You’ve just launched your business, congrats! For many business owners, the next step is to create a new website. This will serve as the first point of contact for potential customers.
Having a well-designed website can make a big difference in how online users perceive your business. That’s why it’s important to find the right web design agency to build you a website that looks great and performs well in search engines.
But with so many web design companies and freelance web designers out there, how do you choose the right one?
This guide will help you navigate the process of selecting the ideal professional web design partner for your business needs.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Web Design Company
You’re probably thinking, “why hire a professional website design company if I can design a website on my own?” After all, there are free website builders or content management systems like WordPress and Webflow. These are surely the cheapest methods to design your website, right?
Well, the cheapest isn’t always the best. Free tools often have limited features, which prevent you from building your dream website design.
It’s also likely that you lack the technical expertise to create websites that look great and function smoothly. Are you really up for the challenge of learning the complexities of e-commerce website development, for instance? Probably not. You want to focus on growing your business rather than other tasks.
Investing in a professional web design company is usually the smarter move. It has a team of web designers with the necessary skills and experience to handle website design projects. They use the latest design trends and best practices to ensure your site is modern and user-friendly.
Still not convinced? Here are some statistics and data to back up the importance of hiring a professional website design company:
Professional Website Design Statistics
- 94% of first impressions are web design-related.
- 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on their website design.
- 50% of website users believe that a business’s website design is important to their brand.
- Google favors a website with a responsive and mobile-friendly website design.
- 90% of visitors will leave a site with poor web design.
- According to 84.6% of web designers, the most frequent error made by small businesses is crowded web design.
- In that same study, 38.5% of web designers believe an outdated website design causes many users to leave a site.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Professional Web Design Company?
Now that we’ve discussed why hiring a professional web design company is important let’s explore the benefits this decision brings to your business.
Better User Experience
A professional web design company focuses on creating a seamless user experience. They understand how users interact with websites. With this knowledge, they can create an intuitive web design that is easy to navigate.
Thanks to this user-oriented website design, visitors can stay on your site longer. This reduces bounce rates and increases the chances of converting them into customers.
Improved Search Engine Optimization and Online Visibility
Professional web design companies work alongside a digital marketing agency. In fact, some of them offer digital marketing services. As such, expect them to know the ins and outs of search engine optimization (SEO), a popular digital marketing strategy.
Web design agencies optimize your site for search engines from the get-go. They use techniques like keyword insertion, loading speed optimization, and secure connections to boost your digital presence.
A well-optimized site ranks higher on search engines, which drives more organic traffic to your business.
Time and Cost Efficiency
Hiring a professional web design company saves you significant time and effort. While it might seem cheaper to do it yourself, the time you spend could be better used on running your business.
Plus, professional website design agencies do it right the first time. There’s no need to worry about costly fixes down the road.
Customization and Flexibility
A professional web design agency tailors your website to your specific needs and brand identity. They can build custom features that set your business apart from competitors.
Whether you need a unique booking system, a custom e-commerce setup, or interactive elements, a professional web designer can make it happen.
Consistent Branding
A professional web design company ensures your branding is consistent across all pages of your website. They use your logo, brand colors, fonts, and messaging in a way that creates a cohesive look.
Thanks to this consistency, it’s easier than ever to build trust and recognition with your target audience.
Access to the Latest Technology
Web design agencies stay updated with the latest technology and design trends. They use cutting-edge tools and techniques to build a modern, fast, and secure website.
This keeps your business competitive and appealing to tech-savvy customers.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
The top web design companies offer ongoing support and website maintenance. They handle updates, security patches, and troubleshooting to maintain a functional and secure website.
Thanks to this constant assistance, you can have peace of mind and freely focus on your core business activities.
Increased Conversion Rates
A well-designed website is more likely to convert visitors into customers. Professional web designers create a site with conversion in mind.
They use call-to-action phrases, engaging visuals, and user-friendly layouts that guide visitors toward making a purchase or inquiry.
Competitive Advantage
With a professional website design, you can stand out in the crowded online marketplace. A unique, attractive, and functional website gives you a competitive edge.
