Does Your Small Business Need to Hire a Digital Freelancer?

By Talitha Turkin

Let’s face it, a lot of work goes into running a business. Small business owners are asked to wear a lot of hats and manage many projects simultaneously. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it, mainly when that help will be used for a digital project outside your comfort zone. You may know every one of your regulars by name, which products sell, and when to advertise them — but a digital freelancer can still bring specialized information to the table.

Tap into Specialized Knowledge

If you’re running a salon, restaurant, or dry cleaning business, there’s no need to master the world wide web. Taking on a project that is well beyond your comfort zone may save you a little money in the beginning, but it will take a lot of research, labor, and upkeep to get any project off the ground. Take creating a website, for example. While you may be able to buy the domain and upload a few images and text boxes, do you know how to implement SEO? Will you be able to produce relevant, weekly content? Can you manifest the web design of your dreams? For all of these topics and more, some specialized freelancers can easily bring your vision to life. Websites like Upwork or Freelancer are a great way to find and connect with the people who can build your small business online. These websites are also an excellent way for small businesses to connect with rising talent on a budget. Where you may not have thought your business had the budget to hire an entire digital team, you can afford a few builds, assets, or brainstorms from a freelancer.

What Projects Can You Hire a Digital Freelancer for?

Many small businesses are lucky enough to have artists or web-savvy pros among their friends and family. While this can be a blessing, you’re more likely to cave and accommodate their vision instead of your own. Consulting with these individuals can be valuable because it can help you hone in on your ideal branding and give you the tools you need to discuss projects with freelancers.

One and Done Projects

Projects like creating logos, websites, product photos, and descriptions are all things you can easily outsource to a freelancer. These tasks are great because you can learn how to update them yourself once you have the finished product. For example, once someone has created a website for you, ask them to walk you through changing the different elements on your webpage. Hence, you’re prepared to accommodate new promotions or updated product descriptions. Once you have access to your website, you can always read or watch tutorials to learn how to use your specific CMS builder but will have escaped the nitty-gritty back-end building and coding that goes into getting started.

Logos

A freelancer can either be hired to update or create your logo from scratch. While you may have a sense of what you want your logo to look like, you may not be a pro with Photoshop or InDesign. Trusting a freelancer to create the logo digitally will make your life easier. Ask them to create several different versions or mock-ups so that you have options. If you want to combine elements from two or three different designs, don’t be afraid to ask! The important thing is to trust in the freelancer’s ability to bring your vision to life.

Websites

Building a website is a lot easier than it seems, thanks to website builders like Wix and Squarespace. Others like WordPress will be a lot more difficult to get the hang of, so read up on your options to know which builder to go with. Purchase your ideal domain (or URL), so you can choose the name your website will live under. If you can, try to purchase the domain after you get started on a website builder to purchase it directly through the builder itself. Otherwise, try using Google’s domain retailer and watch out for anything that looks like a scam. Small, buggy websites or anything that requests more than $100 for your domain is looking to rip you off. Once you have a website builder you feel comfortable with and your domain secured, you can start to imagine what you want your website to look like. Peruse your competitors’ sites to draw inspiration and create a plan your freelancer can work within. Securing a builder and domain ahead of time will make it all the easier for them to build out your site and guarantee that you have a portal you feel comfortable updating in the future.

Product Photography and Descriptions

While you might know your products or services inside and out, you might not know how to write copy. Remember that copywriting is a skill just like any other, and establishing a natural flow in your description can incentivize new purchases. Creating keyword-rich descriptions can also help your products get found online. There are many tricks a freelancer can help you with to make your website more searchable, so make sure to ask them what they can do for your business’s SEO. For example, where a PDF or photo may look great, it won’t show up when someone searches “Best Burrito in Kansas City.” Digital freelancers can embed “alt text” in your photos so they become searchable on search engines, which can help you rank higher in search engine results. Most customers will only stick with the first page of search engine results, so it’s essential to do what you can to show up for more than just your exact business name.

Unconventional Advertising

Once your freelancer gets all your digital assets in order, it’s time to show them off. Look into printing supermarket advertisements with your new URL listed to get locals excited about your brand. Grocery store advertising is the easiest way to reach customers in your area, and through programs like coupon receipt advertising, you can share your new logo with every single shopper. Combining grocery store advertising targeting with a strong digital campaign is one of the easiest ways small businesses can get a leg up on their competition today.

Tags: Online Advertising

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