What Does a Web Design Agency Do?

What a web design agency does

A web design agency offers services that specialise in developing websites for businesses and organisations. It focuses on creating user-friendly designs with visual appeal and functionality that are consistent with the client's branding and business goals. 

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Why are well-designed websites so important?

Website design plays a crucial role in establishing and enhancing an online presence. Here are some ways that effective website design can help boost online presence:

1. User Experience: A well-designed website provides an intuitive and user-friendly experience for potential customers. Good UX leads to higher engagement, improved information sharing, and encourages repeat visits.

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2. Brand Recognition: A website design that draws on established brand elements can strengthen customers' recognition of and recall for the company's brand. Consistent use of colours, fonts, and imagery throughout the website will create a cohesive visual identity reflective of the company's values and messaging. 

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3. SEO: a well-designed website is essential in optimising search engine performance. An optimised structure and responsive design can significantly enhance a website's visibility, allowing it to reach potential customers searching for services or products related to the business.

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4. Mobile User Experience: For improved visibility and enhanced user experiences, websites should be designed to be mobile-compatible. This can facilitate access and usage of the website across multiple devices.

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Overall, effective website design can help create a positive online presence of your business, increase visibility and traffic, and ultimately drive conversions and revenue.

What design services does a professional web design agency provide?

A digital agency specialising in websites offers web design, custom development, and maintenance services. They generally have design teams, and in-house developers and can keep your website current.

Here's a list of the design services they provide:

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• User experience (UX) & User Interface:

Develops wireframes and prototypes to outline the customer journey map and the website's functionality and navigation. This enhances user experience by making the website easy to navigate and intuitive.

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• Front-end development:

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Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create and format a custom website in a responsive web design so custom websites can be accessed on different device sizes.

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• Back-end development:

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Back-end development teams are responsible for producing the server-side features to support the website, which may include setting up a content management system and creating any custom functions required.

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• E-commerce website development:

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Create an e-commerce website for businesses to conduct online sales.

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• Search engine optimization (SEO):

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Working with a digital marketing company that specialises in web design services and SEO agency can help structure a digital marketing strategy to create optimised website content, leading to improved SERP rankings, increased visibility and more visitors.

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• Website maintenance and support:

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Provide support design services for a website, including technical fixes, content updates, and bug resolution. 

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• Website hosting:

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Development agencies help ensure website hosting services are running smoothly so that a server can host the website files for online access.

• Website analytics and reporting:

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Design agencies are not just creative teams; they also monitor website activity, such as traffic and user behaviour. This can help feed clients insights about website performance, aiding in improvement decisions.

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Do Good Things designs high converting, responsive websites for professional services, B2B and SaaS companies in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and all over NZ

If you want to read up about the results our partners are now getting from their custom website designs flick through our portfolio of work

If you want to know more about how our web design and digital marketing services can help you get in touch with us here

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The process behind how a web design agency works:

A web design agency in Hamilton generally works through several stages, such as discovery, planning, design, development process and testing, to produce a website suitable for the client's requirements. 

They use structured development processes to ensure that the website is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly, which can help businesses attract and maintain customers, improve conversions, and reach their online goals.

By going through a structured web design process, clients can benefit as the custom website is fully tailored to a client's needs, enhancing their brand identity and user experience, and positively affecting their success in the online marketplace.

How the web design process works:

• Discovery

The discovery phase requires the team to engage in conversations, research, and analysis with the client about their business, potential customers, target market, and objectives. This helps identify the goals of the website and its intended audience.

• Planning

During the planning phase, the team will form a plan which outlines the website's structure, pages, and content hierarchy. Additionally, they will decide how to organise the website's content and shape the desired user experience.

• Designing

During the design process, teams will develop wireframes, prototypes, and user flow diagrams to determine website functions and navigation. Additionally, they will curate a visual style and design concepts to mirror the client's branding and align with their objectives.

• Development

The development team will utilise HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to construct a responsive website that looks appealing on various devices. They will also integrate a content management system (CMS) and create any necessary custom features.

• Testing

During the testing phase, the design team will evaluate the website's functionality, bugs and usability through tests and user feedback.

• Launch

The website will be launched to the public once all functionality is verified.

• Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance and support will be conducted to ensure the website runs correctly; this customer service includes troubleshooting, content updates and technical assistance.

How to hire a freelance web designer? Digital design agency or DIY websites?

Creating a website is a crucial step for any business, regardless of size. However, it can be challenging to decide between using a freelance web designer or a web design agency or going for a DIY approach. Cost is often a concern when considering professional design services. However, there are many affordable solutions available. By understanding the advantages & challenges of both, you can make an educated decision to match your business needs.  

Is your business able to achieve great results with DIY website building?

Creating a website yourself has several benefits. You have complete control over the website's design and features, saving money on professional web design costs, having the flexibility to work at your own pace, and potentially a valuable learning experience.

If you have the time, design and development skill set, this may be the route you want to take. However, if it is simply to save money, the results you may achieve by hiring an affordable web design agency may far outstrip anything you can whip up in your spare time.

What are the common mistakes with DIY websites?

Suppose you create a DIY website without proper knowledge or experience. In that case, there are potential risks such as ineffective design and functionality, low-quality content, inadequate SEO, security vulnerabilities and difficulty updating the website. These could lead to lower user traffic, fewer conversions, and a decrease in the overall success of your business.

