What To Consider When Choosing a Web Design Agency

Deciding to have a web design agency create or redesign your website can be a big and often daunting task. With so many options available, it can be difficult to discern which agencies are reputable, reliable, and experienced for the demands of the project that you are looking to hire for.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a web design agency for your next project.

Are they a reliable agency?

When a company or individual decides to seek out professional web design services, there are a lot of options at their disposal. Without proper vetting, there is a chance of falling for an online scam. The general rule of thumb is that if a web design agency looks too good to be true—for instance, their prices are too low and their quality of work too high—then it probably is!

To determine if you are looking at a reputable agency, take a look at their portfolio. As web design is a highly visual and even interactive service, it is crucial that an agency offers a portfolio of their previous work to potential clients. A good portfolio allows you to get a sense of their work, style, and expertise. Be sure to take the time to explore the websites they have previously worked on to see how they actually perform.

Case studies are another great example of an agency’s work that you can use to determine if they are a good fit for you. A case study expresses how the company tackled the problems at hand and what solutions they offered their clients. Case studies go beyond the visual manifestation of a project to tell the story of the client’s actual experience.

Is their business sustainable?

When deciding to work with a web design agency, it is important to consider whether they are sustainable. In other words, you will want to ensure that they are secure and dependable. Although it is valuable to consider if they have a proven track record and have been in business for some time, it is also worth noting if they are able to sustain themselves in the future tense.

In your research, take care to find out whether the agency has been around for a long time. Sure, not every web design agency needs to have a 10 or 20 year history. But if they only recently started their operations, it is worth considering if they have the skills, resources, and experience required to take on a project with your specific needs.

In addition to this, you will want to find out if the agency stays up to date with current trends. This can often be established through the company’s portfolio and client testimonials or reviews, the latter which we will talk about more in a moment.

However, a lot can be determined by looking directly at the company website. If their own website appears severely outdated or does not function correctly, it can be a potential red flag for their client work.

Do they have client testimonials available?

Client testimonials reveal much about an agency beyond their expertise. Testimonials provide an overview of their work style, reliability, and willingness to collaborate with clients. Furthermore, testimonials can alert you to any potential roadblocks or issues that may arise during the project.

Typically, client testimonials can be found on the agency’s website. However, it is important to do your due diligence and find reviews posted elsewhere on the internet. By providing their thoughts on a platform such as Facebook or Google, clients are more likely to be unreserved and therefore give a much more accurate representation of their experience.

For this purpose, Plank uses Clutch.co to host our client reviews. Clutch provides credible and unbiased B2B client reviews for thousands of companies worldwide. Platforms such as Clutch can provide an in-depth perspective on clients’ experiences with certain agencies.

What areas do they specialize in?

There are hundreds upon thousands of web design agencies in the world today. But that does not necessarily mean that every agency is a good fit for your professional needs. While many web designers and agencies are competent in various aspects of the design process, most have specializations that should be accounted for during your research and decision-making process.

The first question to ask when reviewing an agency for a potential project is what type of services they offer. It’s important to determine what their areas of expertise are in so that you know if they are well-suited for your needs. Additionally, you should consider whether they work with a certain type of CMS. For instance, if you are looking for a web designer that can create your WordPress website, you won’t want to reach out to an agency that doesn’t even use WordPress!

It’s also worth mentioning that some agencies work within specific industries. While this can sometimes mean that an agency may not be receptive to working with clients outside of their target industries, that’s okay! This is often a good thing as it means that an agency with previous experience in your specific industry or similar industries will likely be able to offer specialized insight on your particular project.

Do they offer a solid plan for success?

At the end of the day, your website is a crucial part of your marketing plan. It is the face of your company and as such, you will want to ensure that it is up to snuff. In considering the value of your website, you will want to be assured that your web design process is as seamless and successful as possible.

While many agencies might be able to produce the results that you desire, the actual experience of working together should also be a positive one. A good plan for success requires an agency to measure goals in quantifiable terms and be transparent about tracking progress through the project term. It also requires that the agency be collaborative and willing to both listen to your ideas as well as produce their own.

It is possible to determine from client reviews whether or not an agency has a clear approach to ensuring success. However, you can also verify this by speaking directly with the agency. If they have a clear discovery phase, this is an important indication towards a positive client experience and professional relationship!

Choosing the web design agency for you

Ultimately, the most important thing to consider when applying these tips to your web design agency search is that whoever you choose is a good fit for you and your business. By taking all of these factors into consideration, you are giving yourself the opportunity to locate the best web design agencies out there so that you can be sure to find the perfect collaboration for your next project.