Trying to find the best web design company for your next website makeover?
We have some pointers. (Hint: it might not always be us and we’re okay with that.)
In order to get the best fit for your business needs and budget, there are many options you can take for getting a website up and running. Each option has its ups and downs, and each option caters specifically to a budget and project type.
Let’s explore your options:
1. Templates (Squarespace, Web.com, Wix, the list goes on…)
Templates are a good idea for those with a very minimal budget. The cost can range anywhere from $15 – $60 upfront with the potential of on ongoing monthly fee in addition to that.
Sure, template site builders may offer a large amount of features and functionality, but on the flipside, they may sometimes lack proper customization options that can really make a site ‘yours’. A lot of templates are also made for very large sites, and if you don’t have the content to populate them properly you can be left with a site that looks deflated and uncared for.
Lastly, if you have a technical issue with the site, you are left at the mercy of the customer service team. They could be excellent, or they could take a few days to get back to you. Time is money!
Pros
- Easy on the wallet
- Quick turn-around
Cons
- Lack of customization
- Templates are not necessarily made for smaller sites
- Potential customer service issues
2. Hobbyist / Part-timer
This option can easily be one of your worst. You wouldn’t hire a ‘hobbyist’ carpenter or electrician would you? While this is definitely a cheap alternative to an actual agency, the work would speak for itself. Web design is a constantly changing beast. Unless you really devote all your time to it, you can end up using ideas and technology that are no longer relevant or usable. As the saying goes: “Cheap work ain’t good and good work ain’t cheap.”
Pros
- Low cost
- Could be working closely with the designer/developer and bounce ideas off of each other
Cons
- Potential for miscommunication, outdated ideas/technology, and not meeting deadlines
- As a hobbyist, they likely may move on to another career making ongoing support…improbable.
3. Budget Studio
This is a studio that does high volume work for a lower price. The only drawback presents itself as a lack of personal care on each project. Higher volume means there is usually some sort of template involved and that your site can end up looking bland.
Another money saving tactic these people use is outsourcing. They send their development overseas, where they pay pennies on the dollar for development. This can be good, but can also end tragically. There’s not much accountability for competent work when your several thousand miles away.
Pros
- Less expensive than actual studio
- Relatively quick turn-around
Cons
- Your “custom” website could be template-based or could be outsourced somewhere without compliance standards
- Lack of personal feel
4. Design Agency (Not Full Service)
Here is where things start to get better. The price goes up, but so does the quality. An agency of this size probably has about 5 committed professionals working. They are small enough not to take on a huge amount of work and as a result can put more care into each individual project. They are not, however, a full-service agency. Things like photography or video would have to be passed off to a company they have formed a partnership with.
Pros
- Small team of professionals that will do good work
- Better level of customer service (due to their attentiveness and say in the project)
Cons
- Prices start to increase
- Add-ons such as photography and videography would be outsourced as they do not have the resources or expertise in these areas to comfortably sell it
5. Full Service Agency
Ah, the big leagues. This is where the largest companies come to get their branding and any other creative assets they could need done. Full-service agencies have 10-100+ employees, which means that quality is assured through several levels of management, and anything you require is done competently.
Some of the bigger agencies have full audio and video teams with studios in house. Some have print specialists who’s only vocation is to draw logos and create color schemes. The research these people do into client-habit and conversion rates is astounding.
Being part of the big leagues, however, requires a massive buy-in. Some marketing agencies won’t even consider you for under $100,000. The work is excellent, but the costs are also astronomical.
Pros
- World-class work
- Can produce media and assets along several creative mediums
Cons
- Huge pay-in
A little recap
Looking for the best web design company for you? It comes down to budget and project needs.
So where does hayWire place? We sit comfortably at the 4th point of our chart, as a design agency. We have a smaller team, which means we don’t have a large amount of overhead. We can take the time to focus all of our energy on individual projects as they come in and deliver high quality results.
Think we’d be a good fit? Then let’s make it happen! Otherwise, best of luck in your search for the best web design company fit for your project needs and budget. Of course, none of these are set in stone, they are just our observations throughout the years that might be helpful for you to consider while in the early stages of your search for a new website.
