A web design company is a specialized business that creates visually appealing and user-friendly websites tailored to a brand’s specific needs and goals. Its core focus is the website's visual identity, with particular attention to elements like color schemes, imagery, and layout for a cohesive and engaging user experience.

A web design agency helps businesses create websites that support their goals: building credibility, generating leads, or improving the user experience. The work often blends design with strategy, helping the brand communicate clearly and function effectively online. 

Agencies approach web design differently depending on their team and focus, but the process usually includes services like: 

• User research
  Before design starts, they try to understand who the audience is. What do users want from the site? What keeps them engaged or causes frustration? These insights guide structure and flow. 
• Website audit
  Most agencies begin with a speed, usability, layout, and messaging review when working with an existing site. They look for friction points and areas that no longer reflect the brand. 
• Brand and design direction
  They help shape or refine the visual identity — colors, fonts, layout decisions — to create a consistent and recognizable look, as the visual side of the brand matters just as much as the message. 
• UI and UX design
  Design teams focus on how a website looks (UI) and works (UX). The goal is to create a smooth experience where visitors know where to go and what to do next. 
• Custom theme development
  Rather than using prebuilt templates, many agencies build custom themes around the brand’s content and goals, with performance, flexibility, and responsiveness in mind. 
• Wireframing
  Early in the process, they might create wireframes — simplified outlines that show where content, images, and interactions will go. 
• Responsive design
  Good websites work well on every device. Responsive design means layouts adapt to screen size, whether a phone, tablet, or laptop, without sacrificing usability. 
• SEO Setup
  Agencies will often structure pages with basic search visibility in mind. That means readable URLs, proper headings, clean code, and sometimes keyword-focused content. 
• Platform Integration
  They also ensure the site works with tools the business already uses — a CRM, analytics dashboard, payment system, or something else. 
• QA testing
  Before launch, they’ll test how the site loads, looks, and behaves across browsers and devices to ensure it delivers the intended experience. 

The difference between a web design company and a web development agency comes down to focus. A web design company handles how a website looks and feels — the layout, the branding, and how users interact. It thinks about structure and experience from the user’s point of view. 

A web development agency builds the mechanics behind the scenes. It is responsible for writing the code, managing integrations, and making sure the site loads quickly and functions smoothly. 

Web design companies often work on: 

• Designing the user journey 
• Visual styling (colors, typography, layout) 
• Sketching wireframes before development begins 
• Improving site clarity and brand consistency 
• Planning the structure of content and pages 

Web development agencies typically handle: 

• Writing front-end and back-end code 
• Connecting databases and APIs 
• Building custom features for functionality 
• Managing hosting environments and deployment 
• Setting up content management systems like WordPress or Drupal 
• Monitoring site performance and fixing bugs after launch 

Hiring a web design agency can cost between $5,000 and $30,000 for a custom design and between $50,000 and $200,000 for an enterprise-level project. However, an agency’s pricing may vary depending on the type of website and platform, industry-specific requirements, level of customization, type of integrations, and the number of web pages.

Here is a breakdown of costs for different website components:

The top 50 website design companies on DesignRush charge an average hourly rate of $111. Approximately 14.9% of the agencies accept projects under $1,000, offering cost-effective solutions for simpler web designs. On the other hand, 1.6% require a $50,000 minimum budget, catering to large-scale and highly specialized design projects.

Top web design agencies take two to four months to design a website. The estimated timeline may vary depending on the website’s size and complexity, the level of customization, the number of iterations and revisions, the required functionalities and features, and the agency’s location.

Outlined below is the typical duration for each phase of the web design process:

You should hire a website design company because it can deliver a professional design that strengthens your online presence, attracts and engages visitors, and facilitates higher organic traffic and lower bounce rates. Cumulatively, these facts contribute to the overall success of your digital marketing campaigns. 

Hire a website design company to help you: 

• Craft cohesive and captivating pages that align with your brand visual identity, attract target audiences, and differentiate your business from the competition 
• Design elements that support lead generation and conversion efforts, including clear call-to-action buttons, strategic user flows, and logical visual hierarchies 
• Produce immersive and memorable experiences by customizing powerful visual elements and dynamic content, including animations, illustrations, and videos 
• Implement responsive designs, easy navigation, and intuitive interfaces to enhance accessibility, encourage usability, and elevate user experience 
• Optimize the website’s codebase, host it on reliable servers, and use the latest tools, technologies, and platforms to ensure scalability 
• Apply SEO best practices, such as quick load time, mobile-friendly layout, and organized data architecture, to increase website visibility and authority 
• Comply with the latest privacy and security regulations, like the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and industry-specific policies, like the Consumer Financial Protection Act, to protect your business and users from potential cyber threats 

Success story 

To further emphasize the impact of these services, our experts have selected the following case study by Lounge Lizard on its work for MIND GAMES. 

