Are you considering outsourcing web design for your business and want to know how to get started? Having a well-designed website is important for any business since it creates the first impression customers and potential clients have of your brand and a successful website can lead to more customers and conversions. But, outsourcing a web project can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the process.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will provide all the information and tips you need to outsource web design like a pro so you can get it right the first time.
We’ll go over how to select the right designer or design company for your business, the cost, the typical timeline you can expect, and offer tips to ensure efficient communication throughout the process.
How to choose a good web designer
The first step in outsourcing web design is to find a good designer or web development company. It’s important to select someone who has the experience and portfolio that prove they can deliver quality results.
Here are some tips for selecting the right designer:
1. Research designers/web development companies
Spend some time researching web designers and web development companies to get a better idea of who is out there. Look for designers or companies that have experience with projects similar to your own and make sure they have good reviews from past clients.
When it comes to finding an experienced web designer, there are a few ways you can go about it. A good place to start is with a simple Google search. This will provide you with a list of potential designers or web development agencies in your area (or wherever you’d like the work done). From here, you can take a look at their portfolios and read reviews from previous clients to get a better idea of who would be the best fit for your project.
You can also search listings on websites like Clutch, Upwork, and Fiverr to find web designers who specialize in specific services or platforms. The outsourcing companies on these lists typically list out the services they offer, pricing information, timelines, and their portfolios, so it’s easy to compare and contrast different companies. Check out our listing for an example.
Learn the difference between web development and design here.
2. Check reviews
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s always a good idea to check a designer’s reviews from previous clients. This will give you a better understanding of the web designer or web development company’s level of service.
You can check reviews on the web designer’s or web development company’s website or social media channels, such as Facebook or LinkedIn. You can also check out third-party review sites, like Clutch, where you’ll be able to see reviews from verified clients who have worked with a particular designer or firm before.
3. Make sure their portfolio aligns with your needs
It’s also important to make sure that the web designer or web development company has experience in the type of project you need to be done. If all of the projects listed in their portfolio are static websites and you need e-commerce capabilities for instance, they may not be the right fit. Similarly, make sure you like the design style and quality of the websites in their portfolio.
Some design elements to look out for include:
Navigation
Good navigation in web design is key to creating a successful website. This involves a user-friendly interface that enables visitors to quickly and easily find the information they are looking for on your website. Navigation should be designed with the user’s experience in mind, with intuitive menus and links that are clearly labeled and organized so users can easily determine where to go.
Responsiveness
Responsive web design is the process of creating a website that can be viewed on any device, regardless of its size. This ensures that your website looks great across all devices, from desktops to mobile phones and tablets, so your visitors have the best experience possible when visiting your site. Today, 60% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, so you’re missing out on over half of your potential website leads if your website is difficult to navigate on a mobile device.
Content layout
The content layout on your website should be visually appealing and easy to read. This means making sure text is broken up into paragraphs, headlines are well formatted, and images are used to add visual interest. Additionally, make sure that the font size and typeface you use are legible and create a good flow for visitors to read through your content.
Visual Design
Finally, make sure the visual design of the websites is consistent and matches the brand. This includes colors, images, fonts, and graphics that all work together to convey the right message.
Top 4 Red Flags to Look out for in Web Designers
When choosing a webs designer look out for these red flags that might mean they are not the best fit for your needs:
Poor communication
Communication is key when it comes to web design projects. If a designer is not responding in a timely manner or is vague when answering questions, they may not be able to deliver on your project.
Overpromising services
Be wary of designers who promise too much, such as unrealistically short timelines, too many features, or prices that are too good to be true. This is a sign they may not be able to deliver on their promises and could potentially scam you out of your money or deliver a subpar product.
Low-quality portfolio
If the portfolio of the web designer or web development company looks out of date or unprofessional, they may not be able to deliver on your project.
Unclear pricing structures
Make sure you understand the pricing structure and that it is clear, upfront, and reflects the quality of work you are expecting.
For more information on choosing the right web design company for your needs, check out our blog on this topic.
What to Expect from the Web Design Process
Once you have chosen a web designer or development company, the next step is to begin the outsourcing web design process. This process typically involves five main steps:
1. Discovery
The discovery phase is mostly the research process in the web project. It involves the development team getting to know your company so that they can fully understand your needs and provide custom design. This includes learning about your company’s mission, and website goals, and familiarizing themselves with your visual brand and target customer. They’ll also need to analyze your existing website if you have one, and any competitors’ websites.
Often, a web design company will have you fill out a branding questionnaire or survey to kickstart this process.
Pro Tip: Find a web designer who has previously worked with companies in your industry. This will ensure accuracy in understanding the nuances of your industry and ensure and can cut the discovery phase down significantly.
2. Planning
The planning and design phase occurs after the discovery phase. This is when the web designer begins to actually plan out the website. They’ll create a sitemap, which will be a detailed list of all pages on your website. Next, they’ll begin designing wireframes that provide an outline of how each page should look and function.
The planning phase is the time to also set out goals and objectives for the website as well as any other features or integrations your website needs, such as e-commerce, social media integration, or booking capabilities.
Typically, in the planning phase, a project manager will present you with a proposal and timeline for completing the project.
3. Development
During the development process, the outsourcing company will take the design created in the previous phase and bring it to life. This is where the website will begin to look and function as it should.
Web developers can also set up any features or plugins that have been requested for the website in this stage. The development phase usually takes about two-thirds of the time allocated in the outsourcing process.
