Freelancing is revolutionizing the tech industry, redefining how businesses operate and innovate. By leveraging freelance talent, companies can tap into a vast global talent pool and engage top-tier professionals from diverse backgrounds, infusing projects with fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving. Furthermore, freelancers often bring specialized expertise in emerging technologies and niche areas, enabling companies to stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, thanks to the possibility of scaling teams on demand, companies gain unmatched flexibility and agility, making it possible to adapt to market shifts quickly, accelerate product development, and optimize costs.
This dynamic workforce model fosters innovation, enhances efficiency, and ultimately drives competitive advantage in the tech ecosystem. More and more companies are successfully using IT freelancers for critical development, cloud architecture, and AI solutions. Hybrid tech teams (employees + long-term contractors/freelancers) have recently become the norm, leveraging the best of both workforce models.
Nonetheless, some businesses remain reluctant to hire freelancers due to common myths and misconceptions or simply outdated beliefs that overlook recent changes in the IT labor market, especially since the pandemic.
Let’s address these misconceptions and examine the advantages of collaborating with freelance developers.
Myth #1: Freelancers are less reliable than employees
Some employers are concerned that freelancers might abandon a project before completion, leaving them scrambling to find replacements and causing costly delays.
However, the reality is quite different. First, because freelancers rely on their reputations for future work. Many freelancing platforms keep reviews and ratings available — and just like Uber drivers, poor reviews or ratings would severely jeopardize a freelancer’s business.
Second, risks are drastically reduced when a freelancer is provided with clear contracts, timely payments, and suitable communication tools.
Of course, it’s essential to vet candidates thoroughly and check their references. Companies like Jobshark, Toptal, or Proxify will do it for you.
As a matter of fact, freelancers can sometimes be even more dependable than full-time employees. After all, when a client is dissatisfied with a freelancer’s work, the collaboration can terminate swiftly; in contrast, a full-time employee might be given multiple chances — sometimes over the course not of months, but years — to correct their mistakes before any repercussions occur.
Myth #2: Freelance developers will outsource the work to cheaper counterparts in low-income countries
This myth is linked to the previous one, that is, that freelancers are unreliable. Some employers fear that a freelance developer will secretly subcontract work to another person, typically located offshore.
It is important to note that this risk is not exclusive to working with freelancers but also with employees.
Again, most freelance developers have a zeal for their work and reputation, as this is crucial for staying competitive in the market. Freelancing platforms often provide verified profiles and work histories to help identify reputable professionals.
Furthermore, companies can implement non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and contractual clauses to prevent unauthorized outsourcing. If you are using a serious freelancing platform, this is already regulated legally.
Myth #3: Compliance and legal risks make hiring freelancers too complicated
Concerns about tax issues, misclassification, and even intellectual property rights can lead companies to avoid hiring freelancers altogether.
This concern is legitimate, as there is indeed such a risk in certain countries that the freelancer can be classified as an employee, and/or you as an employer can face liabilities and/or tax-related issues.
To avoid any possible risks for both you and the freelancer, there’s the option of hiring through freelancing platforms like Jobshark or third-party companies to ensure compliance with local laws: the freelancer will sign a contract with the platform or provider, not with your company.
This clears any risks regarding taxes and intellectual property through detailed contracts. This solution is efficient also because it saves you the precious time you’d spend researching the intricacies of hiring freelancers in your country.
Myth #4: Freelancers are only suitable for short-term or simple tasks
Another fallacy is that freelancers can’t handle long-term or complex projects. This couldn’t be far from reality: many freelance developers work with clients for years, as those companies contract them for extended periods without a specified end date.
Myth #5: Communication issues make working with freelancers difficult
Some employers fear that remote freelancers won’t be responsive or available when needed, that is, during typical business hours. However, experienced freelancers will set clear response times and working hours. Additionally, collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Teams) can make remote work seamless, facilitating both synchronous and asynchronous communication — some freelancing platforms like Jobshark allow customers to communicate with freelancers using their preferred tools.
