What Does A Web Designer Do?
A web designer – under the direction of an art director – designs the outward facing interface of a website.
When creating a website, an information architect designs the layout, format, and structure – called the wireframe. Then, a website designer takes that wireframe and adds colors, images, and typography, typically in Photoshop.
Once completed, website designers will present their designs as static images to the clients. After they are approved, they move into the web development phase.
Web designers are often confused for web developers – the professionals who write code and build the website. However, a website designer is more like a graphic designer rather than a software developer.
Are Web Design & Web Development The Same?
In short, no. Web design and web development are two different aspects that work together to create a custom website.
Website designers are more like graphic designers, inputting the aesthetics that a website will have, including creative fonts, imagery and colors.
After the layout and structure of the website is determined and the website designer graphically designs the user interface, the project moves into development.
Here, a website development team will write in code to build the website and its features.
Although website design and website development work hand-in-hand, they are two different processes with two different skill sets.
How Do Web Designers Charge For Their Work?
Hourly
Charging employees by the hour is the most common form of invoicing.
If you’re hiring a top web design company in the United States, that could cost you $100-$175 per person per hour of work.
Overseas, those experts’ fees tend to be less.
Expect closer to $55-$75 per person per hour for professional companies outside of the United States.
Per Project
Per project invoicing is beneficial for brands that need a variety of separate website projects created. Agencies will simply bill per platform built, and count each project as its own standalone invoice item.
Results-Based
For results-based billing, agencies and clients will determine specific key performance indicators that need to be reached in order for payment to be issued.
Flat Fee
Charging a flat monthly or yearly fee is common for brands that need an agency on retainer. They are often used for periodic consulting or website management. Flat fee-based agencies often help improve:
- System updates.
- Integration management.
- SEO improvements.
- And more!
How To Choose The Best Website Design Company
1. Determine The Type Of Website You Need
There are many types of websites, such as:
- Informational
- Social Media
- eCommerce
- Blog or magazine
- And more!
Determine which type of website you need and the objectives you’d like to reach through your site to find the best website designers that specialize in exactly what you need to succeed.
2. Create A Budget & Understand Pricing
Before you begin meeting with agencies, determine the amount that you are truly able to spend on your website.
Once you solidify your budget, search for the best web design company that can:
- Operate within your budget.
- Provide a return on investment.
3. Check Out A Web Design Company’s Portfolio & Case Studies
A website design agency’s case studies are clear indicators of their ability to build successful platforms and deliver results. Look for things like:
- Industry experience.
- Experience solving similar business problems.
- Incorporating innovations, trends and ideas.
- And more!
Pro Tip: The most important quality to look for in an agency’s case studies is their experience solving similar business growth problems as yours, regardless of industry.
4. Understand How A Website Design Agency Formulates A Process & Ensures Results
Take the time to understand how a web design agency creates an organized process and ensures you receive an ROI.
Learn things such as:
- Who will be working on your team, what their qualifications are, and how much time will be dedicated to your project.
- Who your point of contact will be.
- What the key performance indicators will be and how often they will be tracked.
- How often you will have meetings, calls and receive reports.
- How long the best web design company will monitor your site’s performance.
- And more!
10 Questions To Ask A Web Design Company Before Hiring Them
The following questions will help you understand every one of an agency’s offerings and help you decide if they are the right fit to grow your business online.
- Who will be working on the project and what is their experience?
- What web design, development or additional services do you offer?
- How do you stay in-the-know about the latest trends?
- Can you share some successful case studies and portfolio items? Why were they successful?
- Do you have any experience in our industry, market or solving a similar business problem?
- What is the organizational process of a website design project?
- Do you incorporate SEO optimization in website projects? Do you have an in-house expert?
- How often will you measure results and what metrics will you use?
- How much do your services cost and should we expect any additional fees?
- Do you offer long-term support and maintenance after the site goes live?
Who Are The Best Web Designers?
The top web design companies in the world have a key set of qualities that enable them to build professional custom websites for any client. These include:
- The ability to understand a brand and collaborate well with them.
- Experience solving relevant business growth problems online.
- Industry experience.
- Technical and creative expertise in web design, development, SEO and more.
- A portfolio filled with successful case studies.
- A clear pricing structure that enables a return on investment.
- An organized process for creating project timelines, deliverables, and key performance indicators.
- A variety of web design and development services.
- In-depth knowledge about the latest trends.
- And more!
Luckily, DesignRush lists some of the top web design agencies from around the world. Check out the table above and compare website design company rates, team leadership, case studies, ratings, reviews and more.
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