• Challenge: Luxury fragrance line MIND GAMES approached Lounge Lizard to build a robust and user-friendly eCommerce website. The brand had previously operated without a digital storefront, so it sought a sophisticated website to drive its online presence and boost sales growth. 
• Solution: Lounge Lizard studied the client’s competitors, market, and target customers to define its design framework and SEO strategy. Drawing on its research, the agency combined elements from chess, the fragrance line, and the client’s existing branding to create an immersive shopping experience that conveys the brand story. Lounge Lizard also customized the website layout and optimized its content to ensure cross-browser and cross-device compatibility. 
• Results: Following the website launch, MIND GAMES recorded over 3,200 users, a 13% week-over-week (WoW) increase in user traffic, and an average engagement rate of 63%. 

To choose the best web design agency for your business, consider the following steps: 

• Define what you need
  Get clear on what you’re looking for. What’s the goal of your website? Jot down the features you require, how many pages you need, what the branding should feel like, and any tools or platforms you’ll need it to connect with. Having this information sorted makes conversations with agencies smoother. 
• Decide on a budget
  You don’t need an exact dollar amount but set a range that works for your business. Consider your site's complexity and what others in your industry typically pay. This helps filter out agencies that might be way above or below what you’re aiming for. 
• Find examples you like
  Seen websites you love? Save them. Note whether it’s a slick homepage animation or a clean layout. This helps explain your taste to agencies, especially if you’re not proficient in design language. 
• Start the search
  Browse agency directories and marketplaces like DesignRush, or ask people in your network. Focus on agencies that know your space — it makes a difference when they understand your audience and what works in your industry. 
• Do a credibility check
  Review more than just a portfolio. Look at client feedback, testimonials, and detailed case studies. Have they handled similar projects? What kind of results did they deliver? This tells you more than any sales pitch. 
• Share your project brief
  Once you’ve got a few agencies in mind, send them a request for proposal (RFP). Include your goals, budget range, timeline, and a few sites you like. If you’ve already got a site, link it. Then compare the proposals you get back — not just by price, but by how well they understand your request. 
• Get in touch with the agency
  Set up a few calls. Ask how they’d tackle your project, their process, and preferred tools or platforms. Pay attention to their answers — are they flexible? Do they listen? 
• Ask about other services
  Need help with development? Ongoing updates? A/B testing or even training your team? Some agencies offer more than design; those extras might be useful later. 
• Pay attention to the communication style
  How’s their communication? Do they follow up? Are they clear or kind of vague? These little things give you a sense of what it’ll be like working together. You want a partner who’s easy to collaborate with. 
• Sign a contract
  Once you’ve picked your agency, get everything in writing: what’s being delivered, when, how you’ll stay in touch, and what it’ll cost. A good agreement clears up confusion and keeps things on track. 

Need help finding a good web design agency? Drop your project into our Marketplace — we’ll handpick five companies that match your needs. It’s quick and free. 

Using our agency's filters, you can find the web design company on DesignRush that fits your budget. Based on your budget, shortlist the selection from agencies catering to projects from $1,000 to above $50,000.

To get you started, here are a few options at different price points:

Our agency directory also lets you browse agency profiles based on location, area of expertise, agency reviews, client types, team size, budget, and hourly rates to compare web design agencies comprehensively and find the best fit for your project.

