We had the interesting experience recently of a prospective client receiving a call from “someone” who made the statement that “Small Box outsources their SEO work”. Meaning that we had other companies actually do our Search Engine Optimization work for our clients. Since we have spent the last 2 years developing and expanding our team to specifically grow this area of our business I was a little irked that someone would actively spread a false rumor. So let me address the issue here as clearly as possible:
Small Box does not outsource any work- SEO, Web Design, Web Development, etc.
Now we do use part time freelancers regularly. These are talented individuals that we have trained on our systems and can help us manage additional work when our full timers are maxed. Also, it is part of our hiring process to bring potential hires on part time as freelancers to see if they are a good fit for the company. But I don’t think anyone puts part time freelancers in the same group with outsourcing since they are actually part time employees and not some anonymous firm over in India pounding out websites or building links.
We have considered outsourcing though, to be honest. But up to now we haven’t opted to explore it any further than entertain the occasional phone call from India. Bottom line, we want to spend our money locally and have a real relationship with the people that work for our clients. We realize this might make us a little more expensive than other firms that outsource but the outcome is better work done right the first time and on time.
We also partner with other companies when needed and sub-contract work, or act as sub-contractors, when the right fit is a hybrid of our respective services. This often done at the request of the client since they want what they consider the right mix of talent for their project. We like working this way and do so often. Sometimes we develop and another company designs, sometimes we project manage and do SEO. It’s a great way to learn and meet new companies doing cool work. The client is fully informed and since it’s usually their idea everything goes smoothly with few exceptions.
I’ve always thought that a rising tide raises all boats so I actively seek ways to promote companies that I know do good work. This town is full of them. I would make a list but I know I would leave so many off so let’s skip that. I’m really proud to be part of a tech/web scene here that is doing cool stuff. But when someone comes after my company and talks trash I will defend it since I know how hard we work and I can’t stand to see my team denegrated.
So I hope this little post has cleared things up or given you an idea of how we work. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible while still protecting what we consider propritary to our business. Have a great week!
Pretty inspiring post. I respect your enthusiasm and pride for your dev teams. Many of the companies I’ve done work for don’t seem to share the same respect for the people they work with. Not entirely sure why, but this seems to stem from people in larger cities like Chicago, LA, and NY, haven’t seen any of that in the local indy-area businesses. Makes me proud to say I’m a developer living in the ‘cornfield infested’ Indiana.
Thanks Dustin, appreciate the support. Hope things are going well for you! Jeb
I could see the difficulty explaining the difference between outsourcing and freelancing to someone who doesn’t know better. Being on the latter side of that coin, I’d say the personal connection that freelancers give is such a better way to go. Thanks to Small Box for supporting freelancing..