It should be noted that, depending on the project, time zone differences can be advantageous, leading to 24/7 productivity.
Finally, some employers in Europe insist on hiring only developers who speak the local language. However, this might limit their options amid the fierce competition for IT talent, particularly for niche skills. Offering opportunities to freelancers who don’t speak the local language, as long as they are fluent in English, can provide advantages that outweigh any potential drawbacks. Keep in mind that freelance developers are typically used to working and collaborating in international environments, which makes them more suitable for modern working models than many employees.
Many freelancing platforms assess a freelance developer’s English skills to ensure effective communication.
Myth #6: Following up on progress is difficult
Tracking progress can sometimes be challenging not due to the legal concerns mentioned in Myth #3, but because certain freelancing platforms restrict communication to their built-in tools, limiting flexibility and responsiveness. So, to avoid these constraints, it’s best to choose platforms that offer more seamless collaboration. For instance, Jobshark provides the flexibility to communicate freely through your own tools, allowing freelancers to integrate smoothly into your existing workflows.
Finally, keep in mind that having remote workers on your team can serve as a powerful catalyst for establishing clear, efficient processes that enhance productivity. When team members are sitting right next to you all day long, it’s feasible to rely on informal communication and spontaneous problem-solving. However, managing a remote team demands well-defined workflows and structured communication. This shift not only improves day-to-day operations but also strengthens the overall foundation of the business, fostering scalability and long-term success.
Myth #7: Costs are too hard to predict
Employers may believe that working with freelancers makes it challenging to manage costs effectively. That’s because, while employees’ salaries are fixed, freelancer invoices fluctuate depending on the amount of work done, making them less predictable.
However, companies using a freelancing platform can hire freelancers on fixed-hour or even fixed monthly models, which means their payments will remain stable.
Myth #8: Freelancers don’t contribute to the company’s bottom line
Some businesses assume that freelancers are just temporary workers who don’t add long-term value. However, the reality is quite different.
Hiring freelancers gives businesses the flexibility needed to adapt quickly to demand without long-term financial commitments. Many start-ups and established companies alike use freelance talent to drive growth while staying lean and competitive.
Besides that, freelance developers often bring direct and measurable benefits to a company’s financial performance. Many are hired for possessing niche skills that are essential for a groundbreaking project that generates revenue, such as building new features or improving user experience — therefore directly impacting a company’s bottom line.
Myth #9: Freelancers are unskilled
By no means hiring freelancers means sacrificing quality. Many freelance developers possess extensive experience and specialize in specific areas, often matching or exceeding the skills of full-time staff.
In fact, some of the world’s top developers work as freelancers. They pursue this path for various reasons, such as the desire to live in their home country while working for international companies — a trend that has become stronger since the pandemic popularized remote work. Another frequent reason why some developers choose freelancing is the flexibility to select clients and projects that truly interest them. Many freelancers have been employees in the past and have now reached a level of seniority where they feel they can bring substantial value without being in an office in a big city from 9 to 5 every day.
Myth #10: Freelancers are lone wolves who don’t collaborate as part of a team
Freelancers have every reason to collaborate as part of a team. They are adaptable professionals who know that teamwork is essential for success.
As said previously, some even work with the same teams for years, building relationships that are just as strong as those of full-time employees. Even when working remotely, many freelance developers are happy to travel and attend in-person meetings, workshops, and team-buildings.
Finally, these days, there’s a myriad of tools that allow real-time collaboration between employees and freelancers, no matter where they are located.
Conclusion: Why companies should embrace freelance talent
Hiring freelancers is a scalable, cost-effective, and flexible solution for tech teams. It is no passing fad, and companies that embrace freelance talent will gain access to a global pool of specialized expertise.
Businesses should explore hiring freelancers through trusted platforms like Jobshark, Proxify, Toptal, or Arc to avoid risks and maximize benefits.
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