A Comprehensive Guide to Choose the Right Web Designing Agency

Last updated on October 11th, 2023

There are many web design agencies out there, and choosing one can be tricky. Whether a one-man-band or an established award-winning firm, the internet is teeming with web designers from around the globe. The search term “web designer” alone produces 1.8 million results on Google. Are you more likely to go with the traditional and trusted agencies, or do you take a chance on a newer designer with fresh ideas? What can you do to determine which is the right web designing agency to achieve your goals?

How does web design work? What do web designers do?

Let’s start from the beginning. It always pays a lot of attention to know exactly what a web designer does before you hire them, so you know what to look for. Despite the fact that web designers are referred to as designers, the field is more than mood boards and color samples. While aesthetics and the creation of a visually appealing website are a major part of web design, it is only one part of a multifaceted, specialized service aimed at supporting your entire business online.

Designers construct user-friendly, mobile-responsive, search-engine-optimized, and secure websites. Web designers also ensure sites connect with other online marketing platforms such as social media and email seamlessly so that they guide people through the buying process.

Here are 15 tips to help you hire the Right Web Designing Agency

1. Decide what your website needs and what your goals are

You should know the features of the website you want it to have before you begin searching for web design agencies. You need to remember that your website is more than just a pretty design – it is also a marketing tool.

Among the things your website might do are:

• Your business should generate leads;
• If you use a CRM software like Salesforce, HubSpot, or another major program, sync it;
• You can integrate Pardot, Marketo, or HubSpot with your marketing automation tool;
• Use a marketing automation tool like Constant Contact, MailChimp, or Emma;
• Payments or donations may be collected, including subscription-based (recurring) payments/donations;
• You can let your users fill out forms on your site and send them directly to your team;

To achieve the above, your website may need the following features:

• Conversion-optimized pages, search-engine-optimized navigation, and search-engine-friendly content;
• functionality for e-commerce;
• A secure online form (and one that complies with HIPPA if you work in the healthcare field);
• HTTPS encryption and an SSL certificate;

You should use your website to achieve your business’s goals – whatever they may be. You and the web design companies you interview will be able to ensure your site is actually customized for your needs when you make a list of your goals, your needs, and your nice-to-haves.

Your budget and timeline should also be taken into consideration before contacting any agency.

You may not know how much you want to spend on web design, but knowing a range (e.g. between $10K and $15K) will help you identify web design quotes that are realistic and fit within your budget. Also, your timeline helps you determine what kind of agency you need because if you need your site live in 2 weeks, you’ll need to work with one that is available now rather than having to wait 3 weeks for it to be ready.

2. Locate and review local and nationwide web design companies

You can now start looking for potential partners in your list of web design agencies. Especially if you need a partner who has experience in a certain industry like dental or law, look for agencies in your local area and nationwide.

Collaboration and communication have become easier thanks to apps like Zoom and Google Meet. It is in your best interest to sit down and look around, even if you decide to choose a web agency near you. This will allow you to assess experience, portfolios, services offered, and agency culture. 

3. Work experience

In terms of experience, you should look for two things:

• The agency has been around for how long? Is it a startup or an established one?
• Is the company experienced with developing websites for your industry, websites which deliver results, websites that you like, and/or websites that have the features you require for your business?

You should work with a partner that has processes in place to make the website design and development process simple and easy, provides ongoing support once the website is live, has ongoing marketing services to assist you in growing your business, and has a team of knowledgeable experts to help ensure the website you select accomplishes your goals and meets your needs.

4. Resume/Portfolio

Portfolios are the next best way to evaluate an agency’s skills and capabilities. Make sure the agency’s portfolio is not just full of attractive websites. Pretty websites that you can’t use will never be able to compete with decent websites that are easy to use.

Your portfolio will give you insights into creativity, coding skills, and industry experience, among other things. When reviewing a portfolio, consider the following:

• Are their websites mobile-friendly?
• Are they up-to-date with web design trends?
• Is everything about the website the same – structure, navigation, imagery, etc.?
• Has the website won any awards?

You can ask an agency what they could do for your business if you like their work, but they don’t have your industry in their portfolio. In the end, you need to love the work done by the person you work with who has industry experience.

5. Size of their average customer

A good way to gauge an agency’s clients’ size is to ask them what their average client size is. The smallest client size that they deal with is sometimes a good indicator. It is possible that they don’t have much experience working at that scale, and you may feel overlooked, unimportant, or underserved.

You may be the biggest client they have worked with. If so, they may not be comfortable working at your scale. Some scales may not be suitable for them. They need specialized knowledge. Performing the same tasks for a company twice or four times the size is not the same as doing them for a small or medium company.

