February 23, 2023 Published by Krisana Estaura

Should You Hire a Graphic Designer Online? The Pros and Cons

Discover the pros and cons of hiring a graphic designer online. Learn if this is the right choice for you and your business in this comprehensive guide.

As businesses strive to stay competitive in the digital age, many are turning to online services to fulfill their needs. In fact, there are over 400,000 businesses worldwide that are utilizing graphic designs for their marketing efforts.  

Hiring a graphic designer online is one popular option for those looking for a cost-effective way to bring their marketing materials and web content to life. But while this may be an attractive option, there are pros and cons associated with hiring a graphic designer online that should be carefully considered before making the investment.

Pros of Hiring a Graphic Designer Online

Here are the top reasons why hiring a graphic designer online may be the right choice for you:

1. Access to a global pool of talent

Hiring a graphic designer online provides access to an incredible global pool of talent. With the internet, companies no longer have to limit their search for the perfect graphic designer to the local area. Instead, they can tap into professionals living across the world who may have more experience and be better suited for a given project. Data show freelance graphic designers make up around 90% of those in the industry and this number is likely to increase since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is especially beneficial in today's highly competitive business environment where success is often dependent on having access to top-tier talent. Companies that hire graphic designers online can quickly find talented individuals with diverse skill sets who are also able to work within tight deadlines and budgetary constraints. They can also benefit from hiring remote workers, as this helps them save money from not needing an onsite office space or paying expensive agency fees.

2. Cost-effective

Hiring a graphic designer online is becoming an increasingly popular way to get quality design work done quickly and efficiently. One of the major advantages of this approach is its cost-effectiveness. By hiring a skilled graphic designer online, organizations can save time and money on their design projects without sacrificing quality. 

One way organizations can benefit from hiring a graphic designer online is that they don't need to pay for physical office space or other overhead costs associated with traditional designers. Furthermore, remote designers are often able to offer competitive rates because they do not have the same overhead expenses as in-house designers. Additionally, remote designers often have access to the latest tools and technology, enabling them to create high-quality designs without having to invest in expensive equipment or software.

3. More flexibility in communication and collaboration

Having more flexibility in how businesses communicate with their graphic designer can be beneficial for both parties. It allows for faster communication, as well as the ability to collaborate no matter where you are in the world. Digital tools available through an online platform also provide greater control over feedback and revisions, allowing you to easily adjust your design until it meets your expectations. 

Moreover, working with a remote graphic designer may offer more value than working with someone locally due to their range of skill sets and experiences from around the world. A remote graphic designer can provide unique insight into design trends that may not be present at home, giving your project a creative edge that stands out from the rest.

 

Cons of Hiring a Graphic Designer Online

Below are some of the cons of working with a graphic designer online.

1. Difficulty in differentiating skilled designers from non-skilled ones

Difficulty in differentiating skilled designers from non-skilled ones can be an issue as hiring the wrong designer could cost businesses both time and money. 

For starters, it is difficult for companies to properly assess a potential applicant’s skillset without seeing any concrete evidence of their past work. As such, businesses may have no way of knowing if they are hiring someone with enough experience or talent for the job at hand. Even if applicants provide links to portfolios or samples of their work, there is still no guarantee that these will accurately reflect their true capabilities as graphic designers.

2. Lack of personal interaction

Lack of personal interaction is a major disadvantage when it comes to hiring a graphic designer online. An in-person meet-up with the designer allows you to get an understanding of their design process and make sure that their style matches yours. In addition, meeting face-to-face provides the opportunity for both parties to have a real conversation, which can be more effective than communicating via email or text message.

When dealing with a graphic designer online, there is no opportunity for the client and designer to meet directly, meaning that all communication is done through digital channels such as emails and video conferencing tools. While this can be beneficial in some cases due to its convenience, it can also cause misunderstandings between both parties due to a lack of clarity in communication.

3. Possible communication challenges

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings regarding the project and expectations, resulting in delays or an unsatisfactory final product. One of the most difficult aspects of working with a graphic designer online is overcoming language barriers. If English isn’t your native language or that of your chosen designer, miscommunications can easily arise from wording or grammar issues. This is especially true for complex projects where attention to detail is key. 

Another challenge faced by companies hiring designers online is limited face-to-face interaction which makes it harder to express ideas clearly and get feedback quickly. Getting a clear picture of the final outcome is also difficult when working with someone you haven't met in person.

 

How to Mitigate the Cons of Hiring a Graphic Designer Online

Listed below are some tips for working with a graphic designer online to ensure that your project is a success. 

1. Research and check portfolios

Hiring a graphic designer online can be an intimidating task. Not knowing who you're hiring and having limited ability to review their portfolio can make it difficult to trust the quality of their work. However, there are a few tips you can use to ensure that the designer you hire meets your expectations. 

  • First, research potential designers by visiting their websites or portfolios.
  • Take note of any awards or recognition they’ve received and read reviews about them from past clients if available.
  • Ask for samples of work that are relevant to your project and get a feel for the style and techniques used in each piece. This will give you an idea of what kind of design they specialize in and whether it fits your needs.  
  • Lastly, when reviewing portfolios, look out for consistency in terms of quality throughout the designer's body of work.

2. Use digital communication tools effectively

Using digital communication tools effectively is essential to make sure you get the best results when hiring a graphic designer online. To ensure that projects are completed correctly and on time, there are steps businesses can take to maximize their success when working with an online graphic designer. 

The first step is understanding how best to communicate with your chosen professional via digital platforms.

  • Articulate your vision for the project clearly and provide them with any additional information or resources they may require.
  • It's important for both parties involved to be organized and keep track of conversations, designs, revisions, and deadlines through shared documents or messaging platforms like Slack or Asana. This will prevent miscommunications from happening down the line and streamline collaboration between both parties throughout the entire process.

3. Establish clear communication expectations

The key to successful remote collaborations lies in setting up a transparent and organized workflow from the very start. Establishing clear communication expectations requires creating meaningful dialogue between both parties early on to understand each other’s needs and objectives. This should include details such as which methods of communication will be used (e-mail, video chat, or phone), how often you will check in as well as when deadlines are expected to be met.

 

Subscribing to Unlimited Graphic Design Service

Given the disadvantages that come with hiring a graphic designer online, a good alternative is subscribing to an unlimited graphic design service. Subscribing to an unlimited service allows businesses to have access to a team of professional and experienced graphic designers who can provide quality designs at a fraction of the cost. Not only will they be able to get a wide range of creative ideas and concepts but also benefit from faster turnaround times due to the presence of multiple designers working on projects simultaneously. 

Furthermore, with this service, businesses can easily scale up or down their design needs when needed as they don't need to hire additional staff or worry about contracts and other legalities that come with individual freelance designer companies.

 

Final Thoughts

There are both pros and cons to hiring a graphic designer online. It can be a great way to get quality design work done at an affordable price, while also allowing you the freedom to work with someone from anywhere in the world. 

However, there are some risks involved and it's important to research potential designers carefully and ask for references before making your decision. Ultimately, whether or not hiring a graphic designer online is the right choice for you depends on your specific needs and budget. 

Subscribing to unlimited graphic design services may be one of the most cost-effective alternatives to hiring graphic designers online. It can be a great way to get quality design work done at an affordable price, while also allowing you the freedom to work with someone from anywhere in the world. 

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Krisana EstauraKrisana is a journalist turned SEO Content Writer with keen interest in tech, software, and innovations. She is an avid fan of Elon Musk and wants to be part of the future Human Mars Mission. In the meantime, she spends her time researching and writing about everything that could make life a better place on Earth. Outside of work, Krisana dedicates her time with her two lovely kids.