This helps you attract and retain more customers.
Common Web Design Services Offered by Professional Web Design Agencies
After learning the benefits of hiring professionals, let’s discuss the common web design services these agencies offer. It’s important to understand these services to make an informed decision about what your business needs.
Custom Website Design and Web Development
Custom web design is all about creating a unique website tailored to your brand and specific needs.
These websites are more likely to stand out in search engine results. They also align perfectly with your business identity.
Responsive Design
A responsive web design ensures your site functions and looks great on all devices, from smartphones to desktops.
This feature is crucial as more people browse the web using their mobile devices.
Website Redesign
Sometimes, your existing website needs a refresh. Website redesign services focus on updating the look and feel of your current site.
They also improve functionality and align your site with the latest trends and technology.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that provides the technology needed for your website to be viewed on the Internet.
The best web design companies offer hosting services to ensure your site runs smoothly.
E-commerce Solutions
For businesses that sell products or services online, e-commerce solutions are essential. Some web design companies also offer these services.
It involves setting up online stores, shopping carts, payment gateways, and more.
SEO and Digital Marketing
SEO and digital marketing services help improve your website’s visibility on search engines.
Web design agencies use strategies like keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content marketing.
Website Maintenance and Support
After your site is live, ongoing website maintenance and support are crucial to keeping your site running smoothly.
The best web design agencies provide this service to their clients. They perform regular updates, security checks, backups, and troubleshooting to ensure a functional and secure web design.
How to Choose a Professional Website Design Company? 9 Guide for Business Owners
Now that you know the web design services offered by professionals, the next step is to select the right web design company. Follow this guide below to make the right choice and ensure the web designer meets your expectations.
1. Assess Your Business Needs
Start by identifying what you need from your new website. Consider your business goals, target audience, and the functionalities you require.
Are you looking for an e-commerce site, a blog, or a corporate website?
Knowing your needs will help you communicate your vision clearly to potential web development companies.
Here’s a checklist to help you out:
- Primary purpose: Determine whether your site will focus on sales, information, lead generation, or another objective.
- Essential features: List necessary web design elements like contact forms, e-commerce capabilities, blogs, or booking systems.
- Clear objectives: Set measurable goals such as increasing online sales by 20% or doubling website traffic.
- Budget: Know how much you are willing to invest in your website and consider ongoing costs, like maintenance and hosting.
- Integration needs: Identify if your site must integrate with other systems like CRM, payment gateways, or email marketing tools.
- Technical requirements: Determine if you need specific technologies or platforms, such as WordPress, Shopify, or custom-built solutions.
- SEO strategy: Know if you require ongoing SEO and internet marketing services to help your site rank well on search engines.
- Content requirements: Decide if you need help with content creation, such as copywriting or product descriptions.
2. Research the Best Web Design Agencies
By now, you have a clear idea of what you want from web design companies. The next step is to find the best web design firms to work with.
Do thorough research on each web designer you’re considering. Look for a professional web design agency with a strong portfolio, good client reviews, and a track record of successful projects.
Create a shortlist of 5-10 web design companies that stand out based on their expertise and client feedback.
3. Evaluate the Expertise of Different Web Design Companies
After narrowing down your choices, review each company’s portfolio to assess their expertise and style.
Look for projects similar to what you need and evaluate the quality of their work. Consider their experience in your industry and their ability to deliver innovative web design solutions.
For example, if you own a restaurant chain, you should choose a web design agency with extensive experience in the food industry. This ensures that you partner with a company that matches your needs and expectations.
4. Read Reviews and Testimonials
Besides their portfolio, you should also check the client reviews of shortlisted web design companies. Pay special attention to customer feedback regarding timeliness, creativity, and customer service.
Thanks to these testimonials, you can accurately gauge the agency’s reliability, communication, and quality of work.
5. Discuss the Design Process and Workflow
It’s also important to understand the design process of a website design company. Ask about their project management methods, communication channels, and how they handle revisions.
Armed with this information, you can evaluate if both of you will be on the same page throughout the project.
6. Review Communication and Responsiveness
Effective communication is the key to a successful web design project. That’s why it’s important to choose a website design company with good communication skills.
