Why Web Development Retainer Agreements Make Sense

Businesses and organizations face many hiring decisions, especially when comparing the value of hiring a web developer full-time or working with a dedicated vendor. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution or formula, so the right choice depends on your current and anticipated needs.  Before you bring on a developer full-time, consider paying less to have a web development professional on retainer.

A web developer retainer package is a cost-effective option for getting exactly what your organization needs, whether it’s stamping out problems as they arise or opening up new opportunities to generate leads and drive sales.

Should I Really Outsource Development Work?

Onboarding web development specialists presents immediate and long-term costs for companies that may not always need all that expertise. The cost of hiring a marketing professional adds up quickly, and those are typically fixed costs that add tens of thousands of dollars to your operating budget each year.

As companies invest in their digital assets, it’s a challenge to calculate the return on investment of having a full-time developer on staff who may have too little to do or, even worse, too much.

For many brands, outsourcing web development work is the most financially responsible option and delivers superior results.

Related: How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Website?

6 Benefits of a Web Development Retainer Agreement

Hiring a web development company like Oneupweb has a host of advantages. With deep industry experience and access to premium subscription tools, outsourcing might be the best solution for your organization.

1. No days off.

When you hire a developer on retainer, you’re working with an entire team of web developers. While you’ll likely have a dedicated developer on your account, the whole team can access your project. The whole team can continue to solve problems, contribute new ideas, monitor quality and step in whenever necessary. That means your brand always has an experienced developer ready to help when the need arises.

2. Goldilocks budgeting.

As a part of your web development retainer agreement, you’ll get a fixed but flexible bucket of hours per month. You can use these hours for anything you want; to cover ongoing site maintenance, CMS updates, and to make feature improvements – and you get it all at a steady, reliable cost. The retainer model ensures you pay for what you need and “bank” hours for future projects when you don’t. Need a little more work in one month? We’ll work ahead. Nothing big on your radar? Your developer will recommend what to prioritize, even if that means holding back a few extra hours when you really need it.

3. Front of the line in no time.

As a retainer client, when things come up (and they will!), your needs are at the top of our to-do list. You always get a quick turnaround for addressing urgent bugs, tweaks or updates.

4. Learned expertise and understanding.

Working with a developer on a retainer builds a strong professional relationship that benefits both parties. We take pride in educating our clients about our work and our ability to learn about your business. With regular meetings and reporting, we strive to be an extension of your marketing team and your organization.

5. Access to tools without the subscription costs.

Most web developers on retainer use a tech stack that includes premium subscription tools that cost hundreds of dollars per month. As a retainer client, that means you get access to a web development expert armed with the latest tools with none of the overhead. 

6. Application-specific expertise.

Technology and code are always changing. Brands with full-time developers often hire out work on new or tricky platforms. Whether it’s developing a new app or other brand assets, customizing Shopify or migrating to WordPress, development retainers accelerate site projects. We offer platform-specific expertise that may not be a long-term, full-time need!

Quality Meets (the Right) Quantity

Having a developer on retainer offers you an affordable, low-risk way to get the development help you need to grow your business.

For over 25 years, Oneupweb’s fully integrated marketing services have helped retainer clients right-size their marketing and streamline workflows: we’re one vendor offering you endless solutions. To learn more about our web development retainers; get in touch or call (231) 922-9977 today.