The journey to find capable web scraping freelancers taught us invaluable lessons that helped us refine our approach and eventually led us to the right professionals who could genuinely meet our web scraping needs. In this article, we share what we learned from this experience.
Why should you hire a freelancer for your web scraping project?
When it comes to web scraping projects, there are times when hiring a freelancer can be a great option, and other times when it’s not the best choice. In this article, we’ll explore when hiring a freelancer for a web scraping project is a good idea and when it might not be the best option.
There are several compelling reasons why you should hire a freelancer for your web scraping project, but the primary factors often come down to two – budget and time constraints. Yes, freelancers offer a cost-effective and efficient solution, particularly when immediate attention is required without compromising quality. However, there are important considerations you need to make before making the decision. We will guide you go through the pros and cons of hiring a freelancer for web scraping, scenarios, and tips; so you can make an educated decision before wasting resources freelancer-hunting.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Freelancer
PROS
Can handle small jobs: Most service providers are equipped to handle smaller-scale tasks or projects efficiently.
Low cost: Freelancers offer their services at a competitive hourly rate and typically have lower overhead costs compared to agencies or full-time employees.
Lots of options to choose from: There is a wide range of professional freelancing nowadays, from more to less experience, at different locations and price structures.
Immediately available: Quick turnaround: Freelancers usually provide prompt responses and rapid project completion.
Have experiences and availability to do work we are unable to do: Freelancers possess the necessary expertise and availability to tackle tasks that may be beyond your capabilities or that you are unable to handle internally.
No commitment: When hiring a freelancer, you usually engage them for a specific project or a set period with no long-term commitment.
Can turn into a full-time employee: If the freelancer’s performance and compatibility align with your needs and expectations, they may be considered for a permanent role within the organization.
CONS
Communication issues: Language barriers and different time zones may interfere with clear communication
Lack of accountability: No commitment also means the freelancer can abandon the job anytime
False claims: There is the risk of encountering individuals who may make false claims about their skills or experience. If you assign them a job, they might not be able to deliver, resulting in wasted time and money.
Low quality: As freelancers work independently and are not bound by the same quality control measures as a company or agency, there is a potential risk of receiving work that is of lower quality than expected.
Need to micro-manage: no project management: While some freelancers may excel in self-management, others may require more supervision and guidance. This can consume additional time and effort on the part of the client.
Lack of control: When working with a freelancer, you have less direct control over their work schedule, priorities, and processes compared to hiring an in-house employee.
Limited availability for follow-up work: The lack of commitment can also create challenges if ongoing or continuous work is required. Clients may need to constantly search for and onboard new freelancers, which can be time-consuming and disrupt project continuity.
When hiring a freelancer for a web scraping project is a good idea:
You have a small project: Freelancers are a great fit for small projects, such as scraping data from a single website with only a few hundred outputs. Small web scraping projects typically require a limited time commitment, freelancers can easily accommodate them.
You have a small budget: Freelancers are cost-effective solutions and since you are paying for the hours and experience of only one professional, they are able to get the job for a cheaper price. If you have a low budget of up to $1,000, then a freelancer might be a good option.
You embrace the hiring process: It’s important to have the time and patience to deal with the process of hiring a freelancer, as it can be time-consuming and requires a lot of communication.
You have limited technical skills: Another reason to hire a freelancer is if you understand the technical part of the job but don’t have the technical skills or time to do it yourself.
You want to test and prove of concept: Freelancers can also be a good choice for proof-of-concept projects, where you’re not sure what you need yet and need someone to explore the data for you. If you’re willing to accept some risk and are okay with the possibility of failing and trying someone else, then hiring a freelancer might be a good option.
You need a fast turnaround: If you find a freelancer on a freelancing platform it is because they are available to work right away. Therefore, if you need scraping done immediately, then a freelancer may be the best choice. Moreover, the fact that you are dealing directly with the person that will perform the task does make the process more agile.
You require a no-commitment agreement: Freelancers can also be a good option if you don’t want any formal long-term commitment. You can terminate a freelancing project anytime, and will just need to pay for the agreed amount for the tasks delivered.