If you need help understanding the basics of how to structure pages to entice potential customers into taking action on a site, it's best to leave it to chance. Investing in a well-functioning website at the beginning will avoid issues such as high bounce rates, slow page loads and poor visibility in the SERPS.

Should I hire a web design agency?

To outsource your website to a design company or not is a question businesses ask themselves a lot; they may need help deciding whether to use a web agency, go with a single freelancer or create their website in-house. Multiple factors should be taken into account when making this decision. 

This is our recommendation of what to look for when hiring for a web design project. 

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• Expertise:

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Web design companies have professionals specialising in website design, development, and maintenance. These professionals can develop websites that match your business objectives and accurately reflect your brand identity. They can also guide the latest design trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to keep up with the competition. Ask them for their design concepts during your discovery phase; this will give you a good indication of whether you align with their work or now.

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• Time:

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Building a website from scratch can be a time-consuming process. Use a website design company if you want to save time on your end; make sure they can provide a clear timeline and milestones to ensure that the project stays on track and meets your deadlines. Hiring a freelancer or having your in-house team design and develop a site may extend deadlines as they may have multiple prioritises. 

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• Quality:

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Design agencies with SEO experience can build a website optimised for search engines, looks professional, and provides a great user experience. This can improve online presence, drive more traffic, and generate potential leads. 

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• Cost:

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Hiring a design company for a custom website with advanced features and functionality is an investment. Still, it can lead to long-term benefits such as increased traffic, conversion rate and brand recognition. In addition, every design agency should offer clear and transparent pricing, which helps with budget planning.

Make the best decision for your business.

Despite weighing the pros and cons of working with freelance designers versus web design agencies or hiring internally, the question remains: how can you ensure that you select the right person for your website development project?

Here are some guidelines to consider:

When choosing a freelance designer, it is advisable to consider if:

• The project is manageable and can be accomplished by one individual.
• You are working within a budget, it may be challenging to hire a larger agency.
• The timeframe for the completion of the project is a minor concern.
• You are not looking to create a long-term professional partnership.

When selecting a professional web design agency, who may be a good fit if:

• Your project requires custom and complex design and development that cannot be done by a single person
• You have a short deadline and need to work quickly.
• Working with a single agency on multiple projects is preferable rather than engaging multiple contractors.
• You aim to form a long-term partnership and cooperate on future design or digital marketing projects.
• A priority is ensuring the project is delivered on time and to a high standard.

When hiring an in-house designer for website development, keep the following factors in mind:

• Seek out professional web designers with experience and proficiency in website design and development. They should be knowledgeable of industry-specific design trends and best practices.
• Calculate the cost of hiring an in-house designer, including salary, benefits, and other associated expenses, to determine if it is within your budget.
• Assess the in-house designer's workload to ensure they can devote enough time to finish the project by the required deadline.
• The designer should possess practical communication skills and the ability to collaborate with your team and stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes for the project.
• When recruiting professional web designers, consider their values and work style to ensure they are compatible with the company culture and vision.
• Evaluate the designer's portfolio to evaluate their design abilities and past projects.
• Ensure your website designer can handle scalability to meet any potential future changes in requirements.
• Assess the training and assistance required for the designer to have adequate resources necessary to fulfil their role.

What should I look for in a good web design agency?

When choosing a web design agency, it's essential to consider several factors to ensure that you find the right partner for your business needs. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

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• High levels of experience:

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Look for a design firm with a proven track record of delivering high-quality websites and a design portfolio of past work showcasing their expertise and style.

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• Expertise:

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Choose an agency with expertise in your specific industry or niche and can understand your unique business needs and goals.

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• Communication:

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Ensure the design company has clear communication channels and is responsive to your questions and concerns throughout the project. Business owners should expect a design partner who is quick to respond and can provide clear feedback. 

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• Collaboration:

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Look for an agency that values collaboration and involves you in the website development process, including the design, development, and testing stages.

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• Budget:

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Determine your budget for the website development project and choose an agency that offers transparent pricing and can work within your budget constraints.

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• Services:

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Consider the agency's wide range of services, including website design, development, maintenance, and support, to ensure that all your needs are met.

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• Reputation:

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Read online reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get an idea of the design agency's reputation and quality of service. Positive reviews are a clear indication of good service.

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• Compatibility:

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Ensure that the agency's culture and values align with your own to foster a positive working relationship and achieve the best results for your business.

Why choose a full-service web design and digital marketing agency?

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Full-service digital marketing agencies can be an excellent choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive online marketing strategy, including website design, SEO, and paid media campaigns. In addition, by working with a full-service agency, companies can benefit from the following advantages:

1. A full-service agency can coordinate website design, SEO, and paid media campaigns for a comprehensive marketing strategy with united goals.
2. Expertise: Full-service agencies usually possess a group of specialists in different aspects of digital marketing, like web design, graphic design, search engine optimization , and social media marketing. Businesses can benefit from access to specialised skills and knowledge they may not possess internally.
3. Utilising a single agency for all digital marketing needs can facilitate consistency of branding, messaging and design across all channels, thus creating a stronger brand identity and fostering recognition.
4. By bundling services with a full-service agency, businesses can save money while receiving high-quality digital marketing services in Christchurch.

For more information on the benefits of hiring a full service agency read our article on what digital marketing agencies do.

Work with Do Good Things to accelerate your growth online, 

We are a full-service digital marketing agency that can provide businesses with a comprehensive and effective digital marketing strategy that includes website design, SEO, and paid media campaigns.

Get in touch with us today.

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