Building a website from scratch can be costly if you hire an agency or an individual developer, especially in Western countries.
If you’re on a tight budget but need a decent-quality website, hiring a freelancer can be a good option. However, the success of this approach depends on the process you follow.
A well-planned process can save you money and get you what you want, while a messy approach can waste time and money.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the best way to get a website built by a freelancer, step-by-step.
Step 1: Prepare Your Requirements
This is the most crucial step for a smooth experience. You need to be clear about what you want, as it will make things easier for both you and the freelancer.
Start by creating a document where you outline the main purpose of building the website and its topic. This will give the freelancer a clear idea of what they should focus on while building your site.
Next, mention what pages you want on your website. If you’re unsure, common pages for a business website include Home, Services/Products, About, Contact, Refund Policy, etc.
Then, list the features you want on the website. For example, if it’s a business website, you may want features like a contact form, Google Maps integration to show your location, etc. If it’s a blog, you may want features like categories, tags, related posts, comments section, and so on.
Finally, provide any design reference you’ve already chosen, such as a color palette or competitor’s website links that you like. If you don’t have a specific design in mind, you can ask the freelancer to show you some design samples related to your website’s topic.
Step 2: Prepare Website Contents
You will need to provide the freelancer with a logo, text, and images that you want to use on the website. The specific content will vary based on the pages you need. However, some common items you’ll typically need to provide are:
- Texts about your business, services, why customers should choose you, and owner/team bios.
- Relevant images that complement and provide context for the texts.
If you don’t want to prepare this content right away, you can still move to the next step. The freelancer can use placeholder (dummy) texts and images initially. But it’s better to provide your actual content upfront, so the freelancer can design the website layout and visuals accordingly from the start.
Step 3: Buy Domain and Hosting
If you want to build a website, you need two important things: a domain and web hosting. You must have these to make your website live on the internet.
If you don’t know what a domain and web hosting are, let me explain them quickly.
Web hosting is like renting a special space on the internet for your website. It’s where all the files and information for your website are stored.
A domain is the address that people type into their internet browser to find your website. It’s like a street address that tells people where to look for your website on the internet.
When someone types your domain into their browser, it takes them to the hosting space. That’s where your website is kept. Then they can see and use your website.
So in simple words, hosting is the space for your website, and the domain is the address that lets people find that space. You need both to have a website that people can visit on the internet.
There are many companies to buy domain and hosting from, but I recommend Bluehost. They are fast and reliable. You can buy domain and hosting both from here.
Step 4: Set a Budget
Deciding how much money you should spend is an important part. The cost of hiring a freelancer can vary a lot depending on where they live, how experienced they are, and how complex your project is. Here’s a rough idea to help you set your budget:
A freelancer from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Eastern Europe may charge 25% to 75% less than a developer from the USA for a similar website project.
Average Cost Comparison
- A Standard 5-page Website containing your Business information
- Freelancer: $200 – $2000+
- Developer in USA: $1000 – $5000+
- A Standard Blog Website
- Freelancer: $300 – $2000+
- Developer in USA: $1000 – $5000+
- A Stnadrad E-commerce Website
- Freelancer: $500 – $3000+
- Developer in USA: $2000 – $20000+
Remember, these numbers are just estimates and can change based on your specific needs.
Step 5: Select a Marketplace
Now that you have your requirements ready and a budget in mind, you can start finding the best freelancer for your project. There are several freelance marketplaces available, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Peopleperhour. Let’s explore the pros and cons of the two most popular ones: Fiverr and Upwork.
Fiverr has freelancers list their services at set prices. You can browse through the services and pick the one you want.
Upwork works differently. You post the job you need to be done and your budget. Then freelancers send you proposals with their ideas and prices. You have to review the proposals and choose the best one.
Here’s why I think Fiverr might be better if you’re new to this:
- On Upwork, you need to explain your needs very clearly when posting the job. If you’re confused about something, you might not describe it well. On Fiverr, freelancers already list what services they offer, so you can easily see if it matches what you need.
- If you’re new to this, you might not know the right price for your project. On Upwork, you set the budget first, which could lead to overpaying if you don’t know the normal rates. On Fiverr, freelancers set their prices, so you can see typical prices and have a better chance of finding a good deal.
- Some freelancers on Upwork don’t fully read your job post and send generic proposals. This could mean they don’t know what they are applying for and it will waste your time while reviewing proposals. On Fiverr, you can carefully review the service descriptions before hiring.
Both websites charge fees when you hire a freelancer. Fiverr charges 5.5%. For purchases under $75, an additional $2.5 small order fee will be applied.
When you hire on Upwork, you pay a 5% fee on all payments to freelancers, plus a one-time fee of up to $9.95 for starting a new contract.
As I mentioned earlier, I believe Fiverr is better suited for beginners. So, I’ll just show the process of hiring a freelancer on Fiverr. However, I’ll also provide a link to a video showing how to hire on Upwork for your reference.
Step 6: Hiring on Fiverr
Go to Fiverr.com and use the search box to find the services you need, such as “business website” or “blog website.” You will see lots of freelancers offering that particular service.
