With your website presenting a virtual store window to all prospective and existing customers, drawing attention to your products, values, and business updates, it’s little wonder why so many businesses choose to outsource their web design to professionals.
But should you opt for a professional web design agency, or choose the flexible and affordable services of a freelancer?
In this blog, we outline the benefits of both options and the questions to ask so that you make the right call for you.
The Benefits of Working with a Freelancer
The wide availability of freelancers who work remotely and offer their services via marketplace sites and through virtual job listings, means that you can have your website designed and brought to life by someone on the other side of the world in record time.
With freelancers typically working with more flexible schedules, operating a one-man structure which enables their prices to be much lower, for businesses looking for a quick website at a great price, a freelancer may well be the way to go.
Other benefits include the direct communication between you as the client and your chosen freelancer, and the fact that you can often request more changes and see them actioned more efficiently (depending on the freelancer and their schedule).
Are There Drawbacks to Working with a Freelancer?
Of course, with every benefit comes something to consider. When it comes to web design in particular, there are countless moving parts that all need to work together to finetune and finesse a great website – and the chance of finding a freelancer who can offer all the services you need is low.
Most often you will find a graphic designer, or a web developer, who can deliver great aesthetics but who has no eye for copy and headlines. This means that, while the price may seem better at the outset, in reality you need to hire multiple professionals to complete the project.
This is one of the main reasons why businesses often opt for an agency as opposed to a sole freelancer…
Why we Recommend Working with an Agency
A digital agency is made up of specialists in all areas of online marketing and digital comms – from designers to copywriters, marketing specialists, and more.
When you sign on to have your project completed by an agency, you reap the benefits of an entire team of professionals who each bring their own skills to the table. A website design agency in Portsmouth like Mitchell & Stones can provide the expertise needed to ensure your website not only looks great but works effectively for your business. What’s more, agencies are more likely to be ahead of trends, and provide the scalability and reliability backed by portfolios and case studies.
There are of course downsides to working with agencies too. If budget is a big deal for you then you might be put off by the higher cost of an agency designed website, and the inability to deal with the same person for every question and query of your site can make communication and briefing more challenging.
However, for the most part, working with an agency grants the support and quality output that will see your business thrive from day one.
Choosing the Right Web Design Agency
If you decide that a web design agency is the way forward, our next piece of advice is to peruse case studies and online profiles, learning more about the kind of projects that your favoured agencies have worked on. Reaching out to the agency can be a great way to discuss your project and hear their ideas – and don’t be afraid to ask for quotes as part of your comparison journey!
At the end of the day, the right agency won’t just work for you – they will become an extension of your business and will bring to life the vision that you know will take your business to new heights.
For more information about our services and to chat all things online marketing and web design with our team, reach out today.
