What to Look for When Hiring a Website Design Company

Hiring a Website Design Company is an important step to your businesses online success. After giving your blood, sweat, and tears to build your business, it should be presented in the best way possible for your potential customers online!

But where do you start? Every website design company will tell you they can build a professional website but you need to be careful when making your choice.

In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to choose a web design agency to make sure you’re in the best hands!

Hiring a Website Design Company

Before we jump into that you need to understand there is a distinction between designer & developers.

What’s the difference?

A web designer creates the layout and design of a website or application. They utilize design programs like Figma or Sketch to create beautiful user experiences which ultimately turn into your full functioning website. Usually the once the web designer is finished with their work they will hand it off to a web developer to actually code it.

A web developer uses the designers mockups to build a fully functioning website. This includes writing custom code utilizing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages which ultimately end up making up your website.

Now that you understand the difference between these two key roles, let’s move on:

Hiring a Website Design Company

Choosing the right website design company is essential for your business’s success for the following reasons:

  • Maximizes Your Online Presence – The company you choose should know the in’s and out’s of optimizing your online presence via design, SEO, and overall functionality.
  • Stand Out With a Customized Site – Your website should be as unique as you are. Hiring a web designer to build a custom site will help you stand out from the competition.
  • Mobile Friendly – It should be no surprise that 75% of users prefer a mobile-friendly site. Delivering a good mobile experience is essential and serves as a catalyst in promoting sales.

With all website design companies promising this and more: How are you supposed to know who to choose?

Well, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list (and checked it twice!) of some things you should look out for when hiring a website design company:

What to Look for When Hiring a Website Design Company

Before you begin your quest it is very important that you have a good idea of what you are trying to accomplish. Having a strong brand identity, inspirational references, and knowing your unique selling proposition will speed up the hunt for hiring a website design company.

Be prepared to show examples of other websites for inspiration. Be specific and list goals for your website. Tell them exactly what your website is supposed to do: build brand awareness or convert leads. 

Your business is unique and deserves the same TLC you have given it thus far. It can be tempting to go with the cheapest website design company or the one that promises the fastest results, but before you commit to anyone always consider the following when hiring a website design company:

Project Discovery

Your future web design company should always be able and willing to answer any and all of your questions. Better yet, they should be asking you the questions!

Before officially hiring a website design company there should always be an informal meeting allowing for an exchange of any questions, comments, and concerns. A “Discovery” period allows your web designer to perform a competitor analysis, gather inspiration, and discuss both the budget and timeline.

This is also the time that you should be able to get a rough quote on the work that you’re inquiring about, as well as how long it should take to complete. However, depending on the scope of your project, it is common that discovery can take more than one call, which is why it is important to first have a strong idea of what you are wanting.

Look for Established Brand Trust

Again, every web designer will claim to be the best fit for your project. They’re going to use well-written website copy, images, and quotes to attempt to prove these claims to you. However, the best website design companies will show you their worth instead of telling you. 

For example, HubSpot uses video testimonials to show people what real customers think about their business:

Hiring a Website Design Company

This allows potential customers to quickly see that HubSpot truly provides valuable marketing services worth considering. It also helps that HubSpot shows more proof that their products are highly rated among their competitors:

Hiring a Website Design Company

These signals establish brand trust for HubSpot and are one of the reasons why they’re one of the most successful companies in their industry.

If you’re looking for a website design company, you should look for the same trust signals BUT be cautious since some of these “awards” can be purchased.

Ask for References, Work Samples, Etc.

Most website design companies will utilize testimonials to convince you to work with them. However, testimonials can easily be made up. To avoid falling for a fake testimonial, you’ll need to gather more proof that an agency is who they claim to be. 

Ask for references if you can. If you do receive any references, make sure you verify them. If NDAs were signed with particular clients, ask to see specific work samples instead. 

Fortunately, many web designers have their portfolios on their websites. The more trust you can build with a prospective website design company, the better.

Don’t Forget to Ask About Maintenance

The relationship with your web designer is not over once your website project is complete. They will remain a point of contact even after your website is live just in case something breaks or you need updates in the future. That being said, it is important to establish who that point of contact is going to be.

