, quality of work | | | | Don't get me wrong, larger web design firms have |
| and service & response time. | | | | their place. If you run a huge corporation or have a |
| Price of course is probably the biggest | | | | very complex site with hundreds of pages and tons |
| advantage. Agency rates are often times well into | | | | of complicated upkeep then perhaps a larger firm is |
| the $150-$200 per hour range. Typical smaller shop | | | | right for you. Even in this case though, if the site is |
| freelancer hourly rates beat that by a mile and in this | | | | built correctly from the start, minor maintenance and |
| economy every dollar counts. Smaller shops and | | | | updates should be easily handled by your people |
| individuals have less overhead and fewer costs yet all | | | | internally. Anything else should be easily handled by an |
| the knowledge and capabilities. | | | | individual. |
| Generally the quality of work will be better with | | | | So for your next design or development project, |
| an individual at the helm. Smaller companies depend | | | | consider a small shop or individual. You'll get all of the |
| much more on word of mouth referrals to get new | | | | know-how and capabilities at a fraction of the cost. |
| business and thus (generally) put in a good bit more | | | | And please, Buy American! |
| time and effort than your disgruntled agency | | | | |