You know your company needs a website.

You might already have one. But is it helping your bottom line?

After a few years, many business leaders realize that “if you build it, they will come” just doesn’t cut it. No matter if you need a website refresh or an all-new website, it’s crucial to start with a website design that incorporates a solid vision for marketing, SEO, and growth. Without that, a website is nothing more than a fancy brochure.

When it’s time to take the plunge on a website refresh, you have three main options to choose from:

• A website-only company (usually referred to as a website designer).
• A website design freelancer (usually just one person, not a full team).
• A marketing agency that offers website design in its service portfolio.

Of the three, a marketing agency might seem like the biggest commitment. But looks can be deceiving. Not only can you save money, but you’ll get more of what you want with less work. Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to consider a marketing agency when you need a website design:

1. Your Website and Your Marketing Plan Will Work Together

With a “website only” company, you’re paying a premium to get a product that looks good. The designers at a company like this are less interested in how the website impacts your goals. They just want to make sure it will look sharp enough for you to be convinced their fee was money well spent.

A marketing agency gives you a good-looking website, but there’s a whole lot more going on under the hood. Since the agency usually produces a complete marketing plan at the same time, the website designers on the team know exactly how the website should perform to help you reach your long-term objectives.

Even the best website won’t have an impact on your marketing metrics right away. It needs to be cultivated. The website itself needs to be promoted and your audience needs to realize it offers helpful and informative content. That takes time, but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It works best with a marketing plan in place.

2. Your Website Will Be Built to Produce Real, Consistent Value

How do you know if a website is a success? It’s about more than just getting eyes on your product. A successful website is one that gives your users a smooth, seamless experience so they can accomplish their goals as they deepen their relationship with your brand. That requires thinking things through from a customer’s viewpoint.

Freelance website designers and the rest don’t have the time or training for that. A marketing agency, on the other hand, brings years of experience with similar businesses catering to similar audiences. That allows them to fine-tune the website experience for a branded, smoother user experience across the entire website.

That means users spend less time searching for information and more time taking action, following the trail of breadcrumbs that lead them through your funnel. To truly influence behavior, an agency-designed website is your best bet.

3. You’ll Enjoy a True “Done for You” Website Design Experience

What happens when you hire a freelancer or even a website-only company to do your website design? In many cases, you end up with more work to do. You now have to manage, motivate, and lead a person or a group with little investment in your success or engagement with what you really want.

That’s anything but convenient. It can lead to uneven, unpredictable results. Cost overruns and missed deadlines are the norm. By the time you do squash all the communication problems, the project is over.

With an agency, you won’t have to worry about all of the overhead that comes with wrangling freelance website design professionals. Instead, it’s all done for you. By combining vision and execution in a cohesive whole, a good agency strives toward its objectives without any micromanagement from you.

3.5. You Can Get Started Right Now with New York Ave

At New York Ave, we get things started right by understanding you, your business, and where you want it to go from here. As a full-service marketing agency, we understand that marketing tactics alone are nothing without the strategy to back them up. That’s even more important when it comes to your company website.

Your website isn’t an afterthought: It can be the centerpiece of your marketing strategy. Don’t settle for something that looks good, but won’t move the needle. Contact us to find out more or get started today.