As businesses scale, their teams generally grow, but it’s costly to hire, train, and onboard new workers. To save time and money, many businesses prefer to hire contractors or freelancers who specialize in specific tasks, like web design or administrative services. When it comes to hiring freelancers, you’ll need to find qualified specialists who have the talents and know-how required to get the job done.
Here are some ways you can recruit top-notch workers outside of your company, then hire them to help your business achieve its goals.
First things first: every business needs an eye-catching, professional website. Your site will market your products and services to your potential clients or customers, and it’s also going to tell your future staff more about you. More sought-after candidates will be looking before they sign on, and just like your clientele, they will make a decision based on what they see.
Although there are website builders that allow you to create your own site without learning to code, they can be expensive in other ways. Customizations are limited, so you may not be able to add all the features you want, and the appearance tends to be run-of-the-mill. If you’re using a pre-built theme, you run the risk of losing credibility if your site looks too similar to other companies in your industry.
To ensure you stand out from the crowd and have all the features you need, consider hiring a professional web developer. The right web developer can create a website tailored to your specifications, with proper functionality and appearance. You can find a variety of top web developers (and PHP, JavaScript, and HTML developers) through online job platforms like Upwork.
Administrative Tasks
Repetitive daily tasks are prime candidates for outsourcing to freelancers. Virtual Assistants (VAs) are like freelance secretaries who work remotely while accomplishing a variety of administrative tasks. Some VAs will update your social media, manage overseas clients, or provide round-the-clock customer service.
If you can’t afford to hire human resources staff, you could outsource HR tasks to a VA or use an HR firm specializing in recruiting, background checks, or payroll. Because communication is critical and time zone differences can interfere with essential HR duties, Inc.com recommends outsourcing a portion of your HR needs.
Although hiring a professional freelancer will cost you a little extra money up front, it will save you from doing everything yourself. You can cut costs in the long run while hitting your business goals.
Stay Legal
Make sure you’re staying legal when it comes to hiring contractors. Many businesses hire employees and contractors to do similar tasks. However, freelancers and contractors have different tax and legal requirements than salaried employees.
To stay legal, the US Department of Health and Human Services advises that contractors must meet the following criteria:
- Your company cannot “control or have the right to control” the way the contractor gets the job done
- Your company cannot control a contractor’s business arrangements, such as payment arrangements or expense reimbursements.
- Your written contract with contractors and freelancers should not include employee benefits like “a pension plan, insurance, or vacation pay.”
For tax purposes, the IRS also provides its own right-to-control test to assess whether someone is a legal contractor or should be classified as an employee. Examine the overall relationship and how much direction and restriction your workers have, and properly document why you believe someone is a contractor or an employee.
Most people think of permanent employees when it comes to hiring, but businesses can thrive while working with freelancers. Identify your needs, hire the right person for the job, and make sure you follow legal guidelines. Handled properly, hiring contractors can help you reach your sales and marketing goals, while saving you the costs of onboarding new employees.
Guest post courtesy of Courtney Rosenfeld
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