Why Relationships Matter Between Design Agencies and Clients

Your e-commerce site is one of your business’ most valuable assets. Would you entrust it to just anyone? We didn’t think so. When it comes to site overhauls, the default is often to outsource to an external agency for a quick — and transactional — redesign. But that approach won’t always get you the results you’re looking for.

A great agency can be more than just an outsourced team — they can become a valuable partner. A partnership with synergy, trust, and loyalty sets the stage for a long-term relationship that is mutually beneficial for both parties.

You’ll be safe in the hands of a team that already has a full understanding of who you are and your business’s specific needs every step of the way — leading to better outcomes for your business. Crucially, this also means that you’ll avoid re-starting the search and onboarding process (which is timely and costly) each time you begin a new website project.

That’s why here at Elevate, we approach things a little differently. We believe in working closely with clients to cultivate a long-term partnership that is about so much more than just your website — it’s about showing your brand to the world. We’ve been engaged by many of our clients on a long-term basis, including some we’ve partnered with for well over a decade.

We view building a strong relationship with clients as key to producing a site that exceeds expectations and continues to serve your business in the long-run. Here are five reasons why:

• Long-Term Partners

  The launch of your new site is only the beginning. That’s why working with an agency that is in it for the long-haul alongside you is so important.

  An agency’s scope can span the discovery, design, development, launch, and post-launch phases of a site redesign. As such, your site isn’t approached as a one-time project, but as a regularly changing element of your entire marketing ecosystem.

  During your project engagement, your design agency will come to intimately understand who you are as a brand, how you like things done, and how you work. This synergy builds trust and is so invaluable when it comes to longer term website projects.

• Guaranteed Quality

  When you approach an external development or design team, you can’t always guarantee the quality of their work. This is especially the case for agencies that advertise their services as fast and affordable. You may find that your site is built with low-quality code or doesn’t function as well as it should.

  On the other hand, working with a more unified agency guarantees you the quality that your brand needs to succeed. A digital agency that specializes in e-commerce design does more than just develop and deliver you a website. They become an extension of your team, working with you all the way through strategy, design, development, and launch. Though they might charge a premium price, you know that your investment will continue to pay-off when the site exceeds your expectations and actually launches on time.

• Synergy & Teamwork

  Website redesigns are often not a one-time, one-sided transaction. They require a detailed strategy, design, and development process, followed by ongoing support and optimization. All that requires a partnership between the brand and their design agency.

  That being said, there is a critical balance to be found. You don’t want to work with an external team that requires constant hand-holding. That’s why collaborating with experts who are able to guide you through the design process, listen to and expand upon your ideas, and then execute them with high-caliber precision is so important.

  Further, working with an agency that encompasses more than just designers and developers, but marketers too, will give you the all-rounded perspective you need to build out a site that ticks all the boxes.

• Support & Peace of Mind

  A site redesign is a big investment. The last thing you want is to feel worried or unsure about your decision to hire an outside firm. Working with an agency that proactively makes you feel supported and valued throughout the process will give you the critical peace of mind you deserve — meaning you can actually enjoy the ride.

  Plus, when you work with an agency that is invested in getting you the results you want, there’ll be open lines of communication for feedback and discussion when you’re not satisfied. They should feel comfortable bringing new ideas to you and telling you when things aren’t working, and likewise, you should feel confident in expressing any concerns to your agency.

• Your Business Deserves It

  Lastly, your team deserves a partner that you can trust and rely upon. You approach your work with integrity and pride, and you should have a website partner that goes above and beyond to do the same.

  Your website is one of the most valuable assets your brand has. The agency you choose should take that responsibility seriously, taking the time to get to know you, your brand, your business goals, and your vision for the site. Only with that can your new site perform and meet your needs.