When hiring a freelancer for a web scraping project is NOT the best option
You work for a large organization and have a complex job: Large enterprises often deal with large and complex web scraping projects. Thus, freelancers may lack the necessary measures to meet these requirements. Reliability, scalability, and long-term commitment can be challenging for freelancers, leading to potential disruptions in project continuity. Moreover, large organizations can’t risk data quality. Cutting corners in quality results in inaccurate or unreliable data, leading to flawed insights and decision-making, which can result in major impacts on the organization.
If high-quality data is crucial: If your project requires a high level of accuracy and reliability, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may lack the experience or expertise required to produce the high-quality work you need. Additionally, they may not have the resources or tools to maintain data accuracy and completeness.
If the data you need is time-sensitive: If your web scraping project requires frequent updates, hiring a freelancer may not be practical. Freelancers may not be available to work on the project regularly or at the required frequency, leading to delays and missed deadlines.
If you have an ongoing project that requires a long-term commitment: If your project has a long timeline, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not be able to commit to working on the project for an extended period, and there may be a risk of losing continuity if they leave the project midway.
If you need a formal agreement: If your business requires a formal contract and agreement for your web scraping project, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not be able to provide the level of formal agreements and guarantees required for a long-term and complex project.
If you need customer service and technical support: If your business requires customer service and technical support for your web scraping project, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not have the resources or the experience to provide the level of customer service and technical support required for a complex project.
If you need a solution that aligns with your business: If you need more than just data extraction, such as a company that understands and cares about your business, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not have the time or resources to learn your industry requirements and adapt to future jobs.
If you require flexibility and adaptability: If you need the flexibility to make changes quickly, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not be available to make changes immediately, leading to delays and missed deadlines.
If you work at a corporate and have an involved IT department: If you are a corporate client with a web scraping project where IT will be highly involved, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not have the experience or resources to work with IT departments and meet the necessary standards and delivery requirements.
If your project requires multiple expertise: If you want to have multiple experts’ views and previous expertise desired, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not have the same level of expertise and experience as a professional company that specializes in web scraping.
If clear communication is a must: If you need communication to be online or in-person meetings, hiring a freelancer may not be the best option. Freelancers may not be available for meetings or may not be able to communicate effectively online. Many freelancers are from locations not speaking English, or English is a second language for them. Thus communication between you and freelancers might be more difficult than working with someone close to you in the U.S. or Canada.
Tips to help you on your outsourcing quest:
If you are under the category that hiring a freelancer for web scraping is indeed a good idea, here are some tips to make the outsourcing process smoother and increase your chances of finding the right freelancer for your job:
Transparency and confidence: Something that can really tell if a freelancer is indeed cable of doing the job is when they are able to seamlessly tell you their work process. When a freelancer is experienced, they can effortlessly go through the steps that they will need to take in order to complete the project. It is even better when they openly show you. Trust me, good freelancers are confident about their capacity and will not shy away from openly telling you, or showing you, how they do the work.
Assign test jobs: We developed an effective method for hiring freelancers – we utilized trial periods with different freelance web scrapers to test their capabilities. Assign less urgent or low-effort tasks to potential candidates helps ensure that the freelancer has the necessary skills to complete the task at hand. This approach enables you to evaluate their abilities without risking critical projects.
Define a timeline: Defining a timeline is also crucial to the success of any outsourcing project. I recommend setting a specific timeframe, such as one week, to ensure that the project progresses at a reasonable pace. This helps to avoid delays and gives the freelancer a clear idea of what is expected of them.
Keep costs low: In addition to setting a timeline, I suggest keeping the cost low or setting tiered milestones. This approach helps to manage costs and reduces the risk of overspending on a project that may not yield the desired results.
Demand guarantee: Hiring on a website that offers a guarantee or refund, such as Upwork, can also be helpful. This gives you some peace of mind, knowing that if the freelancer fails to deliver the expected results, you won’t be left empty-handed.
Prioritize communication: Finally, good communication skills are essential when outsourcing any project. You want to ensure that you and the freelancer are on the same page throughout the project. This means clearly outlining your expectations and providing regular feedback to the freelancer. It’s important to establish open lines of communication from the outset and maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout the project.
In conclusion, while hiring a freelancer for a web scraping project can be a cost-effective and immediate solution, it may not be the best option in all situations. When considering a web scraping project, it is essential to evaluate your business’s needs and requirements carefully and determine whether a freelancer or a professional web scraping company is the best fit.