office web-developer vs freelance web-developer

Question

I would like to get some ideas what changes when shifting from a freelance Web Developer to a company's Web Developer (vise versa). This would be a wiki and would just like to hear your opinion and experiences.

Thanks!

Answer 1

As a freelance worker, I find that I don't get involved in office politics as much.

I am also treated as more of an authority on the specific technologies I was hired as an expert of.

The work relationship also tends to become more professional.

However, you don't get paid leave or any benefits (pension, medical etc).

Answer 2

Differently of Oded, I think when you work at a company clients tend do relate to you more professionally. People often think that I would be always available for being a freelance. I'd find myslef working on saturdays and sundays up to the night. Also, working at a company you have your salary guaranteed (if you work at a serious place, at least) :), while as a freelancer you have to be a good money manager to get through rough times when good projects aren't coming to you (it just happens).

Of course, if you're very disciplined as a freelancer you probably can find my time for yourself and your family. That's just not my case.

Answer 3

As a freelancer you get to do what you want when you want as long as you make the deadline. As a corporate worker you get to do what your project manager wants when your boss wants.

Some disadvantages of being a freelancer are: you can have long periods of time without any income, if you hit a bump on the road you don't have co-workers to ask for help, and everything that needs to be done, you have to do it.

As a corporate worker you have a steady income, you have co-workers maybe with a little more experience than you that can come in handy, and all the work is done as a team (more money in less time).

If you work from home it can be hard sometimes to get yourself started, while as an employee if you don't get yourself started there is always someone to motivate you.

So when shifting from freelance to employee you need to get accustomed to some naming conventions, ways of using some classes etc. and it can be difficult at first but you'll get used to it. When shifting vice-versa you'll find that you have a little more freedom but a lot less help and a whole lot more work.

Answer 4

In an freelance development you are a self entrepreneur as you have less resources and you have you manage your reputation in market. People will only like to get work done from you only if you can give them some value addition. In an office environment you do not have to worry about saving your own name as you can even do that by giving the best but possibly the company's name would be more of highlight than you.

your requirements can change overnight and in office you have a process which marks down every change request. You have to be sure about your deadlines when in freelancing state while in office you seniors can better manage your clients with some approachable process and appropriate excuses.

Freelancing means open playground to work without any safety nets your are the reason for your success and failure, in office environment you have many other aspects relative to your success and failure.

I hope my words suffice the answering quality for this question.

Answer 5

Money and work are really the two biggest things, and they're related. I do both freelance and work a 9-5 (more like 8-6) job with an employer who's supportive. I am lucky to be able to pick and choose my freelance projects so they'll allow me to push envelopes we could never even approach at work.

Here's the thing: at work, we get paid no matter how productive we are. Obviously, the better we do, the better the business does. But if I need to spend 3 hours cleaning up old code, that's part of the deal. I still have to get my work done, but I can afford to spend a little extra time here and there to make things right. With freelance, I'd tear my hair out trying to do that--I'd do it, but for me it'd mean 3 hours less sleep. When I've been in the position where I was doing JUST freelance, it would mean 3 hours that I'm working but not getting paid, and that can get costly in a hurry. Finding new work when you're out can also be a REALLY stressful situation. And, unless you're really good and have a ton of work, it can be really tough to charge enough to really make a good living (consider you're paying your own salary AND benefits) There's always another guy around willing to do a site for $500....

Freelance clients can really be a drag, especially when you're hard up for work. Before I was a developer I worked in Sports and Marketing, which are very people dependent....so I like interacting. But trying to beat a final payment out of someone is about the least fun thing I can think of. It also gets old "waking up at the office" I like the change of scenery I get going to work each day, and I'm far more motivated in the presence of others.

Freelance does have its advantages--I've never done two similar websites back to back yet. Everything for me seems new, and I get to do things right which I'm a stickler for. And, you set your schedule...which is dangerously cool.