Should You Hire a Web Designer to Build Your Company's Website?

Digital marketing and web design are powerful tools. Reports show that quality web design can influence 94% of first impressions. Meanwhile, poor design can drive 38% of web visitors away. And yet, many companies are still struggling with their website performance. 

codingWhile a wide range of website marketing resources are available, the problem often comes down to knowing what kind of professional services to turn to. Do you do the work yourself in-house? Hire a web designer? What about an inbound marketing agency?

Understandably, knowing which route to choose can be overwhelming for many businesses. With so much information and so many resources out there, it’s easy to get lost and find yourself putting your website market efforts on the back burner. 

In today’s competitive landscape, however, having a well-designed website is an absolute must. Putting your website and marketing on hold is not an option if you want to build a stable, credible, and successful business. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the roles of website designers and inbound marketing agencies to take the guesswork out of the decision process for you.   

What Role Does a Web Designer Play?

With digitalization taking over industries across the globe, there is no denying that web design plays a crucial role in successful marketing and sales. Hundreds of thousands of websites, like Hubspot, promote the benefits of web design along with tips and guides. 

That said, taking care of the web design yourself or hiring a professional web designer, are two very different things with very different outcomes. 

Web designers play an important part in creating successful and engaging websites. They are typically responsible for aspects such as planning and creating the layout of a website, designing visual elements, and deciding which visual elements to use, such as texts, graphics, colors, and videos. 

Hiring a web designer can be beneficial as their skills and expertise lend themselves to creating highly appealing websites that help boost the user experience. 

What Is the Role of an Inbound Marketing Agency?

Inbound marketing agencies provide a comprehensive suite of website marketing services with a focus on attracting customers by creating valuable and relatable content. Instead of simply focusing on the aesthetics of website design, these agencies develop a robust strategy that works to address customer needs and engage them at every point in their journey. 

Inbound marketing agency services can include:

  • Website development and design
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Copywriting
  • Content creation and marketing
  • Brand messaging
  • Social media engagement

Hiring a Web Designer vs. an Inbound Marketing Agency

What is the difference between a web designer and a web agency exactly and which one should you choose?

The simple answer is that a web designer is primarily focused on the aesthetics of creating a website, while an inbound agency includes web design plus numerous other services to help you develop an engaging website and marketing strategy that boosts leads and conversions. 

That’s not to say that a web designer isn’t good at what they do, but rather that they primarily do one thing well, while an agency does many things well. Additionally, because agencies are made up of various professionals, they have access to more resources, can provide more consistent support, are often more reliable, and likely have more combined experience than a single web designer. 

In many cases, web designers will be hired to work collaboratively with inbound marketing agencies, ensuring a website looks well and is dynamic and engaging. While the designer handles the visual elements, the agency comes up with the underlying strategy as well as the content and marketing elements to ensure your website is targeting your ideal audience. 

The final answer then, is that if you want more comprehensive support and services that will help you better reach your audience and boost sales, you should hire an agency. If you already work with a web designer that you like or have one in mind, they may be able to work collaboratively with an inbound marketing agency. However, keep in mind that many agencies already have their own in-house web designers, so you may not need to worry about hiring one separately.  

Innovative Inbound Marketing Solutions

Inbound marketing is fast becoming one of the most successful and reliable forms of marketing today. Global reports show that 41% of marketers confirm that inbound strategies produce measurable ROI, and companies that have used inbound marketing see their conversion rates double on average from 6% to 12%. 

At Digital Marketing Direction, we use innovative inbound marketing solutions to drive measurable results and help companies grow their brands. We provide comprehensive website marketing services, including web design, to match your company’s unique needs and goals. 

Ready to take your website to the next level? Request a consultation today! You can also download our guide to Redesigning Your Manufacturing Company’s Website to learn more about website redesign. 

manufacturing website redesign guide cta

Posted by Jackie Connors

Jackie Connors

Jackie Connors is the Founder & CEO of Digital Marketing Direction, a HubSpot Solutions Partner agency based in Texas. She provides inbound training, consulting, and content marketing services to mid-market companies.

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