Unsure whether to hire a digital marketing agency vs freelancer? Compare their pros and cons, costs, and determine the best option for your business.
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to hire a digital marketing agency or a freelance digital marketer.
In this article, we will explore the what both are, pros and cons, and budget attached to help you make the best decision for your business. If you want an in-depth look into what a digital marketing agency offers, click here.
Understanding Freelancers and Agencies
When it comes to digital marketing outsourcing, businesses often face confusion between an agency and a freelancer.
To avoid that confusion, let’s begin with understanding their meaning:
Who are Freelancers
Companies hire freelancers, who are independent experts, on an hourly, weekly, or monthly basis.
They work for a limited time on only one or two projects.
They:
- They specialize in areas such as SEO, content creation, or social media management.
- Work on a per-project basis, offering flexibility and lower costs.
What is an Agency?
An agency is an all-in-one marketing strategy team. You don’t have to juggle multiple freelancers and can manage everything under one roof.
It involves:
- Strategists, designers, writers, and analysts working together
- A full-service approach for long-term marketing support
Comparison Between Freelancers vs Agencies
Picking between a marketing freelancer and an agency can be tricky. It depends on various factors, such as budget, project size, and business requirements.
Let’s compare agency vs freelancer to make the right choice:
1. Expertise & Skillset
Freelancers: Specializing in specific skills
Agencies: Diverse team with multi-skill expertise
2. Cost & Budget
Freelancers: More affordable, ideal for small projects ($48 per hour)
Agencies: Higher cost but offers full-service solutions ($900 to $20,000 per month)
3. Project Scope & Complexity
Freelancers: Best for small, short-term tasks
Agencies: Handles complex, large-scale projects
4. Availability & Turnaround Time
Freelancers: Varies based on workload
Agencies: Faster execution with dedicated
5. Communication & Collaboration
Freelancers: Direct but may lack structure
Agencies: Managed workflows ensure smooth coordination
When it comes to communication, agencies and freelancers operate in very different ways.
6. Scalability
Freelancers: Limited for large projects
Agencies: Easily scales with business growth
7. Reliability & Consistency
Freelancers: Quality varies by individual
Agencies: Ensures consistent output and accountability
8. Strategy & Long-Term Vision
Freelancers: Task-focused, lacks strategic planning
Agencies: Provides long-term growth strategies
9. Tools & Resources
Freelancers: Use basic tools
Agencies: Access to advanced marketing tools
10. Legal & Contractual Security
Freelancers: Informal contracts, higher risk
Agencies: Legal agreements ensure security
Key Takeaways
Both options have their strengths and weaknesses; choose the one that works best for your situation.
- Choose freelancers if you need flexibility and specialized expertise for a short-term project.
- Consider an agency if you want a dedicated team working exclusively on your digital marketing.
Pros and cons of working at an agency
Agencies can be appealing to those who enjoy the idea of working with diverse clients and having a range of projects, but aren’t sure about being an independent professional.
At an agency, you may have a more structured team environment. Some agencies permit remote or hybrid work arrangements.
Agencies may offer full-time employment opportunities that include steady pay and benefits.
This stability can come at a cost, potentially involving the loss of flexibility, control, and opportunities for growth that come with freelancing.
Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of working at an agency.
Agency Pros
Working at an agency can have many benefits, including:
- Financial security. As a full-time employee, you receive a set salary and may be eligible for benefits such as healthcare and paid time off.
- Team environment. You can be part of a team and have more opportunities for collaboration with colleagues whom you can turn to for support and advice if needed.
- Internal growth opportunities. The agency may also have in-house resources for employee development and growth, as well as networking opportunities.
- Assigned work. You don’t have to actively pitch clients and look for work unless you have a client-facing role.
- Structured environment. Your manager will likely handle many of the logistics of a project, like timelines and dependencies, so you can focus on doing your specific job.
Agency cons
- Fast-paced. Some agencies are high-stress environments with long hours and intense competition, especially for entry-level positions in industries such as marketing and advertising.
- Set work schedules. Unless you’re an independent contractor or part-time worker, you likely won’t be able to create your schedule and choose when you work.
- Fixed pay. You’ll likely be paid a set hourly or salary rate and will need your manager’s approval for raises, rather than negotiating each client contract.
- Limited creative freedom. The agency may have specific procedures and styles that you must adhere to, and other teams or leadership may be the ones making the creative decisions.
- Limited control. You may not have the opportunity to choose the projects and clients you work with.
Pros and cons of freelancing
One of the appeals of freelancing is having more freedom to choose when and where you work.
As a freelancer, you create your schedule and determine your working hours.
This flexibility can give you the freedom to travel, care for your loved ones, or work when you feel most productive.
Building a freelance business can be a time-consuming process. We’ll explore the pros and cons of freelancing.
Freelancing pros
Some of the main benefits of freelancing are:
- Flexible hours. Create your schedule, deciding your working hours and when you’re available to clients.
- Career control. Choose the specific skills and services you offer, as well as the clients you work with and projects you work on.
- Ability to say no. If a project doesn’t fit your schedule or the client doesn’t seem like the right match, as a freelancer, you get to decline the offer.
- Choose your clients. On Upwork, when applying to projects and evaluating offers, you can see the client’s public feedback from other freelancers to avoid working with demanding clients.
- Creative freedom. You answer to the client, not a manager or another decision-maker. Your style and creative choices make you unique and are often what attracts clients.
- Earning potential. As an independent professional, you set your rate and determine the amount to charge clients in your pitches and negotiations. You can give yourself a raise and increase your rates as the demand for your services rises and you have less availability in your week.
- Work from home. Freelancers can choose when and where they work, and most projects are fully remote.
Freelancing cons
- No employer benefits. Freelancers are small business owners, meaning you don’t have any guaranteed employer benefits like health insurance and paid time off.
- Inconsistent pay. Instead of receiving a set amount every week, you may have contracts that pay more or less than others. Unless you’re working an hourly contract (which has weekly billing cycles), you may only get paid once you complete a milestone or submit an invoice.
- Business management. When freelancing, you have to set aside time for finding and pitching clients, marketing, and other business management tasks.
- Administrative work. If you use Upwork, the platform handles many of your administrative tasks, helping you save time. Find jobs, submit proposals, track your hours, deliver milestones, and communicate with clients all within the platform.
- Platform fees. Freelancers on Upwork pay 0-15% of their earnings (depending on the contract) to use the platform.
- Pitch clients. You’ll need to actively submit proposals, pitch clients, and market your business to create a steady workload.
Conclusion
Choosing between a digital marketing agency and a freelancer depends on your business needs, budget, and the level of support you’re looking for.
Agencies offer full-service solutions and broad expertise, while freelancers often provide flexible, cost-effective services with a more personal touch.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Carefully consider your goals, resources, and the complexity of your projects to make informed decisions that support your brand’s growth.
