Web Agency vs Freelancer in Montreal: Making the Right Choice

What you get with freelance developers: Advantages: - Lower hourly rates ($75-$150 vs $100-$175) - Direct communication (no account managers) - Flexible, can adapt quickly - Personal attention to your project - Good for smaller, defined projects Disadvantages: - Single point of failure (illness, vacation) - Limited capacity (one person's time) - May lack specialized skills - No team to bounce ideas off - Business continuity risk Ideal for: - Budgets under $15,000 - Well-defined small projects - Ongoing maintenance tasks - Specific technical needs - Startups with limited capital Red flags: - Can't show similar past work - Poor communication before contract - No contract or vague terms - Unwilling to provide references - Prices significantly below market

What you get with Montreal agencies: Advantages: - Team with diverse skills - Established processes - Business continuity (team doesn't disappear) - Project management included - Quality assurance and testing - Can handle complex projects - Professional contracts and insurance Disadvantages: - Higher rates ($100-$175/hour blended) - May feel less personal - Account manager layer - Minimum project sizes - Overhead costs passed to clients Ideal for: - Budgets over $20,000 - Complex projects - Mission-critical websites - Ongoing support needs - Businesses needing reliability Red flags: - Evasive about team experience - Can't show relevant portfolio - Pressure tactics for commitment - Vague proposals and contracts - Offshore-heavy teams (when claiming local)

Real numbers for typical projects: Simple website (5-10 pages): - Freelancer: $3,000-$8,000 - Agency: $5,000-$15,000 - Difference: ~50% more Business website (10-20 pages): - Freelancer: $8,000-$18,000 - Agency: $12,000-$30,000 - Difference: ~40% more E-commerce store: - Freelancer: $12,000-$35,000 - Agency: $20,000-$60,000 - Difference: ~50% more Web application: - Freelancer: Often not capable - Agency: $30,000-$200,000 - Difference: Agencies required for complexity Ongoing maintenance: - Freelancer: $50-$100/hour as needed - Agency: $500-$2,000/month retainer - Difference: Depends on usage Agencies cost more but provide more comprehensive service. Value depends on your needs.

Understanding the risks: Freelancer risks: - Availability (other clients, illness) - Knowledge loss if they leave - Limited capacity for urgent work - No backup if quality issues - Business and personal life overlap Mitigating freelancer risks: - Choose established freelancers - Check multiple references - Require code documentation - Maintain your own backups - Have contingency contacts Agency risks: - Juniors may do work (despite senior pitch) - Turnover (your developer may leave) - Higher costs - Less flexibility - May not prioritize small clients Mitigating agency risks: - Ask who specifically works on your project - Request team bios - Check agency longevity - Read contracts carefully - Set clear communication expectations Neither option is risk-free. Choose based on risk tolerance and project importance.

Freelancers make sense when: Project characteristics: - Budget under $15,000 - Clear, well-defined scope - Standard features (no complex custom work) - Flexible timeline - Ongoing small tasks Business situation: - Limited capital (startup, small business) - Can handle some project management - Comfortable with technical concepts - Not mission-critical project - Want direct communication Successful freelancer projects: - Brochure websites - WordPress customizations - Maintenance and updates - Specific technical tasks - Design work Find good Montreal freelancers: - Referrals from trusted sources - Montreal tech community - University alumni networks - Portfolios on Dribbble, Behance - LinkedIn searches Vet thoroughly before hiring.

Agencies make sense when: Project characteristics: - Budget over $20,000 - Complex requirements - Multiple disciplines needed (design, development, SEO) - Tight deadline - Mission-critical system Business situation: - Established company - Can't afford project failure - Need ongoing support - Lack internal technical expertise - Want professional processes Successful agency projects: - E-commerce platforms - Web applications - Large business websites - Complex integrations - Bilingual projects Find good Montreal agencies: - Montreal tech community - Industry referrals - Chamber of Commerce - Online portfolios - Quebec business directories Vet portfolio and check references thoroughly.