Based on the initial consultation alone, you can already tell how clearly they communicate. Choose a web design agency that responds to your queries and automatically provides updates without asking them.
When you work with a website design company that communicates well, you can avoid misunderstandings and keep the project on track.
7. Compare the Cost and Value of Top Web Design Companies
Consider the cost of hiring a web design company.
How much is the initial payment to begin the web design and web development processes? Will the web design project require a one-time payment or a recurring service cost per month?
Ask for detailed quotes from each web design agency.
Then, compare the value each web design company offers in terms of services, expertise, and support. Sometimes, a higher initial price can result in better cost savings in the future. Or consider outsourcing website development to reduce costs.
Look for transparent pricing and potential hidden costs.
8. Check for Post-Launch Support
Post-launch support is crucial for maintaining your website’s performance.
Ask about an agency’s support policies and typical response times for resolving issues.
Then, choose a web design company that offers ongoing maintenance, timely updates, and reliable technical support. This helps you avoid potential issues and keeps your site running smoothly.
9. Verify Legal and Contractual Aspects
Before finalizing your choice, review the contract of the web design agency carefully. Check if it includes clear terms regarding project scope, timelines, costs, and intellectual property rights. Understanding these details helps prevent disputes later on.
Below is a checklist to guide you:
- Project scope and deliverables: It should outline what the web design company will provide, such as the number of pages, types of functionality, and any specific design elements.
- Payment terms and schedule: This section should detail the total cost of the project, payment due dates, and any additional costs for revisions or extra work beyond the initial scope.
- Timeline and milestones: It must include a detailed timeline with key milestones to keep track of the project’s progress.
- Ownership of website and content: Verify who will own the website and its content once the project is completed. Ensure that you retain full ownership of your website, including all design files, content, and intellectual property.
- Confidentiality and data protection: It should include clauses that protect your confidential information and comply with data protection laws.
Web Design Process: 7 Important Steps Web Design Companies Follow
By understanding the web design process, you know what to expect when working with a professional website design company. Here are the seven crucial steps top web designers follow to create a successful website.
1. Initial Consultation and Planning
The first step is an initial consultation with the web design agency.
During this meeting, you discuss your business goals, target audience, and specific needs with the web design company. This phase is all about gathering information to create a detailed project brief.
2. Web Design Mock-up Presentation
After gathering the necessary information, the design team creates initial mock-ups or wireframes of the website. These mock-ups provide a visual representation of the site’s layout, design, and navigation.
3. Actual Web Design and Development
Once you approve the mock-ups, the actual design and development phase begins. This involves creating the visual elements and writing the code to bring your website to life.
A web designer works on graphics, typography, and color schemes. Meanwhile, developers handle coding, functionality, and everything else related to web development or software development as needed.
4. Content Creation
If your business needs content creation services, the web design agency will start developing a content strategy tailored to your goals and needs.
They often partner with a digital marketing agency to write clear and compelling website copy. They also create images and produce videos that will be published on your site.
Lastly, the best web design company ensures that the content is engaging, relevant, and optimized for search engines.
5. Search Engine Optimization
SEO is also integrated into the web development process to improve your site’s visibility on search engines.
After creating content, professionals will optimize on-page elements like meta tags, headers, and images. They also ensure the site’s code and structure are SEO-friendly.
6. Testing and Launch
Before launching your website, the web design company must first test the website. They make sure the site functions correctly across different devices and browsers. This involves checking broken links, testing forms, and optimizing loading times.
Once testing is complete and all issues are resolved, the professional web designer launches the website.
7. Post-Launch Support and Maintenance
After the website is live, ongoing support and maintenance are important to guarantee the site runs smoothly.
The web development company does this by updating the site and fixing security issues. They also monitor the website’s performance to maintain its security and functionality.
5 Best Web Design Companies to Consider
Still unsure which web design company to choose for your site? The following list of the best web designers will help you make a more informed decision.
1. LeftLane Media
LeftLane Media is a leading web design company based in Orange County, California. Founded by Rob Smither in 1999, this digital agency has more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
Its team of professional web designers creates custom websites that look great, function well, and rank highly on search engines.
