Talk to a few business owners – or even web designers who work with clients around a city or region – and you’ll run into some big disagreements about whether location matters. That is, some think it doesn’t matter whether a web designer and a client are a block away or world apart. Others think it’s at least preferable to contact a local web design studio if you can.
I tend to fall into the second category. I don’t think it’s strictly necessary for you to find a web design studio in your neighborhood, but it can help the process move along more quickly and smoothly. Based on my own experiences, here are a few of the reasons why…
A Local Web Design Studio Will be Easier to Work With
The closer to home your web design studio is, the more you’re going to have in common with the creative team that’s building your site. That’s not a small issue, particularly if you need to explain intensive details, appeal to buyers in your region, or have them visit your business.
It’s easy to forget how much time and frustration factors into the web design process until your project takes longer than it should, or you and your creative team can’t seem to get on the same page. Choosing a local studio is a good way to save yourself some stress.
You’ll Have Fewer Communication Issues With a Local Web Design Studio
Aside from the general familiarity issues I referred to in the first point, the fact of the matter are, it’s easier to communicate with a local web design studio than it is one that’s far away. Different languages, time zones, and customs can all present challenges as distances increase, and so can the technical factors involved.
It’s easy to pick up a phone or stop by for a chat with the team at your local web design studio. It’s far less convenient to stay up in the middle of the night so you can try to reach a designer to provide feedback.
A Local Web Design Studio Has Incentives to Keep You Happy
This is a point a lot of business owners miss. When you work with a local web design studio, they have every desire to make sure you’re satisfied. For one thing, they’re hoping you’ll introduce them to friends and colleagues. And for another, you might leave reviews that can be seen by new potential clients in the neighborhood.
On the other hand, when your web design studio is far away, they can ignore any complaints or negative feedback you submit. The relationship doesn’t necessarily have the same weight, since they aren’t likely to run into you at a social function or professional gathering. That doesn’t mean a web designer from far away won’t want you to be satisfied with their work, just that they don’t have as much riding on the outcome.
I may or may not have convinced you to work with a local web design studio, but I hope you’ll consider these points when deciding who should build your next website. You might be able to save a little bit of money in the short term by finding a company halfway around the globe, but you’re probably going to pay a bigger price in the long run.