What are the risks of hiring freelancers for website development?

I am planning to hire a freelancer web developer to design and develop a website for our company in Dubai. Is it safe to hire a freelancer?

I found that the cost for freelance web developers is very low compared to other big agencies. While some agencies quoted more than 25,000 AED for website development, I found the freelancers charge less than AED 2,000 for developing a corporate website. 

What are the risks involved in using freelancers to develop my website?

Having worked in the web development field since 1998, I’ve encountered many situations involving freelancers. I myself has worked as a freelancer for many clients during my early years of web development services. While freelancers can offer flexibility and cost savings, there are significant risks to consider when hiring them for website development. 

I am sharing my experience working with freelancers in Dubai, based on:

1. My experience as a freelancer 

2. My experience working with clients who have hired freelancers in the UAE

3. My current experience in a digital agency which occassionally depends on some freelancers to get some quick work done

Here are the key concerns I’ve observed when working with freelance web developers in the UAE:

1. Variable Quality of Work

I’ve seen firsthand how freelancer web developers in the UAE can vary greatly in skill and expertise. Unlike established agencies with teams of specialists, a freelancer might not have the same breadth of experience, which can lead to inconsistent quality in the final product.

2. Lack of Accountability

One of the challenges with freelancers is their varying levels of accountability. If a freelancer fails to meet deadlines or deliver as promised, it can be difficult to address these issues. There’s often less recourse than with a reputable agency, where you have a contract and a team to hold accountable.

3. Communication Challenges

Freelancers can sometimes be difficult to communicate with, especially if they’re in different time zones or if language barriers exist. I’ve experienced projects getting delayed due to misunderstandings that could have been avoided with clearer communication. If you are based out of UAE and hiring freelancers from countries like India, Philippines or other countries, you may experience many communication challengers. So, it is important to have direct communication with the freelancer and check his communication skills before you even enter into a contract.

4. Limited Support and Maintenance

After a project is completed, many freelancers don’t provide ongoing support or maintenance. This can leave you in a tough spot if you run into issues or need updates down the line. I’ve often found that clients are left without the help they need after the initial launch. If you are hiring freelancers from outside the UAE, you may find it difficult to get proper support. 

5. Project Management Difficulties

If your project requires collaboration between multiple freelancers—like designers, developers, and content creators—it can be a logistical nightmare. Managing these relationships can lead to a lack of cohesion in the final product, which is something I’ve seen many times. If you can find a freelance developer in the UAE who can handle all aspects of web development including UI design, front-end development, back-end development, database work and overall project coordination, you can eliminate this problem. 

6. Risk of Non-Completion

Freelancers may take on too many projects, leading to burnout or prioritizing other jobs over yours. This can result in missed deadlines or, in some cases, non-completion of your project altogether. As part of a leading web development agency in Dubai, I have seen many clients coming to our agency with projects that were abandoned in the middle since they hired a freelancer to save cost. 

7. Security Risks

There can be security vulnerabilities if freelancers don’t follow best practices. If they aren’t experienced in security protocols, your website could be exposed to risks like data breaches, which can be a serious concern.

Conclusion - risks involved in hiring freelancers in Dubai for web development

Given these risks, I generally recommend avoiding freelancers for anything beyond very small website or blog development. For larger, more complex projects, it’s usually a better investment to work with a professional agency that offers a team of experienced developers, designers, and project managers. I can suggest many good web development agencies in Dubai you can hire. This approach not only provides greater accountability and support but also enhances the overall quality of the final product. Investing in a reputable agency can save you time and headaches in the long run.