Freelancer vs Agency: Who Builds Your Website?
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When having a website built, one of the first choices is: do you hire a freelance developer or a web agency?
Advantages of a Freelancer
A freelancer offers unique advantages, especially for small to medium projects.
- Direct contact with the person building your website
- Lower overhead, often more competitively priced
- More flexible in planning and communication
- Personal involvement in your project
- Faster decision-making without bureaucracy
When to Choose an Agency?
An agency may be better suited to certain situations.
- You have a large, multidisciplinary project
- You want one party for everything: from strategy to execution
- Your company has internal processes that require an agency workflow
- Your project needs multiple specialists simultaneously
The Best of Both Worlds
At AEH Web Services, you get the personal approach and sharp pricing of a freelancer, combined with the professionalism and reliability you expect from an agency.
- Direct communication: you work with the person actually building your website
- 5+ years corporate software engineering experience, agency-level quality
- Fixed project prices: you know exactly what you're investing upfront
- Modern technology (Next.js, React, TypeScript) for future-proof websites
- Code on GitHub: fully transferable and documented
Costs: Freelancer vs. Agency
The price differences are significant. A freelancer has lower overhead, which directly impacts pricing.
- Business website via freelancer (AEH): from €899, custom, live in 1-2 weeks
- Business website via agency: €2,000-€10,000, longer lead time, more overhead
- Webshop via freelancer (AEH): from €2,499, including iDEAL and product catalog
- Webshop via agency: €5,000-€25,000, more resources, but also more management layers
- Hourly rate freelancer: €50-100/hour vs. agency: €100-200/hour
Frequently asked questions
Is a freelancer cheaper than an agency?
Generally yes, because a freelancer has lower overhead. A business website costs from €899 with a freelancer versus €2,000+ at an agency. Quality doesn't have to suffer, an experienced freelancer often delivers the same level as an agency.
What if the freelancer gets sick?
A valid point. At AEH Web Services, all code is documented and managed on GitHub, so the project is always transferable if needed. This ensures business continuity.
Can a freelancer handle large projects?
Yes, provided the project is well-planned. For very large projects, I collaborate with specialized partners for design or specific technologies. This way you get the best of both worlds.
How do I know if a freelancer is reliable?
Check portfolio, reviews, and references. At AEH Web Services, you can view my completed projects and speak with previous clients if desired.
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Yes, after delivery I offer a warranty on the built functionality. Bugs are fixed free of charge. I also offer flexible maintenance packages for ongoing support.
Looking for a reliable freelance web developer? Schedule a free introduction.
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