The Best Web Design Companies

What to Look for in the Best Web Design Companies

Before committing time and money to an agency, there is a lot to consider. More importantly, there are several things that every reputable web design outfit needs to offer and we want to make you aware of them.

Proven Track Record

Any reputable company will have a rich portfolio and case studies to prove their expertise. Consider the clients they have worked with and check the websites the company has built to determine whether you like the designs and the sites’ responsiveness. Additionally, note how user-friendly the websites are, whether they represent the clients’ brands well and whether they have successfully met their objectives. 

An Established Process

The best website design companies for small business owners, medium enterprises and large organizations need to have an established process in place. To choose an agency, we have outlined what makes a good website design process.

Information Gathering

Project planning starts with a creative brief that outlines the client’s end goal. Before the work starts, the company should provide a requirements analysis with a target audience, client goals, feature requests, and other relevant information, including whether you want the site to sell a product, build your brand, or maybe raise awareness for your product or cause.  

Planning

Planning is the second phase where the teams of the web design agencies need to put together a plan for the site based on the information gathered. At this point, they should devise a sitemap and wireframes which will serve as a blueprint of the site’s final look. Also, the designer should help you decide on the programming languages and technology stacks, as well as plan the content strategy. 

Design & Development

At this stage, the website is actually created and the designers can either collaborate with one of the top web development companies in the world or their own development team. The designers take all graphic elements from the prototype to create a functional site. First comes the creation of the homepage and then the shell for interior pages where the website design company takes the content in the right areas. Elements such as interactive content forms, shopping carts, or CMS are implemented and made functional during this phase. Additionally, designers write a valid HTML/CSS code that complies with standards and maximizes functionality. 

Testing

Testing should happen alongside development, verifying usability, compatibility, functionality, performance, and security. The goal is to ensure that all features work well and that the users don’t experience issues while browsing the site. 

A Varied Skill Set

The best web design companies boast teams with varied skill sets that encompass the following:

Visual Design

Visual design refers to the capability of choosing the right design principles to improve the look and feel of the site. Closely connected to user experience, this capability is related to tactile elements like typography, web fonts, color psychology, and color palettes. 

User Experience

User experience is related to the feeling that visitors get when browsing the website. As this is one of the most influential factors that can make or break your online success, you’ll want to consider website design agencies that understand UX practices (or hire a separate UX design company) that will take a user-first approach to design. This includes the enhancement of many factors like navigation, CTAs, and content among other things. 

Programming Languages

HTML is the must-have language for web designers. It makes up for the structure for the website and allows creating beautiful websites with less code. CSS is the language used for styling a website and it’s used hand in hand with HTML to add colors, font sizes, backgrounds, and more to the websites. So, when hiring a web design agency, depending on your needs, you should consider developers that are proficient in Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, SQL, .NET, and ANGULAR. 

Communication Skills

Every professional needs to possess great communication skills, regardless of the field they work in. Web designers should be able to effectively communicate technical information into clear concepts, discuss the plans and processes, and ensure you’re always on the same page. 

Proactivity & Creativity

The top website designing companies boast teams that contribute with their own ideas and proactive solutions. They should understand the project’s purpose and standards, and offer constructive and innovative ideas accordingly. 

Resourcefulness

For the work to be complete, the designer will need tools like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and Illustrator. These tools will make the process of creating mockups, designing assets, and other important parts of the job more efficient.

Digital Marketing 

Digital marketing skills are an excellent asset to a web designer. While you can hire one of the best digital marketing companies to deal with this aspect of your business, the web designer’s knowledge needs to be adapted to the current trends. 

Reasonable Price

The average price of end-to-end website design services ranges between $10,000 and $50,000. The hourly rates can be anywhere between $100 and $500. You need to be prepared to pay this price because an unusually lower cost of web design often means a low-quality website which will make you lose customers due to poor UX, lack of performance and scalability, and risk of security breach among other things. Such web design would cost you a lot more in the long run.

How to Choose One of the Top Web Design Companies

Beyond knowing what to expect from the web designers out there, it’s important to define what you want in order to find the team that will meet those needs and help you accomplish your objectives. 

Set Your Goals

Start by outlining your goals. Consider whether you need only a custom design template or you expect more services like development, branding, and promotion. Then focus on the specifics — will the website support your ecommerce efforts or do you need it just for your company’s digital presence? Maybe it’s just for your hobby or to serve as your portfolio? These questions will help with the initial classification of the website design firms.  

Consider the Aesthetic of their Work

What’s your first impression when you look at the previous work of the potential agency? Are the websites they’ve created current with trends? Do they function smoothly and have natural flow? Do they have the vibe you’re going for with your site? Make sure to weed out the agencies whose work doesn’t fascinate you because chances are, you won’t like it on your site either. 

Read Client Reviews

It’s important to see what the responsive website design companies offer in terms of client history but it’s even more important to learn what those clients actually have to say about working with them. Reviews on directories like Clutch.co, Upcity, Design Contest, and 99designs but also Google and social media can give you valuable insight into the agency’s level of professionalism and reliability. Choosing an outfit that is trusted by the clients is a pretty safe bet and there are greater chances that you will get good value for money. 

