Small business owners have a lot on their plate.
In addition to running the day-to-day operations of their business, they often wear many hats, from being the sales team to the marketing department.
So, it’s no wonder that when it comes time to create a website, they might not have the bandwidth to do it themselves—nor should they!
A website is a crucial part of any business’s success, and it deserves time, attention, and expertise.
That’s where a web design agency comes in.
But with so many agencies out there, how do you know which one is right for your business?
Here are a few things to consider when you’re on the hunt for the perfect web design agency:
Define your goals
When you’re looking for a web design agency, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your goals are for your website.
Do you want to use your website primarily as a platform to sell products?
Or do you want it to be more of an informational resource for potential customers?
Maybe you’re looking for something in between.
Once you have a good understanding of what your goals are, you can start narrowing down your list of potential partners.
Their Web Design Process
The first thing you’ll want to consider is an agency’s process.
How do they work? What will they need from you? How long will the process take?
It’s important to get a sense of an agency’s process before you start working with them so that there are no surprises along the way.
If you have a tight timeline, make sure to communicate that upfront so that the agency can let you know if they can accommodate your request.
Their Web Design Portfolio
Next, take a look at an agency’s portfolio.
Do their previous projects looks similar to what you’re envisioning for your own website?
Do they have experience in your industry?
You’ll want to make sure that an agency has done similar work to what you’re hoping to achieve before you move forward.
The Chemistry
It’s important that you also feel comfortable with the people you’ll be working with—after all, you’ll be entrusting them with an important part of your business.
The best way to get started is by having an initial consultation with each of the agencies on your list, preferably in person, but over the phone or video chat works too.
This will give you an opportunity to get more details about their process and pricing, and it’ll also give them an opportunity to get to know more about your project goals and objectives.
After meeting with several agencies, you should have a good sense of which one is the best fit for your needs, and then you can get started on building your dream website!
Their Price Point
Of course, budget will also play a role in your decision-making process.
When considering the price point, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
Working with a web design agency doesn’t come cheap.
Depending on the size and scope of your project, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands of pounds.
When you’re considering your budget, it’s also important to factor in ongoing maintenance and updates that will be required after your website is launched.
If an agency seems too good to be true, chances are they are cutting corners somewhere—whether it’s in the quality of their work or the level of customer service they provide.
Find an agency that falls within your budget but also offers quality services and has a good reputation.
The Pros and Cons of Working with a Web Design Agency
Working with a Web Design agency can definitely be a great move for your business but there are some things you should consider first.
Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of working with a web design agency so you can make the best decision for your business.
The Pros of Working with a Web Design Agnecy
Web Design Agencies Have the Resources to Get the Job Done Right
When you work with an agency, you’re not just getting one web designer’s vision for your site—you’re getting an entire team’s worth of expertise.
From developers to designers to content strategists, a good web design agency will have all the bases covered when it comes to creating a high-quality website.
Working with an Agency Means Working with Professionals
When you work with an agency, you can be confident that you’re working with people who have made website design their careers.
They will treat your project with the care (and budget) it deserves instead of looking at it as just another quick gig.
You Might Actually Save Money in the Long Run
A lot of small business owners assume that working with an agency will be more expensive than designing a website on their own or working with a freelancer.
But in reality, agencies often have access to exclusive deals on web hosting, stock photos, and other website essentials, deals that individual designers and businesses simply don’t have access to.
When you factor in those savings, working with an agency might not be as costly as you think.
The Cons
You Might Not Always Be Working with the A-Team
Agencies are made up of people, and people are imperfect.
That means that even though you’re paying for an entire team’s worth of work, there’s always a chance that the team working on your project might not be the agency’s top talent.
If this is something that concerns you, try asking for bios or portfolios from the team members who will actually be working on your project before making your final decision.
You Might Have to Compromise on Your Vision
When you outsource web design to an agency, you’re essentially handing over the reins and trusting them to turn your vision into reality.
And while most agencies will do their best to make sure you love the end result, there’s always a chance that what they deliver won’t match up perfectly with what you had in mind originally, especially if your vision is very specific or complex.
If this is something that would bother you, make sure to ask plenty of questions during the initial consultation so both parties have a clear understanding of what’s expected before any work begins.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not small business owners should work with web design agencies, it all depends on what’s best for YOUR business.
Consider all the pros and cons we’ve listed here before making your final decision so you can be confident you’re making the best choice for YOUR needs!
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a web design agency—but by keeping these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect fit for your business!
