Mary Burko
Content Writer, Researcher
In-house vs outsourced web design
2022-10-18
Web design is the long route of creating content for a brand. Modern website design is the combo of how things look and how things work. Moreover, it is not limited to websites but includes other uses such as web apps, mobile apps, etc.
The website design is not just a nice picture. It's the crucial solution for the business image, making the brand recognizable and valuable in the market. So, it is not enough to have a product. You have to make an effective, efficient, and visually pleasing display.
UX and UI design services allow companies to verify business ideas, ultimately saving money on development. Business owners can test every function before launching it with digital prototyping and iterative outlines. In this way, companies can avoid unnecessary expenses while still getting an accurate and realistic evaluation of their app or website.
By using an application or website prototype, the company can determine which functions are useless or need to be improved. With UX design services, the development process can be flexible, and money can be saved in the long run. Correctly implemented prototypes and validated features can help companies avoid change requests and ensure no requirements are missed.
Nowadays, many successful companies choose between in-house and outsourced web design. Let's try to understand the difference between these two types of hiring web designers and find the best for your company.
In-house web design
If you hire someone to create your website design in-house, they will only work on your projects. A complete focus will speed up the process.
Pros of in-house web designers:
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Priority Your company is always in the first place for an in-house web designer. Having someone work on your site in-house means only working on that website. With an entire focus, in-house web designers can deliver faster.
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In-depth understanding of your business In-house web designers work with you for a long time, which gives them a deeper understanding of the company's needs and values. With an in-house team member, you're saving the time it takes to explain all project details to an outsider.
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Communication Face-to-face conversations and tracking of work allow you to monitor and control in-house designers. As a result of an in-house team, you can see the work results and interact with them. With an in-house web development team, you have complete control over all aspects of your project. Each development step will be explained in detail, including progress and setbacks. You will be able to track the progress of your web development project more efficiently. Moreover, you understand and build a particular system of values, norms, rules, traditions, and principles driven by which your team works and your business grows. Often, corporate culture performs a motivational function by inspiring the team to achieve specific goals.
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Data security It is easier to secure your business when you work with reliable workers you know well. It is the question of intellectual property, and it has to be a priority.
Cons of in-house web designers
When we speak about in-house workers, that means additional expenses. An in-house web development team would be more expensive and would require you to hire more experts. It is essential to consider both the monthly salary and the mandated benefits such as paid leave and health insurance. In addition, you will need to consider HR services, equipment, personnel management, software, office space, and facilities.
Hiring in-house means incurring all costs without knowing whether your product will succeed. It can be hard to find skilled designers, especially in small cities. Many of the best talents have already been employed.
The next drawback of an in-house design team is a slow start. It is acсeptable for big projects but devastating for small ones. As a result, in-house web design resources become ineffective for short-term projects.
Outsourced web design
It's worth mentioning that outsourcing businesses are prevalent in today's IT industry. Moreover, the number of new outsourcing companies is growing each day. It has pros and cons, but it is needless to say that outsourced web design brings excellent results into the global market. So, let's analyze this in detail.
Benefits of outsourced web design
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Reduced cost One of the most incredible things about web design outsourcing is the opportunity to save money. You pay for the result without other expenses when you hire an outsourced web designer or company. It saves you a vast amount of time and cost of building a perfect in-house team. Hiring a fully staffed outsourcing company to execute your project is much more cost-effective than hiring and training your team.
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Save time using specific skills for specific projects Among the benefits of outsourcing is access to a large talent pool. You can choose people with excellent qualifications for the job, which means the projects usually get done faster. You can outsource web design work in various ways depending on the type of cooperation you choose and the country your outsourced vendor is from.
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New perspectives New workers can infuse a fresh look at the project, cutting-edge technology, tools, and solutions. It will help achieve the best result in a short time. Working with a third-party company will allow you to produce new ideas for your project and bring fresh perspectives. Web designers are incredibly creative people with the ability to find extraordinary solutions to tricky tasks.
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Global access Finding a web design outsourcing agency that delivers quality work within your budget is possible regardless of location. Digitalization provides endless opportunities around the world. And for the current unstable world situation, this benefit is quite crucial.
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Shift the focus When outsourcing website design, you have more time to focus on other essential business tasks. It is a great time to expand your business, get more clients, and do marketing. With a good outsourcing web development agency, you will always be able to stay involved in the process via email, project management tools, and Skype conversations. It would be possible for you to communicate with your team throughout the project's lifecycle.
Drawbacks of outsourcing
Outsourcing web design has its cons as any other model. You can collide with a need for more transparency and control over the development process. Also, there is a risk of disclosing confidential information. Nevertheless, outsourced web design gives you a fresh look at things and better results. It's a cost-effective way to get the desired web design.
Final thoughts
Outsourcing the design of your website adds new creative flair and gives a unique perspective on business strategy. Outsourcers can help you solve significant tasks.
The outsourcing team will complete the task much faster and more effectively. So, it is vital to choose an outsourced website design firm that can handle complex tasks, and it also determines the budget you can spend on the project. The use of outsourcing has historically been viewed as a way to reduce costs and optimize operations. Experienced professionals can quickly meet deadlines with the best possible results. In 2025 IT outsourcing will generate a value of $3976 million based on the following trends.
Frequently asked questions
Generally speaking, both options will be suitable for startups. Everything depends on the situation. Before making a final solution, you should answer two questions:
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How much time do you have?
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How much money do you have?
If you have time and money, you can choose an in-house agency. If you are limited in time, your best option is an outsourcing company.
However, your choice should be entirely based on your criteria: your business specifics, budget, and plans. Weigh in all the factors and make the choice that works best for you.
Using the services of an external web designer is an excellent opportunity if you want to build or boost your website design. The benefits of outsourcing design projects include time and cost savings. If you work with an agency or freelancer, you won't need to purchase software, create a workspace, or provide a computer to a new employee.
Before you choose a reliable outsourcing web design agency, you should check their reputation. You'd better research to find the best. You can look through such platforms as Upwork, Behance, Dribbble, Clutch, and GoodFirms. Your next step is to review agencies` portfolios and build solid communication. The collaboration will be more effective if both parties work towards mutual understanding.
If you plan to outsource web design and development, it can be challenging to determine the total cost of your web design project due to multiple factors. For example, the final price can differ depending on the location of the site. The stereotype that IT professionals from the USA mainly came from the United States is slowly dying out. You can hire experienced web designers from various parts of the world. For example, the average cost of a skilled web designer in Ukraine ranges from $40 to $70 per hour. Depending on the exact specialization, the cost may differ. The lower rates are relevant to most juniors; they can be a part of an experienced team in a startup, but not its skeleton. Consider hiring an outsourcing team in Ukraine if you plan to transform your ideas into a viable project using emerging technologies within a reasonable budget.
Here is the guide which can help you organize the initial efforts to outsource web design:
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Establish a budget and timeframe for the project
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Choose a web design agency that meets your requirements
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Find a trustworthy partner
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Define your primary business goals
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Sign a contract and an NDA agreement
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Agree upon the ways of communication.