The Real Reason You Can’t Find a Web Designer for Your Small Business and How to Fix It.
Finding quality web design for small businesses is a common problem for most companies. Especially for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As simple as acquiring a web designer for your small business may seem. The process often becomes difficult. As a business owner you get upset, become discouraged and start to wonder, “will I ever get website I need for my small business?” Do you want to know why a lot of business owners keep running into this problem?….
It’s because you’re not getting in contact with the right web designer that matches your specific business size, or your budget. The best way to accomplish this is to search for web design services based on your business size. Once you establish your business size that should help you come up with a solid budget.
You’re Not Connecting with the Right Web Designer for Your Small Business
When we say you’re not connecting with the right web designer or web design company for your business you may wonder what we mean. Small businesses come in a variety of sub-sizes and can fall into several different industries. The web designer you choose to bring your company’s vision to life should be able to fulfill your requests based on your business size, budget and more. Not all web designers or IT companies are created to suite every business. But if you find the an individual or company that specializes in creating websites for a company of your size and can work with your budget you’ve now eliminated half of your problems.
How to Find a Web Designer or Company Based on Your Business Size
The reality is most people self identify their company as a small business. However, most companies are not official small businesses. You may actually be a micro size business or a start-up, which are much smaller. But if you’re classifying yourself as a small business, you’ll end up looking for a web designer that may possibly be out of your league. To make sure you receive quality web design for your small business you should follow these steps listed below:
1. Determine your business size
A lot of entrepreneurs start a business and assume they’re classified as a small business. If you’re just starting on and working on a tight budget than you’re not a small business. More than likely you’re either a start-up or a micro-size business. These are subsets of a small business. However, they all have different criteria. To determine your business size the top 2 factors you should be viewing are:
- Revenue
- Number of persons employed
2. Establish your small business budget
Your small business budget should be based on the actual size of your company and how much revenue you currently make or intend to make
These 2 main factors will help you search and find quality web design for your business. It’ll also allow you to find either an individual or web design agency for small businesses that match your budget.
How to Determine Your Business Size
According to sba.gov there is no one set revenue number to determine a small business. There are a variety of credentials that gets judged and they vary depending on the industry. The top ones are:
- Revenue
- Gross
- Number of employed
However, there is a broad scale that helps to figure out what size most businesses are. Just keep in mind this threshold varies, especially by your business industry. In the meantime, it will definitely help most business owners declare their company size. That business size chart is listed below:
Different types of small to medium-sized businesses size chart
| Small to Medium Businesses | Micro-Size Businesses | Start-Up Businesses |
| Revenue: $500,000 – $7.5 million | Revenue: $100,000 – $499,999 | Revenue: 0 – $99,999 |
| Employees: 50 – 250 | Employees: 10 – 49 | Employees: 1 – 9 |
| Usually a LLC or Corporation | Usually a Partnership or LLC | Usually a Sole Proprietorship or LLC |
| Most Suitable Web Designer: Web Design Agency for Small Businesses | Most Suitable Web Designer: Freelance Web Designer | Most Suitable Web Designer: Student or Newly Freelancer Looking to Build Portfolio |
Web Design for Small to Medium-Size Businesses (SMBs)
The ideal type of web design for small businesses or even medium sized businesses is an official web design/development agency. Web design agencies number one clients are companies that are classified as small to medium-sized businesses. This is because small businesses are still looking to grow and expand, and also have the budget to seek out a professional web design firm that can provide them with quality work. In addition, web design agencies have the tools, resources and expertise to accommodate a small to medium-size business. Other benefits of hiring a web design agency to create a website for your small to medium-sized business are:
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. Expertise level work. | 1. May be hard to select the right web design agency for suites your small business |
| 2. Unlimited number of website pages | 2. May have to go with a web design agency that offers remote services if one isn’t local to you |
| 3. Offer high quality resources and tools | 3. They’re less likely to work with a small budget |
| 4. Payment plan budget for your web design project | 4. If you don’t truly have a small business budget you may view their prices as more expensive |
| 5. Team of experts | |
| 6. Great turn over time for the advanced level your website will be | |
| 7. Knowledge and ability to troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues that may arise during the web design process | |
| 8. Offers other additional services related to your website | |
| 9. Presents security measures that helps keep your website safe once live and active | |
| 10. Usually comes with some features that helps make your site more successful (i.e. SEO implementation, content creation, etc.) |
Rate: The price of a website for a small business from a web design agency ranges from $1,000 – $10,000. However, the most common rate within that range is $2,000 – $5,000
Where to find a web design agency for your small business:
- Google search
- Previous client referrals
- Business networking events
- Social media ads
Web Design for Micro-Size Businesses
For micro-sized businesses, the ideal type of web design service to work with is a freelance web designer. This is due to most micro-size businesses having a budget, but a limited budget. Freelance web designers are skilled professionals who have the standard knowledge and some hands on experience. However, they are still growing and learning the in’s and out’s of web design. But they should know enough to be able to design and publish a professional website for your micro-size business. They should also have enough skills where if any standard issues arise while building your website they can fix it. Other benefits to hiring a freelance web designer for your micro-size business are:
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. Freelancers are easy to access and get in touch with | 1. Usually works alone so turn over time may be slower |
| 2. Affordable prices perfect for micro-sized businesses | 2. Don’t have enough experience to troubleshoot all technical issues that may occur |
| 3. Provide standard web work that possess quality | 3. Don’t have the resources to offer advanced features |
| 4. Willing to work with your business budget | 4. Usually can only offer 1-2 additional features |
| 5. Have some tools to offer additional services | |
| 6. Have knowledge to troubleshoot some technical issues that may arise | |
| 7. Offers substantial amount of web pages to fulfill your website needs |
Rate: The price of a website for a micro-size business that hires a freelance web designer ranges from $500 – $1,000. The most common rate within that range is $500 – $800. A freelancer may also charge you by the hour. This has a wide range of $25 – $200 an hour.
Where to find a freelance web design for your micro-size business:
- Fiverr
- Craigslist
- Thumbtack
- Social media profiles
Web Design for Start-Up Companies
For start-up companies the most fitting type of web designer to create a site for your business would be a web designer or development student looking to build his or her portfolio. Or even an entry level freelancer. A web design student would most likely be the best option primarily because they can fit a start-up company’s budget. Most start-ups don’t have the budget to receive web design services from agencies. However, they still desire a professional website. A web design student looking to build their portfolio can offer you a quality website within your price range. The site won’t be as advanced as a website designed by a digital marketing agency, or even an experienced freelancer. However, it will be up to par and efficient enough to get you started on the internet. Other benefits to hiring a web design student to build a website for your start-up are:
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. Web design student is eager and enthusiastic to have you as a client | 1. Lack of tools and experience to offer advanced features |
| 2. Receive more direct attention from web designer due to their lack of having an abundance of clients | 2. Turn over time tends to be slower |
| 3. More likely to work with your limited budget | 3. Typically can’t troubleshoot any technical issues that may occur |
| 4. Current rate is already very affordable | 4. Design may be basic and limited |
| 5. May have a mentor or instructor to guide them while designing your website | 5. Number of web pages will have a cap on them |
Rate: The price of a website for a start-up business that hires a web design student ranges from $300 – $700. The most common rate within that range $400. If the student charges you by the hour their rate usually ranges from $25 – $75 an hour.
Where to find a web design student for your start-up business website:
- Web design schools
- Technology seminars
- You posting a craigslist ad as the business seeking a web design student
- Social media profiles