Besides designing websites, LeftLane Media also offers other services to help build your digital presence. Whether you need help in web development, SEO, or simply web hosting, this company will support your goals.
What makes LeftLane Media different from many web design companies is its client-driven focus. Working with this agency means being a part of a family of designers, developers, and marketers who know what’s important—growing your business.
Services offered by LeftLane Media:
- Web design
- Web development
- SEO
- SEM
- Social media marketing
- Web hosting
2. Lounge Lizard
Source: Lounge Lizard
Lounge Lizard is a web design company with offices across different US states. It specializes in creating custom business websites that resonate with the target audience.
Additionally, Lounge Lizard has a background in advertising. Its team of marketing professionals knows the importance of brand strategy when developing websites.
Since 1998, Lounge Lizard has worked with businesses in different industries, from health and fitness to retail. So, no matter what niche you’re in, this web design company can accommodate your needs.
Services offered by LoungeLizard:
- Branding
- Website design
- Web development
- Digital marketing
- SEO
- Mobile app development
- Website maintenance
3. WebFX
Source: WebFX
WebFX is an award-winning web design company proficient in web design and all digital marketing aspects. From pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to SEO copywriting, this full-service digital agency can help your business generate revenue.
When you work with WebFX, your company gets a dedicated account manager. This person will be your go-to contact for your web design requirements and other digital projects. Keeping track of progress and ensuring they meet deadlines is easier than ever.
Services offered by Web FX:
- Web design
- SEO
- PPC advertising
- Content marketing
- E-commerce marketing
- Revenue acceleration platform
- Web maintenance
4. Dotlogics
Source: Dotlogics
Dotlogics is a full-service agency with web design services. Its team of professionals uses the power of technology to design websites that offer exciting customer experiences. These influence your target audience to stay longer at your site, which increases the chances of conversion.
Dotlogics also works with global experts. This web design agency maximizes its expertise and cultural insights to provide cutting-edge solutions.
Beyond website design, Dotlogics applies AI and other best technology practices to increase your business’s value.
Services offered by Dotlogics:
- Web design
- Brand strategy
- Cross-platform integration
- AI application development
- Growth marketing
- SEO
- Web hosting
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
5. DIGITECH
Source: DIGITECH
DIGITECH is a web design company based in Austin, Texas. It specializes in building websites that reflect your brand persona. Its web design process starts from the ground up to engage your target audience.
Additionally, DIGITECH has a team dedicated to optimizing your site for search engines. This agency uses the best SEO practices and the latest technologies to ensure your site ranks at the top of search engine results.
If you need more than web design and SEO, DIGITECH also provides other digital solutions to meet your requirements.
Services offered by DIGITECH:
- Web design
- Web development
- SEO
- Branding and identity strategy
- Paid marketing
- App development
Professional Web Design With Left Lane Media
If you have a project and want to get started with LeftLane Media, fill out their quote form.
You can also contact them by dialing 714-676-9253 or visiting their office located at 3040 Saturn St #205, Brea, CA 92821.
FAQs About Professional Web Design Company
How long does it take to design a professional website?
On average, it takes two to five months for a web designer to create a website. The exact duration varies depending on the complexity and features required. Simple, informational websites are faster to finish, while more complex e-commerce sites take longer.
Why hire a professional web design agency?
Hiring a professional web design agency means you get a high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website. Professionals have the necessary experience and knowledge to create a site that attracts and retains customers.
How much do professional web designers cost?
The cost of hiring a professional web designer can vary widely based on the project’s scope and complexity. Prices can range from $2,000 for basic sites to $50,000 or more for advanced, custom websites with extensive features and integrations.
How often should I update my website design?
In general, you should update your web design every two to three years. Regular redesigns keep your site looking fresh while maintaining functionality and security.
Does owning a website make money?
Yes, you can generate revenue by owning a website. Popular strategies include e-commerce sales, advertising, affiliate marketing, and lead generation. Additionally, having a well-designed website can attract more visitors and convert them into paying customers.