Define a Budget

Solid web design doesn’t come cheap. So, don’t get deceived by website building companies that offer unreasonably low prices. Define exactly how much you’re willing to invest in a design agency and find a team that can work within that budget frame but still offer exceptional services. Keep in mind that by investing in robust web design you’ll benefit greater and grow your business faster, leaving a lasting impression on your end-users. 

Ask About Ongoing Support & Maintenance

At some point, after the website is launched, you’ll need help with some technical issues related to hosting, domain management, and overall functioning of the website. That’s why beyond web design services, the agency should provide ongoing support and maintenance. You need a team that is available round the clock and easy to contact. Also, you will want an agency that maintains the site and keeps it up to date. That said, steer clear of companies that apply hidden costs to these types of services. 

 Questions to Ask the Web Design Companies You Shortlist

To further help you narrow down your choice, we present you with a list of questions to ask the agencies you are considering hiring. 

How will your design help me reach my goals?

Before going further with the negotiations, it’s crucial that you ask the agency about how they can help your business. Take note of their promises — are they promising to “make you a lot of money” without any actual plan in place? This is vague and unrealistic so you shouldn’t go further with that agency. On the other hand, a design team that can devise a real plan centered around providing responsive website design service and takes all your objectives into consideration is one worth considering. 

What is the inclusive cost of the project?

Regardless of the pricing type that you opt for (hourly or project-based), you need to require full transparency from the agency. Ask for the overall cost including maintenance and troubleshoot fees. Some agencies tend to hide these prices so make sure you get the final cost before signing anything so you’re not hit with unexpected costs.

What other services are included in the price?

Most website design companies offer additional services like SEO, content strategy, information architecture, and web development. However, these services might not be included in the price. You should inform yourself about this but also take quotes from dedicated digital marketing companies. Compare the prices before you decide whether you’ll hire a separate firm to work closely with the designer team or you’ll decide to opt for their in-house specialists. 

Is development included in the price?

A design-focused agency will only hand you over the designs but if they don’t offer development services, you’ll need to hire a separate web development company to do it. It’s always better to get the work done under one roof but make sure that the price you agree on includes both these services.  

How many revisions are included in the price?

If it happens that you don’t like something from the draft version, you should be able to request edits. The usual number of revisions allowed is 2-3. After that, any revisions you might need are billed additionally so you should also inform yourself about the applicable rates. 

Who will work on my website? 

It’s important to know who will be working on your website and what their role will be. You don’t want to end up with a web design company that outsources the work to random freelancers instead of a full-fledged in-house team. Also, you want a team that is open to communication and collaboration. If possible, meet them in person. 

FAQs

Not everyone is familiar with the basic terminology related to web design and online marketing. Understanding some of these concepts can be of great help when looking for a company to create your website. In this section, we’ll cover some frequently asked questions with concise and informative answers to help guide you in your quest for quality, creative web design.   

Is there a difference between a web development and web design agency?    

Absolutely. A web designer’s focus is on the aesthetics and usability of a website. They’re in charge of the website’s overall layout and visual elements. Web designers decide on element spacing and typesetting, and take user experience into account. They use tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Sketch. Web developers, on the other hand, bring the design to life using code. The three main languages they use are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Instead of offering just one of these services, many website designing and development companies offer both. Hiring a single company to cater to all your web design and web development needs can be a smart choice, as the same people will take care of multiple aspects of the website creation process. 

Web design vs. logo design vs graphic design — what are the differences?

These terms refer to very distinct types of design. Graphic design covers designing any item that communicates visually. This is done using typography, photography, and illustration. Logo design is a form of graphic design, but one where the product in question — the logo — holds commercial and marketing value. 

Finally, web design has additional restrictions. Website design companies need to take into account factors such as loading speed, resolution, and other limitations. Understanding the different types of design can help avoid confusion as businesses often require all of these designs at various stages of their growth.       

Custom design vs template — what are the main differences?

Custom professional website design refers to creating a website from scratch that meets agreed-upon goals and specifications, both in terms of aesthetics and user experience. It is an entirely customized project involving research and analysis of the target audience and promoted product or service. For instance, web design firms will take a different approach to realize small business design ideas and solutions intended for a multinational corporation. 

Then there are templates, or themes, commonly used in WordPress design, for example. These are pre-made and customizable, created with a general, broader user base in mind. These templates are designed for hypothetical, future users, and offer a base that can be altered and built upon, allowing for a certain amount of personalization.

How can I be sure my website is accessible on mobile devices?

Hire an agency that offers a full suite of professional web design services. Your website will be designed responsively, which ensures that it will look equally amazing regardless of what device is being used to access it. Want to check what your website looks like on a device you don’t own? There are handy web design software tools available that allow you to test how your website performs on any screen size. Screenfly is a popular choice. 

I need a website designer only. Do I have to pay for all these extra services as well? 

Have no fear — just because the best web design companies offer a whole palette of related services, it doesn’t mean you’re obligated to use all of them. That said, these services are there for a reason, and you’ll likely benefit from them. A consultation will help you make an informed decision and voice your requests.