Red flags to watch out for when hiring website design companies include the following: 

• Their site is forgettable
  If their website looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, loads slowly, or feels clunky on your phone, that’s not a good sign. A professional agency should treat its site like a showcase, not an afterthought. If they can’t make themselves stand out online, how will they do it for you? 
• Lots of negative reviews
  Pay attention if you see a trend of bad reviews, especially ones mentioning missed deadlines, poor communication, or sloppy work. Those issues usually don’t happen just once. Check third-party review platforms; they’ll give you a clearer picture than the testimonials on the agency’s site. 
• Cookie-cutter designs
  Be wary of agencies that rely heavily on pre-made themes without much tweaking. Your website should reflect your brand, not look like a thousand others. If their work feels copy-pasted from one project to the next, chances are, they won’t put in the effort to build something unique for you. 
• Old or outdated tech
  Still using old tools or unsupported plugins? That’s a problem. Outdated tech can lead to issues like slow loading times, security risks, poor mobile performance, or headaches when integrating your other systems. You want a team that keeps up with modern standards. 
• No real portfolio
  If they can’t show you past work or their case studies are vague — that’s a red flag. Seeing how they’ve handled real projects tells you what to expect. A lack of examples makes it harder to judge their style, skill level, or whether they can deliver results. 
• No focus on security
  Website security isn’t optional. If they brush it off or don’t mention SSL certificates, secure code, regular updates, or data protection practices, that’s a risk you don’t want to take. A good agency should have a clear plan to protect your site and its users. 

The key success metrics in website design projects are the following: 

• Page load speed
  Measures how quickly each page becomes fully accessible to users. Faster load times contribute to better user experience and are favored by search engines. 
• Keyword performance
  Indicates how effectively the site ranks in search engine results for relevant keywords. Strong visibility reflects successful alignment with SEO strategies. 
• Bounce rate
  Reflects the percentage of users who exit the site after viewing only one page. A consistently high bounce rate can signal issues with site relevance or usability. 
• Time on page
  Captures how long visitors remain on individual pages. Higher engagement often points to a valuable, well-structured site. 
• Session duration
  The total time a user spends on the site across multiple pages. Longer sessions suggest effective navigation and a cohesive user journey. 
• Conversion rate
  Tracks how many users complete key actions, such as submitting a form, subscribing, or purchasing. This metric directly relates to the site’s ability to support business goals. 
• Return on Investment (ROI)
  Assesses the value delivered by the website relative to its design and development costs. ROI can include lead generation, revenue, or improvements in operational efficiency. 

Before hiring a web design company, consider asking these key questions: 

Its Relevant Background 

1. Have you worked with companies in our space or on websites with similar goals? 
2. Are you able to share references or connect us with past clients? 
3. How does your team stay current with design trends and changes in web standards? 

Its Services and Processes 

1. What does your design process typically involve, from first concept to launch? 
2. How do you ensure the site performs well on mobile and across different screen sizes? 
3. How do you keep the website secure during and after development? 
4. How do you factor SEO into the design phase? 
5. Is development handled internally, or do you work with external partners? 
6. After launch, do you offer support, maintenance, or performance monitoring?

Related to Your Project 

1. Will you be doing any discovery or research into our audience and business goals? 
2. Who will be working on the project, and what’s their experience with similar work? 
3. Do you have a sense of how many pages the site might need based on our objectives? 
4. How long will the full project take, including feedback cycles? 
5. How will the new design work alongside our existing marketing or content strategy? 
6. Are you providing the site content and visuals, or is that something we’ll need to supply? 
7. Who will own the design and content once the project is complete? 
8. How many revision rounds are included before additional fees apply? 

The best web design companies in the US are:

• Digital Silk
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (38 reviews)
  • 4.7 stars on Google (12 reviews)
  • Top clients: IBM, AT&T, NASA, Microsoft
• Clay
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (21 reviews)
  • 4.8 stars on Google (24 reviews)
  • Top clients: Meta, Google, Coca-Cola, Amazon
• Design in DC
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (18 reviews)
  • 4.9 stars on Google (29 reviews)
  • Top clients: World Bank, Calypso AI, Consumer Bankers Association, JFL Consulting
• Wanted for Nothing
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (15 reviews)
  • 5.0 stars on Google (35 reviews)
  • Top clients: Google, Nike, Honda, Cisco
• Lounge Lizard
  • 4.8 stars on DesignRush (10 reviews)
  • 5.0 stars on Google (7 reviews)
  • Top clients: Rent, Purdue University, Quantum Sponsor, NetChoice

We impose the same quality check on every piece of information we publish, which is why we sought insights from Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO and Founder of Digital Silk, a leading web design company. He answered common questions about web design agencies.

Gabriel Shaoolian, the CEO and founder of Digital Silk, brings over 25 years of industry expertise in enhancing brands through exceptional digital experiences. His deep knowledge of web design is grounded in the latest trends and best practices. Additionally, he is a published author on Forbes, where he shares valuable insights on digital marketing and sales strategies.