The answer to this question will depend on many factors including the overall website overhaul, the retailers expectations in regards to the website and the budget. If one’s business is more of a direct response site, such as an online catalog or an online sales office and are planning on the site to be static and very “domain based” then it may be more economical to have an in house staff in place instead of having to hire a fullstop design company.
Once an amenable and capable site has been identified and visited, the client may still want to have the benefit of the agency’s skill and experience in promoting the site. Whilst one may not have full ownership of the site and may only profit from adverts and commissions from the sale of the products, a domain design agency will be better able to advise if a static site is a more cost effective way of funding a project. Hence, if a static site needs to be funded, the agency will undoubtedly be able to recommend a more cost effective method of doing so. Web design agencies often have their clients portfolio on their site, which may be of benefit to the client.
For those who are thinking of a more “domain based” site, here are some of the pros and cons of hiring an agency:
Pros
Cons
One may also want to study the web design agencies revenue and branding as this may aid in their decision making process. Look at other clients, read reviews on the agencies sites and compare the sites to get a better perspective. Also, find out the latest market trends by visiting forums for industry specialists such as WebProNews; these will usually give an idea of what is and isn’t working nowadays. Generally, an agreement must be published (via their website) in order for the client to view the design agency’s rates, if any.
It can be daunting to get a contract and ask for the budget up front but remember, there is no maximum on how much a customer is prepared to pay as we mentioned above. A web design company’s investment is their time and expertise in making a website good enough to be profitable for your business.
Not many people in business will be able to design a site from concept to completion and probably be the highest paid designer, but this is expected as it costs a lot of money to make a website. For a static site the cost won’t be such a big deal to the client. For a dynamic keyword site the amount of work usually fallen on the web design, which is why the rate is so high, will be significantly reduced.
A good web design agency will probably charge by the word and not the contract. For instance, “Web Design Company Melbourne” is not quite the same as “Webdesign Etc”. Both of these would expect a lower fee. This may generate extra income in the short term but will lead to a higher invoice in the long run.
A design agency’s reputation is usually based on the type of websites they have built and what their portfolio is. Take the time to browse through each portfolios before selecting one, ensuring the style is what you need. It pays to shop around, as some of the “website templates” will be of poor quality (such as using too much graphics) and will make a website much more difficult to navigate and easy to leave (the customer will forget how it was to use it and may never visit again).
Businesses want their websites to be a reflection and extension of their personality and this can often be improved by either choosing an agency that specialises in e-commerce sites and CTA-driven interactive sites or looking for a design agency that can source a plain and simple website to get a great website done in a week or two.
The one thing the agencies will do better than any other business out there is keep you up to date with all the latest trends in website design and how they will benefit your campaign. So, make sure the agency you choose has a clearly defined agenda and has clear objectives to work with the client.
