Earning A Living As A Freelancer Vs. Company Web Designer

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I’ve been working as a web designer for a local company for 9 months now and I’ve been part-time freelancing since 2008 except for the brief time in early 2010 when it was my livelihood (possibly my most proudest moment to date).  So I have composed a ‘versus’ list which consists of the advantages and disadvantages I’ve encountered being an permanent employee web designer and a freelancer.

Some of my friends and my family members are telling me to go solo (self-employment).  But with this post, I hope I can sort of offer some advantages of actually working for a company.

*Please note that freelancers are considered ‘employees’ also, especially to the person who is hiring them.  So in this sense, I use the word ‘employee’ meaning permanent employee of a company, as opposed to a freelancer who is a temporary employee.

1. Freedom.  Winner: Freelancer
   The best thing about being a freelancer would be freedom.  You are given a deadline, but you don’t have to work every single hour of every single day if you don’t want to.  As long as you meet your deadline, it’s all good.  There’s close to no such thing under a company.  You have to come to work in the morning, and you leave in the late afternoon like every other job in this world.  Now where’s the fun in that?
2. Executive Decisions.  Winner: Freelancer
   Another great thing about freelancing would be the decision-maker and project leader in all your projects.  I get to choose my clients and projects.  Under a company you are forced to score with every single potential client; whether or not the project is something you’re personally and technically up for.  You have to keep a smile on your face at all times, and bear it.
3. Financially Stressful.  Winner: Freelancer
   Every single penny is hard-earned when you’re a freelancer.  Nothing is easy.  It’s a one-man show: you have to market yourself, you have to earn your clients, you have to find enough clients, and you have to make sure you get paid after the project to make ends meet.  Worst of all, most of the time you are trying to meet the demands of the competition so you have to offer very affordable rates for your services, and this doesn’t make things any easier.  In a company, you have a set salary at the end of each month whether the economy goes down or not.  Some months are more stressful than others in terms of workload, but as long as you are employed you will get paid.  The very big advantage with this is that you get to plan your finances better, since you know your minimum income for every month.
4. Discipline.  Winner: Employee
   One of the most challenging obstacles of being a freelancer would be discipline.  This is because of the amount of freedom you have, plus the executive decisions and choices.  There has been circumstances whereby I refused clients solely because I wasn’t up to working that week or whatnot.  In a company, I have to work during certain working hours, and this really instills a lot of discipline in me.  Although some days it’s unmotivating to be ‘locked’ in an office from dawn ‘til dusk, it keeps me mentally grounded in a way.
5. Technical Challenges.  Winner: Employee
   I must admit, I’ve learned quite a bit (albeit on my own) working under a company.  This is because sometimes I’m faced with tasks I’m not always 100% sure I can complete.  But by the end of the project, the task is completed and I have learnt something new.  If I were freelancing however, I would not normally embark on such technical challenges.  As time is money, I would keep to the things I already know how to do very well.
6. Inspiration.  Winner: Freelancer
   The first time I cashed out my earnings from a few websites I did as a freelancer, I couldn’t contain the smile on my face.  This was because the cash was extremely hard-earned.  From the initial contact of the potential client, to keeping the client and earning that money…it was a great feeling because it was 100% mine.  I haven’t smiled like that in a very long time.  Once in a while, a client at work will tell me that I’m doing a great job and that they are really happy with my work.  It’s also a great feeling, but there’s always that possibility of ulterior motives (e.g. trying to sneak-in a few additional features for their website or whatever that they don’t want to be charged for).  Freelancing is very inspirational because you’re always trying to find new ways and new things to earn that cash, and when you have a returning client, it’s just pure success.
7. Official Experience.  Winner: Employee
   Let’s face it, how many companies would take you seriously if the only experience you have has been freelancing? Unless you’ve had very big and famous clients of course, but what are the chances of that for newbie designers? Companies only want to see how many years you’ve worked for a solid company.  So in my opinion, this round goes to being a permanent employee.
8. Portfolio.  Winner: Tie
   I can’t make up my mind which is better for my portfolio.  While freelancing, in most cases you’re give a lot of space to express your creativity.  In this case, my portfolio during my freelancing days are a lot more colourful and interesting in a way.  As an employee though, we are approached by bigger clients who are well-known either in the country or around the world.  This is all that counts for prospective employees; if you’ve done a website for a prestigious company, they will respect you and probably hire you.  My mockups are also a lot more aesthetic when I design for the company I work for.  Mockups are not always that necessary when freelancing because through personal experience the clients are more concerned with turnaround rather than excellent design.
9. Taxes.  Winner: Freelancer
   I’m sure that I don’t even have to explain why this round obviously goes to freelancers. ?
10. Holidays.  Winner: Employee.
    Freelancers can take holidays at anytime of the year, and they determine the duration.  Employees however, are only given a few weeks leave every year and they must apply for it (application for leave can be denied).  Although this sucks big time for employees, freelancers only earn when they work.  Every day not spent working means a penny not earned.  Employees on the other hand, can choose to cash in their leave…which means money for doing squat.  There’s nothing like ‘free’ money.

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