The Expert’s Guide to Outsourcing Web Design

As a business owner, you already have so much on your plate – from managing operations and overseeing marketing strategies to interacting with clients and leading your team. Balancing all these tasks while trying to design your brand’s website can feel like you’re juggling with fire. 

Forcing yourself to tick everything on your to-do list could even lead to stress, burnout, and an underwhelming online presence that does your business more harm than good. And the truth is, even if you possess some web design skills, the ever-evolving trends and technologies in the web design world can make keeping up feel like a never-ending uphill battle. 

So how can you outsource web design work? There are three ways: freelance platforms, website development and design agencies, as well as on-demand services. Choose the one that suits your business needs.

How to Outsource Web Design Work

1) Freelance Platforms

Freelance platforms provide an extraordinary opportunity for you to tap into a global talent pool at a fraction of traditional hiring costs. These platforms democratise the business process, allowing even small business owners to hire highly skilled web designers from across the globe. 

Freelancers offer immense flexibility, letting you hire professionals for one-time projects, long-term contracts, or anything in-between. Freelance platforms also handle legalities and secure payment transactions, which significantly minimises risk.

To put it simply, freelance platforms bring you a world of talent at your fingertips. They transform the painstaking process of finding and vetting candidates into a smooth, hassle-free experience. You can easily compare portfolios, rates, client reviews, and more, without the burden of conducting endless interviews or sifting through numerous CVs.

However, it’s not always rainbows and unicorns. One common issue with freelance platforms is the overwhelming abundance of options. How do you choose from thousands of candidates with similar skills and ratings? Also, there is always an element of risk involved when hiring someone you’ve never met in person. You’ll need to get used to remote management.

Take a look at some of these freelancing platforms:

• Upwork: Upwork is a global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate on projects.
• Fiverr: Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services, including web design. It’s structured differently from other platforms, with freelancers posting “gigs” that clients can directly purchase.
• Freelancer: Freelancer is another large platform that connects freelancers with businesses. It offers various project types, including contests, where freelancers compete to win a contract.
• Toptal: Toptal is a freelance platform that boasts the top 3% of freelance talent, including web designers. It has a stringent screening process, ensuring brands get to work with the crème de la crème of freelancers.
• 99Designs: 99Designs is a platform specifically for design services, where businesses can either work directly with a designer or start a design contest.

2) Website Development and Design Agencies

These agencies are your one-stop solutions for your web design needs. Hiring an agency means hiring a team of professionals who can handle everything from conceptualization, design, development, to ongoing maintenance and support. 

With a team of experts at your disposal, you can ensure that every aspect of your website – design, user experience, SEO, and more – is meticulously crafted to perfection.

While it’s undoubtedly convenient to have a dedicated team handling your web design project, it’s worth noting that this convenience comes at a cost. Agencies usually charge more than freelancers or on-demand services. And although the comprehensive services they offer justify the price, small businesses or startups on a tight budget might find it hard to afford them.

It’s up to you if you want to outsource to an on-shore or off-shore web design agency. If you live in Australia, the team at Manifest Website Design would love to know how we can help you. If you’re from other parts of the globe, check these agencies out:

• EIGHT25MEDIA: Located in Silicon Valley, EIGHT25MEDIA is a full-service digital agency that provides web design, development, and digital marketing services.
• Reactive: This UK-based agency offers a suite of services, including branding, media, digital marketing, and website design and development.
• 3 Minds Digital: Your one-stop shop in Asia for all your creative and digital needs.
• Clay: Clay is a UX/UI design and development agency based in San Francisco, offering end-to-end digital product design and development.

3) On-Demand Services

On-demand services are the rising stars in the outsourcing industry, filling a crucial gap between freelancers and agencies. 

These platforms provide pre-packaged services that you can purchase as and when required. This business model offers high flexibility and predictability, allowing businesses to avail of professional web design services without the commitment of long-term contracts. They offer predefined services at fixed prices, eliminating the need for negotiation. 

However, keep in mind that the simplicity of on-demand services can be a double-edged sword. While the fixed prices and predefined services can save time and prevent miscommunication, they also leave little room for customization. Unlike hiring a freelancer or an agency, where you can negotiate every detail of your project, with on-demand services, you generally get what you pay for.

Here are some on-demand services to consider for your web design outsourcing toolkit:

• DesignCrowd: DesignCrowd offers on-demand design services, where businesses can post their project and receive custom designs from multiple designers around the world.
• Squarespace: While Squarespace is primarily a DIY website builder, they also offer an “Expert” service where you can hire professionals to build your website on the platform.
• Wix: Similar to Squarespace, Wix offers an on-demand service called Wix Marketplace, where you can hire professional web designers to build your website on the Wix platform.
• ManyPixels: ManyPixels offers on-demand graphic design services, including web design.
• Bark: Bark is a platform where businesses can find and hire professionals for various services, including web design. You post your project, and Bark sends you a list of professionals who can help.

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Why Should I Outsource Web Design Tasks?

Outsourcing web design tasks might seem like a daunting proposition, especially if you are used to having an in-house team or managing these tasks yourself. But you can’t scale if you don’t ask for help.

Consider this: The world is teeming with talented web designers who possess a wide array of skills and styles. Outsourcing allows you to tap into this global talent pool. You’re not just limited to hiring local talent or those willing to relocate. This means you can find the designer who is the perfect fit for your project, no matter where they are located. Plus, diversity can bring fresh perspectives and creativity to your web design.

Outsourcing is also a boon for cost savings. Building an in-house web design team is an expensive endeavour. There are recruitment costs, salaries, benefits, and not to mention the time and resources spent on training and retaining employees. 

In terms of flexibility, outsourcing is hard to beat. Web design requirements can fluctuate, and maintaining a full-time team during slower periods can strain your resources. With outsourcing, you can scale up or down based on your project needs. 

Need a simple website revamp? Hire a freelancer. Dreaming of a large-scale redesign? An agency might be the way to go.

Lastly, outsourcing web design tasks can free up your time and energy to focus on your core business operations. Unless you’re a web design company, creating and maintaining a website is likely not your specialty. Outsourcing allows you to delegate these tasks to experts while you concentrate on what you do best – running your business.

Pro tip: By outsourcing web design, you’re not just hiring someone to create a website. You’re gaining a partner who can help bring your brand to life, engage your audience, and drive business growth. Remember, a well-designed website is more than a digital storefront – it can bring more sales and loyal customers to your business.

Outsourcing to Manifest Website Design Makes the Process Easier and More Affordable

To wrap up, outsourcing web design is not just a smart decision, it’s the new normal. The key is to outsource strategically. Your online presence matters more than ever, and it’s important to know that your website is in capable hands. So leave it to the experts. 

Allow me to point you towards my agency in Australia, Manifest Website Design. We have a solid record of producing effective website solutions that not just meet but exceed client expectations. We don’t just design websites; we create online experiences. Feel free to schedule a discovery session. 

After all, your business deserves nothing but the best.