Freelance Agency or Freelance Platform: What’s the Difference?

Here is a question I get asked all the time: “Why choose an agency when there are so many “free” freelance platforms?” As someone who has worked for and used both, I thought I’d share my insights on how to choose the best option for your business. 

​Finding a freelancer can be a lengthy and overwhelming process, so making sure you’re choosing the right freelancer from the start can save you an incredible amount of time and money. Both freelance platforms and agencies can help to make this process easier, saving you countless hours you would otherwise have spent on recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding.  ​

Popular freelance platforms include Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. There are plenty of platforms to choose from, but they are all relatively similar in what they do. Most freelance platforms are publicly traded and owned by large companies. This gives them the ability to offer a wide range of services, but it also means their sites have the widest possible pool of applicants and less oversight in general. 

Agencies are typically small businesses who offer a smaller, more specialized range of services. Some agencies specialize in lower prices, overseas contractors, or very specific types of services (like marketing, graphic design, and much more). Here at First Pick, we specialize in training and mentoring our freelancers to ensure high quality service and happy client relationships.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether to hire a freelancer from a freelance platform or an agency. 

Here are some of the biggest differences I’ve found between working with an agency vs a freelance platform: 

Overall, working with an agency can save you time, money, and headaches. Virtual assistant and freelance agencies are not just more personalized -  they also tend to have higher quality freelancers with a track record of success and reliability. Additionally, agencies allow you to work with a team of freelancers when needed, giving you the freedom to access other skills more readily with no additional recruiting. 

We highly recommend choosing an agency, ours or others, over a freelance platform to ensure you are getting the best quality freelancers and the most reliable service. If you are ready to get started with a VA you can schedule a free consultation. You can also check out our pricing and services for more information.

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