Why You Should Hire a Local Website Designer

Your website is the digital storefront of your business. It’s often the first place potential customers go to learn who you are, what you offer, and why they should choose you over the competition. That’s why choosing the right person or team to build and maintain your website is such an important decision.

Did you know that nearly half of internet users consider web design as the top way they determine the credibility of a company? With that in mind, you need to bring in a huge, high-dollar agency to revamp your site, right? Not exactly.

The truth is that a local website designer may actually be the best fit for your business. Local web designers are particularly advantageous if you run a small to medium-sized business. That’s because they understand the challenges you face and the market you are trying to connect with.

Before you choose a partner to retool your digital footprint, learn why a local business website design firm is likely the right choice.

What’s Covered Below:

Why you should work with a local website designer
Pros and cons of going local vs. other options
Questions to help you decide whether going local is the right fit

The Options for Website Design

Before diving into why a local website designer is such a strong choice, let’s look at the other common options you have available to you:

Large Agencies: Big marketing firms have tons of resources, but they come with a huge price tag and may be disconnected from local markets
Freelancers: Independent designers can be affordable, but consistency is always a concern
DIY Website Builders: Platforms like Wix and Squarespace have templates to get you online fast, but customization and performance are limited
In-House Hires: Adding a dedicated employee can give you control, but it also brings significant overhead

Each option has pros and cons, but for many local businesses, a local website company strikes the perfect balance.

Why Work With a Local Website Designer?

When seeking web design for local businesses, choosing a partner in your market offers a ton of perks, such as:

Personal Connection and Trust

When you hire a local web designer, you gain a real partner who understands your community and can meet with you in person.

Instead of dealing with an anonymous email chain or offshore team in another time zone, you’ll have a face-to-face connection with someone who’s invested in your success. That personal relationship builds trust and ensures your vision doesn’t get lost in translation.

Think about it. A firm that specializes in website design for local businesses understands what it takes to build trust, forge connections, and create a lasting reputation. They face many of the same challenges you do and will approach your project with tenacity and focus. That’s what it takes to stand out in local markets.

Better Communication

Communication breakdowns can derail a website project quickly. Local web designers are accessible when you need them. You can hop on a quick call or invite them to your office. There won’t be any days wasted waiting for a response or struggling against time zone differences, and you can always rely on digital communication for time-sensitive requests.

With a local partner, you can even take time to meet face to face before you hire them. Grabbing a cup of coffee and discussing your project goals is one of the best ways to convey your expectations.

That’s the beauty of going local. A local partner won’t treat your business like just another client file in the queue. They will prioritize you at every stage of the process. The agency’s reputation and future depend on it.

Understanding the Local Market

A huge advantage of web design for local businesses is that your designer actually lives and works where your customers are. They understand the culture and the competition you are up against. They also get the nuances of your market.

That insight helps shape a site that connects authentically with your audience rather than feeling like a one-size-fits-all template.

While you will still have plenty of opportunity to convey your expectations and pain points, the local firm will already have a baseline grasp of who you are trying to reach. As a result, there is a much lower risk of miscommunication.

Professional Photography and On-Site Support

Your website needs powerful visuals to stand out. Working with a local web page designer often means you get access to professional photography right at your location. Instead of using generic stock photos, you’ll have real images of your business, team, and services.

You can take photos and submit them to any company, regardless of whether they are local or not. However, there’s a good chance that you and the agency will be misaligned regarding layout, composition, or other elements of the photographs. That’s a problem that requires follow-up photo shoots to fix.

A local firm can be on-site during the photography session. They will collaborate with your team to ensure they capture perfect shots the first time. Adding behind-the-scenes photos to your site is a game-changer for building trust and credibility.

Comparing Local Web Page Designers vs. Other Options

There are plenty of options out there for creating a business website. Each approach has some pros and cons. Here’s a look at them so you can make an informed decision.

Local vs. Big Agencies

Big agencies offer more resources and staff. They typically have a specialist (or several) for everything. While that can be appealing, they may treat smaller businesses as “just another client.” After all, your account simply doesn’t bring in as much value as a larger organization’s.

With a local team, you’ll receive personalized and responsive service from day one. They are invested in your long-term success because their future depends on it. If you thrive, they win a long-time client and a positive reputation.

Local vs. Freelancers

Freelancers are a budget-friendly option in a pinch. However, you can’t always reach some freelancers consistently. Unfortunately, finding a good freelancer can take some trial and error. The best freelancers are in such high demand that they may not be available when you need them most.

Local agencies provide consistent support and creativity. They are accountable and will show up when you need them most.

Local vs. In-House

Thinking about hiring an in-house person to handle web design? This can be a good fit for some companies. However, you need enough room in your budget to justify the recurring cost. Even if you have the budget, hiring one person might not be adequate.

That means you may have to circle back to one of the other options to augment the capabilities of the in-house employee.

Local vs. DIY Websites

Thinking about trying your hand at DIY website building using a platform like Wix or Squarespace? These sites are easy to set up, but limited in design, performance, and long-term scalability. To move past basic templates, you’ll need some intermediate coding skills and creativity. Oh, and you’ll need time to devote to the project.

Local designers can create a custom, professional, optimized site built to attract and convert customers. They will bring your vision to life.

Accountability and Long-Term Support

One of the biggest frustrations business owners face with non-local options is a lack of accountability. A freelancer may disappear. A big agency may move you to a new account manager every few months. But with local web designers near me, you know exactly who is behind your site.

When you work with a local team, they’re accountable to their community and reputation. They want to see your business succeed because your success reflects on their work. This commitment fosters long-term relationships where your website continues to evolve with your company.

Should You Hire a Local Website Designer?

If you’re weighing your options for a new website, you might wonder if going local is the right choice. Local experts bring unique advantages. They understand your community and are available for face-to-face collaboration. And, they have a vested interest in your success.

To decide what works best for you, start by asking yourself these questions:

Do I value being able to meet my designer in person when needed?
How important is it for my designer to understand the local market and customer base?
Will I benefit from a partner who can also visit my business for on-site photos or content creation?
Do I prefer a long-term relationship with a trusted local company that’s connected to the community?
Am I looking for quick, clear communication without time zone delays?
Would supporting another local business align with my company’s values?

If you believe a local firm is a great fit and you are located in the Chicago, IL, area, Frontier Marketing has got you covered.

Frontier Marketing: Local Web Designers Near Me

Frontier Marketing provides bespoke digital marketing solutions to businesses throughout Chicago, Illinois. Our team is here to save you time, take the stress off your plate, and fuel your growth.