Freelancers are people who work for companies or individuals not as their employees but on a short-term basis. Sometimes they make a contract for one project or a series of projects. Freelancers are self-employed people who are experienced and qualified in some skill or the other. The most popular freelance skills these days are UX Design, Animation and Design, Web and App Developers, and so on.
Many tech companies hire top tech freelancers for a project instead of staffing permanent employees because of the following benefits:
1. Short-term need
Sometimes, work needs to be done just once. For example, you might not need an app developer every day. In such a case, it makes no sense to hire a permanent employee. Freelancers are good for this work because they work on a short-term basis.
2. Affordability
Freelancers are contractors who generally set their own rate for services rendered. Going this route is cost-effective for short and long-term business needs in comparison to staffing a full-time role annually.
3. Staffing flexibility
When it comes to executing projects, freelancers are easy to hire and can begin work immediately. In the event a talent is not producing to an employer’s standards, they can be relieved from the project, and the role can be filled by a more adequate professional. It can be difficult to terminate a permanent employee and high turnover leaves a bad impression for potential talent. Freelancers provide staffing flexibility that is beneficial to the company and themselves.
What are tech freelancers?
Tech freelancers are people who offer technical skills on a contractual basis. Tech freelancers include web designers, app developers, coders, programmers, data scientists, and data analysts.
Tech freelancers are qualified and experienced in technical skills. They often spend a great amount of time learning in-demand skills required by industry-leading tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Tech freelancers are in-demand because of the rise to online businesses. Tech freelancers help firms develop their websites and applications..
Fields like data analysis and machine learning are emerging fast, and if you need people to do these works but don’t need them regularly, it is better to hire freelancers.
Why should you hire the best tech freelancers?
The best tech freelancers are instrumental to a business’s growth from product launches to app upgrades, and innovative implementations. There are several reasons why you should hire good quality freelancers for your business. Some of them are:
1. Business need
If you have an online business, then technical needs are likely to arise. These technical jobs cannot be performed by an unskilled person. Skills like coding and programming are still new for many people. Therefore, you will need a tech freelancer to execute important tasks.
2. Business outlook
A good tech freelancer understands the importance of outlook and will create the best-looking website for you, which will be user-friendly. This is important because users don’t return to websites that they find difficult to navigate.
3. Budget and finance
If you are starting a new business, then you need to be strategic with your budget. Hiring a full-time employee for a 3-4 month project will be expensive. It is more cost-efficient to hire a skilled freelancer who will be compensated per project.
How to hire top tech freelancers?
If you are thinking of hiring tech freelancers from, here are some tips for you:
- Understand your needs
Different freelancers offer different skills. Understand the needs of your business and contact only those people whose skill set is a match.
- Check their experience and qualification
Make sure the freelancer you hire has relevant experience for the desired role, using industry standard applications. This can often be validated through globally recognized certifications, programs, etc. .
- Ask for their portfolio and work samples
Ask the freelancer to share their portfolio and previous work samples with you. This will help you get an idea of the quality of their work, end-to-end processes, and client base.
- Explain your needs properly
Make sure to explain the responsibilities associated with the desired role. Discuss your ideas, wants, and needs and give the candidate the opportunity to seek clarification, if needed. Clearly defining your company’s needs for elimates any potential confusion, and reinforces that all parties are in alignment with the project scope, timeline, and expectations.
- Ask them if they are comfortable
Ask them if they are comfortable with doing the kind of work the project entails. This is critical to hiring the right freelancer because inexperience can lead to inadequate performance or a lengthier timeframe to complete tasks. A professional will be honest and share with confidence their ability to complete the project.
- Research
Research the potential freelancer. Check their website, portfolio, and even client reviews, if available Also, check the market price to verify their rates are applicable to their experience level and qualifications. Do not overpay.
- Do not settle for the first freelancer you find
You might feel that the first freelancer you find is the best. But do not settle there; research more. Checkout the profiles of multiple freelancers and compare specifications that are top priority to your decision-making process, like rates, seniority level, and services. Then, choose the one you find to be most appropriate for you.
- Strike a formal deal
Once you’ve chosen the ideal freelancer, be sure to outline all terms of the project in a signed agreement. This will protect your company and the talent, and should be completed before work begins. Items to include in the contract are:
- Rate
- Timeline
- Project scope
- Responsibilities and expectations
- Methods of communication
- Intellectual property disclaimer
- Termination policy
The tips provided in this guide are important for companies to keep in mind when hiring top tech freelancers. Online talent marketplaces like Gebeya are available to help entrepreneurs and recruiters access talented freelancers. If you are finding it difficult to find a freelancer yourself, you can conduct a free search on the marketplace, and create a job posting at no additional charge.
Platforms like Gebeya significantly reduce the time and work it takes to hire a freelance candidate, and ensure you are matched with the right talent every time.