6. Culture of the agency

You can tell a lot about an agency’s working style and personality by looking at its culture. In general, you should choose an agency that is compatible with your company’s personality, which will make it easier for you to collaborate and work together during the web design process.

To determine agency culture, you can:

1. Looking at their social media accounts – Do you see a lot of smiling faces?
2. Checking team pages – Do they demonstrate the team’s expertise and talent?
3. Participating in community events – Do they participate in local events?

You’ll also get a sense of their culture when you meet with potential web designers. Does their culture feel welcoming to you? Can you share your ideas with them? Is their excitement about your project contagious?

A web design agency’s culture is an important consideration when selecting one. Your web design partner will spend a great deal of time with you, so make sure he or she fits your company and personality well.

7. Is there a marketing department within the agency

Is it necessary for you to hire an agency for ongoing marketing? Has the agency hired another company to generate online leads, or does it have an in-house marketing team?

Are tools like CRM integrated into the agency’s marketing efforts? Only half the battle is won after visitors reach the website. The other half is to turn those visitors into customers.

You can still do ongoing marketing even if you don’t. Marketing departments at agencies provide a level of knowledge that is hard for a pure web design agency to maintain or acquire.

8. Read Online Reviews & Testimonials

When looking for a web design agency for your new website, make sure to check out reviews and testimonials. Reviewers can read client reviews to find out how happy they are with their websites, how much customer service they received, and which team members are mentioned.

Check out Yelp, Google, and Facebook for reviews. Visit their website to see if they feature testimonials. Do a little more investigation before scheduling a meeting with them if the only reviews you see are on their website. 

9. Work with an agency that understands conversions and customers

For those in the retail or eCommerce business, there are more important things to worry about than polishing your website design.

Optimizing your website and making it accessible to potential clients is key to converting them and sustaining repeat business. You should make sure your new digital partner has experience designing and developing websites for retail so that you can take your business to the top.

It is important that a digital agency has a sense of style that compliments conversion-friendly features so that your website becomes a success. You must have your website open for development and analysis if you want to take advantage of an eCommerce opportunity and make big profits. You must monitor and track the performance of your website and conversion elements. To make their case, a website design agency should include examples and documentation that reinforce the benefits of any particular design direction.

10. Go with an agency that has a history of long-term client relationships

If you are looking to start an eCommerce or highly developed site that requires continuous maintenance and evolution, a web design agency that has worked with the same clients for many years may be of particular importance.

You can determine whether or not a web design agency has the experience necessary to build and maintain your website by looking at examples of their work with clients over time and the redesigns, alterations, and upgrades they have performed on existing websites.

11. Ask the agency what aspects of design, development, and digital it specializes in

Having the ability to offer a comprehensive range of design, development, and marketing services is a must for an agency in today’s world. Find out what the agency’s competence in each area is if you have specific requirements.

Inquire whether the work will be done in-house or by an outside company and who you will be dealing with if the work is outsourced.

12. Communication that is effective

A website project’s success depends on communication. Good designers will spend time learning your requirements. The chances are high that a company isn’t a good fit for your business if they are unable to listen to your website needs.

You should also be able to understand complex web terms and technologies explained by the designer. In order to communicate your company’s message to your target audience through design, they may not be able to communicate these intricate concepts to you. This is why you should hire a web design firm that communicates effectively.

In addition to the contract, it’s important to check whether the agency can meet deadlines and what services they offer. 

13. Seek Advice From Friends, Family, And Other Businesses

Referrals are not something to be afraid of. You should always work with a web designer who has a proven track record. Ask your friends and family if they know anyone. Speak to other local businesses for recommendations as well. You can also search the internet for websites that appeal to you. In most cases, designers will be featured in the footer of a site with an easy way to get their contact information.

14. Contact Them By Phone Or Email

Getting in touch with a business is the best way to learn more about it. You can reach them by phone or email. What is the vibe you get from the business? What is their customer service like? Would you be comfortable working with them? Getting to know them better and discussing your needs in more detail can be done with a video call or visit following your initial contact.

15. Use A Balanced Approach

Almost every web designer knows how to make an attractive design, but not everyone has the skills and experience to think about the bigger picture. Your website serves as the centerpiece of all your online marketing (and sometimes even your offline marketing). To ultimately drive sales, you need to combine multiple elements from search engines to social media. In other words, you need to look for a web designer who understands the overall process and who can build your business online instead of just building a website.

Are You Looking for the Right Web Designing Agency For Your Business?

Companies may incur unnecessary costs as a result of mismanagement of relatively simple tasks and design requirements. At iTechnolabs, we offer multifaceted web design services to a diverse range of clients around the world with our responsive in-house solutions. Connect with us today to get the advice to hire the Right Web Designing Agency