Sometimes, your web designer will be the one to maintain it for free if it’s included with hosting. Other times, they might offload it to another company for maintenance once the project is live. It is important to discuss this during your Discovery period when hiring a web designer.

If your point of contact after the completion of your site is not established up front, then it can cause confusion and headache. When hiring a website design company always consider not only the finished project but its overall longevity. It is important that maintenance is done by the same people who built the site and not contracted out to allow for overall consistency and flow.

If you’re thinking about hiring a website design company, we can help!

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Don’t Move Forward Until You Know Who’s Doing the Work

If you are dealing with a smaller website design company, you could very well be in contact with the web designer. However, it is common to be only speaking with the assigned project manager. Either is fine, but it is important to be aware of who is specifically doing the work when hiring a web designer.

Some companies outsource their operations to other countries in order to increase their margins and take on more clients. This is great for them but not for you as it can cause the quality of your website to suffer if they don’t have in-house developers to oversee the work from start to finish.

Before you move forward, always confirm if your work will be done in-house or contracted out elsewhere.

How Much Does Hiring a Website Design Company Cost?

You need to have a budget in mind for your project since this is going to be a question throughout your discovery process.

You’ll find an array of website design companies that charge anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000, so what’s the difference?

There’s a lot of factors that play into the cost of a website so it’s important to understand how the company is charging you. Are they estimating the number of hours your project is going to take or are they giving you value-based pricing? Are they building your website with a theme or fully custom?

When you’re making a list of website design companies, be upfront and ask about the price. Make sure you fully understand how payments will work, whether you’ll need to pay a 50% deposit or pay installments on receiving specific deliverables. 

The more information you know before you sign a contract, the fewer surprises there will be down the road.

Don’t Deal With “Cheap” Website Design Companies

Granted, a website can cost a lot of money. A traditional website can cost as much as $15,000 and an eCommerce website can cost as much as $50,000. You need to have a realistic idea of the budget you are working with and what it costs to get the kind of results you want.

The fact of the matter is, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If you want to generate traffic and get real results, then do not go with the first person that promises the perfect website for a cheap rate.

Experienced web designers know their worth and will explain the prices in the discovery period. For example, a “safe” budget for a new 5-10 page website should be approximately $5,000 – $10,000 with a reputable website design company.

If you’re thinking about hiring a website design company, we can help!

If you’re interested in learning about how we can help you create your perfect website please contact us today!

FAQs

What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?

A web designer is responsible for creating the layout and design of a website or application, using design programs like Figma or Sketch. On the other hand, a web developer uses the designer’s mockups to build a fully functioning website by writing custom code using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages.

Why is hiring a website design company important for my business?

Hiring a website design company is important for your business because it maximizes your online presence through design, SEO, and overall functionality. It helps your business stand out with a customized website, making it unique and differentiating it from the competition. Additionally, having a mobile-friendly site is crucial for promoting sales as a majority of users prefer mobile-friendly experiences.

What should I look for when hiring a website design company?

When hiring a website design company, it’s important to consider a few key factors. Firstly, clearly define your goals and requirements for the website, including brand identity and unique selling proposition. Secondly, ensure that the company engages in project discovery by asking questions and discussing the budget and timeline. Additionally, look for established brand trust through testimonials, references, and work samples. Finally, discuss the maintenance plan and know who will be responsible for updates and support.

How can I establish trust with a website design company?

To establish trust with a website design company, ask for references and work samples, and make sure to verify them. Check if the company showcases testimonials or provides video testimonials from real customers. Additionally, review their portfolio and look for examples of their work. Being able to see their previous projects and client feedback helps build trust in their capabilities and expertise.

What should I consider when it comes to the cost of hiring a website design company?

When considering the cost of hiring a website design company, it’s important to understand how they charge for their services. Ask about their pricing structure, whether it’s based on estimated hours or value-based pricing. Discuss payment terms and understand if you need to pay a deposit or make installment payments based on specific deliverables. By having a clear understanding of the pricing and payment structure, you can avoid surprises later on.

Nick Meagher
Nick Meagher

Nick Meagher is the founder of Icepick, a leading web design & development company based out of Fort Worth, Texas. With over 10 years of development experience in WordPress and Shopify he is passionate in helping businesses succeed online.

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