Many entrepreneurs from top startups will tell you the most difficult thing for them to do in the early days was to delegate tasks for fear that they would lose control of their business. As most growing SMEs will attest, it’s very essential to delegate to those with the right expertise, leaving you with the important task of running your business. Outsourcing to freelancers has already become the accepted way of working and with startups outsourcing everything from web design to accountancy, there’s never been a better time to get your startup off the ground in record time.

Here are our top 4 reasons why your startup should consider outsourcing

1. Save money by investing in freelancers

A lack of funding is the biggest challenge most startups face in the early days. Outsourcing work to freelancers is a practical and cost effective way to enjoy all the benefits of a workforce without all the red tape. Unlike employees, freelancers are effectively self-employed which means you don’t have to worry about the usual employee benefits like sickness, maternity and holiday pay not to mention all the other bureaucracy that comes with employing staff. By hiring a freelancer on a short term contract for a reasonable fee, you can be confident that there are no real commitments on your part as most freelancers work on a short term basis anyway. Most importantly, unlike staff you only need to pay freelancers once the work agreed is complete, as per the terms of any contract or invoice. With freelance marketplaces like eWorker, you can be even more secure in the knowledge that your funds are held in escrow until you are 100% satisfied with the work.

2. Save time and delegate

As your startup is getting off the ground, you’ll be tempted to do all the work yourself in a desperate bid to save money, but for the sake of your health consider delegating some tasks to those with the time, skill and expertise to get the job done effectively. Often in the early days, startups are both poor in cash and time, but eventually something has to give in order for the business to flourish. Outsourcing the odd task to a freelancer takes the legwork out of the tedious or more technical tasks you don’t have time for, particularly when you have more pressing business concerns to pay attention to. With many freelancers available on an ad hoc basis, you can get several tasks completed quickly and efficiently, ideal if you’re working to short deadlines.

3. Outsource to freelancers with specific expertise  

Most of the time startups can struggle in the early stages when attracting the right talent to work them for them. Potential applicants with extensive experience may be anxious about job security and stability in a new business and with statistics showing many small businesses fail in their first year, these anxieties are certainly worth worrying about. Freelancers on the contrary understand the struggles of startups, as being self-employed offers similar insecurities. They also share the same entrepreneurial spirit and vision, traits that not all employees can relate to.

Hiring freelancers with a specific expertise and strong client references, ensures your startup will benefit from the brightest minds who are just as passionate as you are about your business succeeding, as success often guarantees more work.

4. Grow your startup at scale

If like many startups you’re struggling to finance shared workspace, let alone your own office space, then outsourcing is the solution. Most freelancers are happy to work remotely and with Skype or Google Hangouts, there’s no reason why you can’t arrange a quick impromptu chat for more pressing discussions. When your startup does begin to experience growth, you may choose to hire a small team of freelancers and outsource all types of tasks from design to social media, and with freelancers often available to work unsociable hours, you can relax in the knowledge that you have a team you can rely on pretty much 24 hours, 7 days a week!. Growing at scale is vital for the success of your startup, and working with freelancers will help your startup appear bigger than it actually is, allowing you to compete with the bigger businesses in your sector.