After a new client hires us, I usually ask them if the age of our business influenced their decision. As it turns out, about half of our clients say it did.
That makes sense. For many small business owners, investing in a new website is a significant financial commitment and can become a critical tool for their company’s growth. So, knowing that the web design company they are about to hire has been around long enough to have a proven track record is an understandable consideration.
So, should it actually matter how long a web design company has been in business?
The short answer is yes, it matters, but it shouldn’t be your only deciding factor. Being in business longer generally indicates a level of business stability, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee a good result. To make the best choice for your company, you need to understand what a web design agency’s age tells you and what it doesn’t.
What a Web Design Company’s Longevity Actually Buys You
When it comes to web design, many freelance businesses and smaller web design firms launch every year, only to close shop within a few years. When a web design company has been in business for five, ten, or fifteen years, that track record can offer several advantages to a small business owner.
Operational Stability
They are more likely to be around later when you need support.
Experience
The company has years of experience dealing with different types of projects and problems.
Established Process
A company that’s been around longer has likely developed a more efficient way of managing projects.
Accountability
A long-standing reputation is something an established web design company has worked hard to build, giving it a reason to provide good communication and service.
The Hidden Risks of Hiring an Older Web Design Company
While being in business for a long time can provide peace of mind, it doesn’t automatically mean a company is the right fit for your business. In some cases, an older web design company can have its own drawbacks, especially if it has become too comfortable with the way it has always done things.
The Risk of Falling Behind
The web changes quickly. The way websites are designed, built, and used today is very different from how they were built even a few years ago.
Some web design companies that have been around for a long time may continue doing things the way they’ve always done them. They may rely on older website tools or design approaches that don’t provide the best experience for today’s website visitors.
For example, a modern website needs to work well on phones, load quickly, be easy to use, and meet today’s expectations for accessibility and design. A company’s age doesn’t guarantee that it has kept up with those changes.
You May End Up Paying More
As a web design company grows, its costs often grow too. It may have a larger office, more employees, sales staff, account managers, and other expenses that a smaller company doesn’t have.
Those costs have to be paid somehow, and they can show up in what you pay for your website.
That doesn’t necessarily mean a larger, older company isn’t worth the money. But as a small business owner, you should make sure you’re paying more for better service and better results, not simply because a company has been around longer or is larger.
Why Younger Web Design Firms May Appeal to Small Businesses
You shouldn’t automatically dismiss a web design company just because it opened its doors a year or two ago. Newer web design companies can offer some unique advantages that may be a better fit for your business.
Keeping Up With Technology
Newer web developers may be more familiar with some of the latest website tools and approaches. This can help them build websites that load quickly, work well, and are secure.
Competitive, Flexible Pricing
Newer web design companies are often eager to establish themselves and build a strong portfolio of local clients. As a result, they may offer more competitive pricing, flexible payment options, or other incentives that make it easier for a small business to get started.
Greater Personal Attention
When you work with a younger, smaller web design firm, you may have direct access to the founders or lead designers working on your project. Because every client is important to a growing company, you may receive a level of attention that can be harder to find from a larger company.
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