But with so many freelancers to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your project? Here are some useful tips:
Filtering Freelancers
When you search for the service you need on Fiverr, you’ll see tons of “gigs” or service listings. To narrow it down, you should filter the results:
Seller Level: Fiverr has different levels of sellers – New, Level 1, Level 2, and Top Rated. New sellers don’t have much experience, so quality may not be as good. But they are often the cheapest if you’re on a tight budget. Top-rated sellers are experienced and offer great service but cost the most. Level 1 and Level 2 are a good middle ground of quality and cost. Use the filter at the top to filter based on Levels.
Reviews & Ratings: Look at a seller’s overall rating (like 4.5 stars or higher out of 5) and read their latest reviews. High ratings and good reviews mean buyers were happy with their work and communication.
Shortlisting Freelancers
After filtering, shortlist around 5-7 freelancers whose gigs seem to match what you need well. Look for ones offering services very close to your needs and within your budget. You can check the packages, gig description, and FAQ for more details.
Talking to Freelancers
Message your shortlisted freelancers with all the details about your project, budget, deadlines, etc. While discussing, pay attention to:
Communication Skills: Good communication is key to a smooth working relationship. Look for a few things: Do they respond in a reasonable amount of time, like within 24 hours? When explaining your project details, do they ask clarifying questions to make sure they fully understand what you want? Do they use friendly language and make an effort to put you at ease?
Portfolio: Ask to see examples of past similar work they’ve done for others. This shows their actual skills. You can also get an idea of their design sense while surfing through the portfolio.
Pricing: When discussing with the freelancer, they may ask for a 20-30% higher price than their listed package. This is common on Fiverr. Your requirements may not exactly match their package, so some slight adjustments will cost you a few extra bucks.
Deadline: Freelancers usually deliver small projects in 1-2 weeks, but the delivery time may vary. If you need your project before the average deadline, it may cost more. Otherwise, it’s best to allow the freelancer enough time to deliver a good output.
Suggestions: A good freelancer doesn’t just follow instructions, but also provides professional input. They may recommend changes, additions, or alternatives to make your project even better than you originally planned. Freelancers who offer smart suggestions show they really understand your needs and want to deliver the best possible work. That’s a plus!
Placing the Order
After evaluating skills, portfolio, pricing, deadline, communication, and overall feeling, you can then hire the freelancer who seems the best fit.
If the freelancer has provided a custom quote based on your needs, they will send a custom offer via message. You can place the order from there.
Don’t just pick the cheapest – quality of work and good chemistry with the freelancer matters more. Paying a bit extra for proven skills is worth it.
With smart filtering and talking to multiple options, you have a good chance of finding that perfect freelancer on Fiverr – one who delivers great work at a reasonable cost!
Submitting the requirements
After you have placed the order, you will get a page to submit the requirements for the project. These requirements are set by the freelancer.
The requirements often include:
- Domain name
- WordPress login (If you don’t have a WordPress login, just provide the developer with your hosting account login)
- Website content (logo, text, images) that you have ready. If you don’t have the content ready, the freelancer will use placeholder (dummy) content.
These are the common requirements but there can be more. If anything confuses you, ask them for clarity.
Keep Track of Progress
After hiring a freelancer, it’s important to regularly check in with them to ensure they’re meeting milestones and deadlines. They may provide updates, but if not, ask for them.
Provide Feedback and Request Revisions
As your project progresses, it is recommended that you provide feedback to the freelancer. Let them know your thoughts about the current task so that you can collaboratively communicate and ensure that you get what you need.
If there are any aspects of the work that do not meet your expectations, you can request revisions from the freelancer after they have delivered the work. Most freelancers are open to feedback and willing to make revisions to ensure your satisfaction.
However, keep in mind that the number of revisions available may vary depending on the package you selected when placing the order. Some packages offer unlimited revisions while others offer a limited number.
Final Handover
When the freelancer delivers the final version of the project, carefully review the final website before approving and making the final payment.
Browse the entire website like a customer, testing all links, buttons, and functionality you requested. Review all text, images, and media to ensure it matches what you provided.
Test the website’s responsiveness on different devices like mobiles, tablets, and desktops. Note any issues or changes needed and provide clear feedback to the freelancer.
Once fully satisfied that the website meets all your requirements, you can then approve the project and release the final payment.
Don’t forget to change the login password you have provided for this project.
Leave a Review
After you approve the delivery, you will get an option to rate the freelancer. If he/she has done a good job, they deserve a 5-star review. If you think he/she needs improvements, you can highlight those areas.
Your review will not only help other buyers make informed decisions but will also serve as valuable feedback for the freelancer to improve.
If anything goes wrong
Sometimes things may not go as expected, and that’s okay. It is luck. But if you follow the process carefully, there’s a better chance that everything will turn out well.
If the freelancer fails to deliver what was promised after you’ve placed your order, you can always cancel and get all your money back.
Conclusion
That was the process. I tried to make it clear and go deep on every step. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you should be able to get your website built cost-effectively.
Working with freelancers comes with risks, but the potential benefits of getting a quality website for less money make it worth it. With patience and the right approach, you can navigate smoothly and get a website that meets your business goals.
If you have any questions, comment below. Share this article with your friends you may build websites from freelancers shortly.
