As a web designer, there is a lot of competition out there. But, I still have plenty of projects and get to work with great clients! That’s not to say that I’ve missed out on or had to turn away projects. I can’t be all things to all people, and I may not be the best fit for every client’s needs.
There have even been people who first come to me, but then later find other designers (most of the time, it’s a friend or relative) to complete the project, which is fine. I don’t love that scenario, but it happens.
But, the “competition” I hate the most…
Outsourcing websites – particularly Fiverr.
(Other websites like oDesk and Elance are not as bad, and I’ll explain why later on.)
As the founder of Fiverr told Yahoo in this article, “When we looked at what was out there, we realized that there were options for people that were willing to work for as little as one cent or if you are a very professional freelancer, you probably have some options. But in between, there is a huge gap.”
I don’t know why, but Facebook likes to torture me with ads for Fiverr (or Tailor Brands and other similar services). Why they have graphic designers in their ad targeting, I’m not sure.
Since my first post about this topic, I’ve seen even more people recommending Fiverr, or saying things like, “I refuse to spend more than $100 on branding. Who do you recommend?”
Before I go any further, I want to clarify something. If you are a blogger who just blogs as a hobby and you don’t want to monetize, OR you are part of a rural soccer team who just wants a logo to throw on a shirt, OR anything else that is just a fun hobby — this article does not apply to you. Not wanting to invest hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in a hobby is completely understandable.
Are Fiverr designers stealing clients?
I’ve had several people argue that maybe I should just stop being afraid of these Fiverr designers stealing my clients, that maybe it’s my own fault I’m not more confident of my work + value.
Let’s get one thing straight. I am not afraid of Fiverr designers.
My ideal clients value my expertise and time. If someone is hunting for a designer and, after talking to me, decides to go with Fiverr instead, they are not an ideal client.
Now, there may be appropriate times to use Fiverr, but not for your branding or website. Maybe you just need someone to remove the background of one photo, to change out some colors on a PDF, or to fix a small glitch on your website. I still hate the idea of someone only getting $5 for their time and work, but small tasks like those I just mentioned are at least closer to the $5 range than having your entire brand or website created.
The value of professional design vs. $5 Fiverr logos
Services like these are just a band-aid, in most cases. You’re (probably) not working with someone that has been trained, and has experience, in creating a brand that accurately reflects you or strategically building websites. $5 will not get you quality design that converts and makes sales. (And sometimes, the work you’re getting from Fiverr designers is stolen.)
Many of the Facebook ads from Fiverr try to convince the audience that paying $100 (which is ridiculously cheap for a logo already) for a logo is a rip-off — “You’re paying too much for design.” (WHAT?!)
There’s also Tailor Brand ads that talk about the “zero effort” it takes to design a logo.
If you’re willing to drop $200 on things like concert tickets, jeans, or a night out with your spouse, why are you not willing to invest in what is one of the most important aspects of your business?
You’re not just paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to a Photoshop monkey to design for you. You’re paying someone who understands the psychology behind font and color choices, who knows why responsive design is important, and talks with you about the goals of your business. Good design can only go so far. Knowing your voice, your target audience, the personality of your brand, and the goals that you have as a business owner helps designers (like me) strategically make choices in designing your brand and website.
Are cheap Fiverr design services really worth it?
I love donuts. I don’t let myself eat them often, but when I do, I love to go to one particular bakery… Sara’s Donuts.
Now, before I knew about this bakery, the nearest place to grab a donut is at our local convenience store. The best part, is after 3 p.m., the leftover, usually stale and broken, donuts are only 59 cents. They’re not my favorite, but if Sara’s is closed, it will do. (Yes, I am this particular about donuts.)
Sara’s Donuts, on the other hand, has large, fresh, made-from-scratch donuts that are to. die. for. And, while they’re not out of this world, ridiculous expensive, they cost just a bit more than your convenience store donuts. But, they’re SOOOO worth it throwing down a few extra dollar bills.
Why am I talking about donuts here?
Because, while convenience can suffice for awhile, it’s worth it to pay more for quality.
What you get when you hire a professional designer
To clarify, it’s not just about the money. If it were, I wouldn’t do as many personal non-paying projects as I do. And, I could charge a heck of a lot more than I do right now. When you work with a professional designer that has training and experience, you get a lot more than just a design. When I work with my clients, I don’t just ask them what colors they want, and send them a final file. I ask them about their target audience, I ask them about their goals, I provide feedback; I offer suggestions for other things they could be doing to enhance their business. (And no, it’s not just things that I’m trying to up-sell them on so I can make more money.)
Think about it like this – you buy $3 sunglasses from Wal-mart, or you buy $127 pair of Oakley sunglasses.
Now, think about how you treat (carrying it in your purse, storing it in your car, etc.) each pair of those sunglasses. Think about your reaction if you accidentally sat on each pair of those sunglasses.
Now, think about WHY you bought each pair of those sunglasses (other than the fact that you are going to the beach). You bought the $3 pair because they’re cheap, and it works. It does the job, and they look decent. You bought the $127 pair because they are fitted right, they have the latest integrated technologies and they look AWESOME.
Design adds value to your business (according to the experts)
Design adds value to your business. As the AIGA states on their website:
“Design is an investment in innovative thinking, positioning, branding and communication that creates value for businesses in terms of competitive advantage, customer trust and loyalty, and market share. In a rapidly changing global and local business environment, design thinking helps business counter the complexity of conditions with creative solutions. In a global economy in which production gravitates toward the lowest cost producer, human-centered design provides the competitive differentiation needed to gain market share. Design is a critical strategic asset that is most effective when employed early in corporate plans, not as a decorative finality.”
Do you want a Wal-mart logo, or an Oakley logo?
Should you ever use Fiverr or outsourcing sites for design?
There is value in design, and working with a professional designer who knows their worth. If you are a business owner, use your resources – network, barter, budget appropriately. If you’re a designer, stop selling yourself short and devaluing our industry. Outsourcing websites, if used correctly, can help bring in some money during slow periods. But, designing a logo for $5 isn’t doing anybody any good.
I want to clarify – I know that sometimes, designers can have slow periods. And, if you’re a full-time freelancer, you have bills to pay and you need money. I get it. Both my husband and I have said that if we lose our job or if Jess Creatives folds, we will go deliver pizzas if we need to be able to make ends meet.
And, I will also mention that I personally have done jobs on oDesk before. But, the client was willing to pay my usual price point. Not all sourcing websites are horrible. Outsourcing design projects for your business are not a bad thing, if you are willing to pay the designer what they are WORTH.
I know many designers, including myself, who struggle with pricing themselves appropriately. We struggle with finding balance between what we’re worth, what our ideal clients can pay, and needing to pay bills. But, when Fiverr advertises logos for $5 – that’s devaluing the training and expertise of a professional designer.
There are ads from Fiverr trying to convince its audience that paying $100 (which is ridiculously cheap for a logo already) for a logo is a rip-off.
“You’re Paying Too Much For Design”? No, you get what you pay for. $5 will not get you quality design work.
The bottom line: value matters more than price
In the Yahoo article I mentioned previously, the founder also mentioned, “The grand vision of Fiverr is really to create a marketplace where people can start small but take this hobby and create a business out of it.”
I know there are design dabblers out there, but I hardly think that charging $5 for a logo is going to make a profitable business model. Yes, the article did mention a few of the “top sellers” on Fiverr, and how one girl made $9k on Fiverr – but how much more could she have made charging what she is WORTH, and how much more would the client VALUE their new logo/videos/etc?
There is value in design. There is value in hiring a professional and paying what they’re worth.
