Should You Hire a Full-Time Web Developer? Here's a Smarter, More Affordable Alternative

You know your website needs help.

Maybe you’re looking to redesign it. Maybe your SEO is flatlining. Or maybe you’re tired of chasing down five different freelancers for every little update, ad, or error message.

So you start thinking… “Maybe it’s time to hire someone full-time.”

But before you post that job listing, I want to show you a better option—one that gets you more experience, more flexibility, and often, better results: Working with a consultant on retainer.

The Traditional Route: Hiring In-House

Hiring a full-time developer (or marketing lead) feels like the obvious answer. They’re “on staff,” available daily, and (theoretically) invested in your success.

But here’s what I’ve seen over and over again:

• You hire someone junior and spend months training them… only to have them leave.
• You hire someone senior… and pay a salary you can’t afford, just to keep your website afloat.
• You bring on a generalist, but what you really need is a strategist who can bridge tech, design, and business.

And then there’s the hidden cost:

Hiring isn’t just about salary. When you factor in taxes, benefits, recruiting, and onboarding, the true cost of a full-time employee adds up quickly.

(Note: Full-time cost estimates don’t include recruiting fees, signing bonuses, or ongoing training costs.)

As you can see, the monthly retainer fee is often significantly less than the fully loaded monthly cost of even a relatively junior full-time hire, especially when you factor in the strategic value and breadth of expertise a consultant brings.

The Better Option: A Strategic Partner on Retainer

A consultant like me doesn’t just handle “tasks” — I help you set strategy, execute, and iterate toward real business growth.

You get:

• Senior-level expertise across development, design, SEO, automation, analytics, and ads
• A trusted partner who learns your business deeply — not just your tech stack
• No hiring drama, no benefits packages, no endless onboarding
• Clear communication and direct execution (no agency handoffs or account managers)

What Does That Look Like in Practice?

I partner with organizations on a monthly basis to:

• Build and maintain high-performance websites
• Run SEO and advertising campaigns that actually convert
• Create landing pages, optimize UX, and improve accessibility
• Connect CRMs, automate business tasks, and streamline operations
• Monitor hosting, backups, and performance — before issues pop up

If you’re tired of hiring, firing, training, or micromanaging a dev or marketing team, working with someone like me gives you the benefits of a full-time team—without the cost or complexity of payroll.

What Most Companies Actually Need

Most small to mid-sized companies don’t need someone sitting in the office 40 hours a week. They need someone who can:

• Understand the business goals
• Set a smart, achievable roadmap
• Execute the technical details with excellence
• Show results month after month

And that’s exactly what I do.

From high-traffic e-commerce builds like Miller Piano Specialists to bilingual, high-availability platforms like Plaza Mariachi, I’ve helped clients grow traffic by 600%+, improve conversions, and reduce technical debt—all on a monthly retainer.

Who This Works Best For

✅ Small to mid-size businesses who need real help—but not full-time headcount
✅ Teams frustrated with juggling freelancers or agency delays
✅ Founders and CMOs who want to move faster without compromising quality
✅ Ministries, nonprofits, and mission-driven orgs looking for a trustworthy long-term partner

Ready to Rethink How You Hire?

If you’re currently considering a full-time hire, let’s talk. I may not be the right fit—but I might be exactly what you’re looking for (even if you didn’t know it yet).

And if I’m not the right person? I’ll gladly point you in the right direction.