4. Revisions
Once the project is finished, it’s time for revisions. The project manager will show you the website and ask you to review and note any changes or edits needed.
It is important to be thorough in this phase, as this is your chance to check out all the pages and see if everything looks right and functions properly. Test all buttons and navigation as well as any features or plugins that have been added.
Pro Tip: Before signing a contract, ask your web development outsourcing company how many revisions are allowed in this phase of the project. Some companies allow unlimited revisions, while others set a limit.
5. Launch
After the revisions have been made, it’s time to launch your new website! Once everything is all set, the web designer will move everything to your hosting platform, configure your domain if you do not already have one set up, and point everything in the right direction.
Pro Tip: The website process doesn’t end here! Ask about website maintenance before signing a contract. Some companies offer maintenance packages to ensure your website and plug-ins are secure and up-to-date with the latest technology.
How Much Does Outsourcing a Website Cost?
The cost of outsourcing web design depends on many factors including the size of your website, the complexity of the project, whether or not you are redesigning a website or starting from scratch, and any additional features or plugins you may need.
On average, a basic website with five to seven pages can cost anywhere from $800 to $5,000 while a more complex website with up to 15 pages can cost upwards of $20,000.
While these are average estimates, the cost of outsourcing web design can vary greatly depending on your needs.
Make sure you receive a quote for the entire project before signing a contract. The quote should include a clear breakdown of the cost for each step in the outsourcing web design process including discovery, planning, development, and revisions. All website requirements should be defined before receiving a quote.
Pro Tip: Ask your web designer before signing a contract what the process for quoting and adding on additional features outside of the project scope would look like.
Tips for Efficient Communication for Outsourcing Web Design
When outsourcing web design, it’s important that communication is clear and efficient. This includes providing detailed notes or feedback during the review phase. You should also ask questions throughout the process if there is something you don’t understand.
Here are a few tips for ensuring the best communication with your web designer:
- Set out expectations and deadlines at the beginning of the project to make sure you and your designer are on the same page.
- Make sure to gather all relevant assets such as logos and images in advance or during the Discovery phase before the designer begins developing the site.
- Provide your designer with a list of websites that you like, which will help them to better understand the design style you are looking for.
- Be clear and detailed about any changes you’d like made during the revision phase. Avoid giving vague feedback such as “can we change the font to something more professional?” Instead, provide screenshots or examples of font styles you would prefer.
- Document any questions or feedback in an organized manner and communicate through a single platform or channel that both parties can access.
Conclusion
Outsourcing web design is an effective way to have a professional website built quickly and affordably. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can outsource web design with confidence knowing that you have the necessary information to find an experienced web designer, understand what the process will entail, and communicate efficiently.
With these tips for outsourcing web design successfully, you’re sure to have a great experience and end up with a website that meets your needs.
If you are currently searching for a web design company to meet your needs, the good news is, you don’t have to look far! Reach out today to get started on your website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of outsourcing web design?
There are many advantages to outsourcing web design, such as saving time, money, and resources. By relying on experienced web designers to create your website, you can rest assured that your project will be done right and within the budget. Outsourcing web design can also help you get a website that is customized to your business’s needs and can help increase your online visibility. Additionally, it allows you to outsource web design tasks that may be out of your comfort zone or require skills that you don’t have in-house.
Finally, outsourcing web design gives you access to experienced web designers who can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the design process.
Should I hire a web design agency or an individual designer?
It depends on your specific needs. If you need a complex website with multiple features, it’s usually best to hire a web design agency as they will have the resources and experience needed to deliver a quality product in a timely manner.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something simpler or more straightforward like a basic landing page, an individual designer may be the better option. They can offer more personalized service and their rates are usually lower than web design agencies.
Remember to always evaluate both options before making a decision – you want to make sure that you are working with someone who is experienced, reliable, and can deliver the website that meets your needs.
What are some web design terms I should know to better communicate with a web designer?
Here are some common web design terms you should know in order to better communicate with a web designer:
• UI (User Interface): the design of a website’s user experience, including how users interact with it.
• UX (User Experience): the emotional response and satisfaction level when users interact with a website. Check out our blog on the difference between UX and UI for more info!
• CMS (Content Management System): a platform used to create and manage digital content such as webpages and blog posts.
• Responsive Design: the practice of designing websites that are optimized for different screen sizes, so they look good on all types of devices.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): the process of optimizing a website for higher rankings on search engine results pages.
• Hosting: the process of storing a website’s files and data so it can be accessed by users online.
Understanding these terms will help you have more meaningful conversations with web designers and ensure that your project is successful.
Does outsourcing web development include SEO?
On average, outsourcing web development usually doesn’t include SEO services, but some designers may offer basic SEO such as meta descriptions and titles. Some designers and developers may offer SEO packages that you can add on for more in-depth SEO practices such as keyword research and content optimization. You should clarify this with your developer before you sign a contract.
What are the different types of website designs?
There are many different types of website designs out there. Some of the most common include e-commerce websites, static websites, blogs, and CMS-based websites.
E-commerce websites are designed to facilitate the buying and selling of goods or services, usually by using a payment gateway. Static websites provide basic information about a business or individual without requiring frequent updates. Blogs are ideal for creating content-rich sites with frequent updates, while CMS-based websites are made with a content management system that allows users to easily update the site’s content.
When you outsource web design, make sure to discuss the type of website design needed for your project so that you can get the best results.
