Web agency or in-house? What's right for your business?

Web design: Should you choose an external agency or build your own in-house team?

For technical B2B companies with growth ambitions, digital presence isn't just important - it's business critical. Your website is often your first meeting with potential customers, partners and talent. That's why web design and the entire user experience on your site is crucial to being perceived as a credible and attractive player.

But how do you get the best results when it comes to web design? Should you work with a specialised digital agency or is it better to build an in-house team that can develop and maintain your digital platforms?

Let's dive into the pros, cons and key considerations of both approaches - and find out what makes the most sense for you and your business.

What do you get with a digital agency?

A digital agency - such as ours - brings a wide range of skills and experience to the table. You don't just get a single designer or developer, but a unified team working together to deliver solutions that get results.

• Experience from many industries: Agencies have worked for different types of clients and industries. That experience can be invaluable when it comes to new thinking.
• Up-to-date knowledge and technology: An agency works daily with the latest trends and technologies. This means you get solutions that are future-proof.
• Scalability: If you have many projects - or some that require special expertise - you can quickly access specialists without having to hire.
• Clear structure and project management: Agencies think in terms of processes, deadlines and deliverables. This ensures progress and quality.

For tech companies that want to stand out in the market and differentiate themselves with a strong digital brand, working with a digital agency can give them a pretty big head start.

But what does it cost?

The price of a digital agency may seem high - especially compared to an in-house hire. But it's important to look at what you're actually getting:

• Access to designers, UX specialists, front-end and back-end developers, copywriters and digital strategists
• Projects that are guided safely to completion - without you having to spend time on it
• Insights into data and user behaviour that can be converted into concrete improvements and growth

Over time and with a focus on results, it can actually be a more effective investment than building an internal team.

The internal team - more control, but also more responsibility

The alternative to working with an agency is to build an in-house web team. This typically means hiring designers, UXers and developers to work exclusively for your business.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Closer collaboration: Your internal employees understand the business in depth and can react quickly to changes.
• Full control over processes and prioritisation: You decide what needs to be done - and when.
• Long-term competence building: If you have a large tech product, it may make sense to build in-house expertise.

...but what about the disadvantages?

An internal team requires more than just hiring.

• You will lead the team - providing ongoing development, motivation and direction.
• It can lack the creative inspiration and broad experience that agencies bring to the table.
• It's hard to have all competences in-house - especially if you rarely launch major web projects.

And last but not least, it's worth considering whether you have the internal resources and digital maturity to manage a creative team effectively?

A question of timing and strategy

For many organisations, it's not an either-or proposition. It's more about where you are in your journey - and what you need right now.

Consider a digital agency if...

• You need to launch a new website or major updates to existing platforms
• You need to position yourself digitally and create visibility and leads
• You want access to specialists without long recruitment processes
• You will ensure quality and progress with a focus on results

Consider an internal team if...

• Your product is digital and the team contributes directly to the core business
• You have the budget and time to build and manage a team over time
• You want full flexibility and control over workflows

Find a hybrid model that fits your business

More and more companies are choosing a hybrid solution, combining the best of both worlds.

For example, the in-house team may take care of daily maintenance and small optimisations, while the larger agency works with the overall design, IA (information architecture) and business-critical solutions.

This provides flexibility while ensuring access to high creativity and broad experience when it really counts.

What should you ask yourself?

To find the right solution, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the goal of our digital presence?
• Do we need specialised skills that we don't have today?
• How much time and energy will we invest internally on the digital front?
• What role should the website play in our growth?

You don't necessarily have to choose one over the other. But you should choose consciously. A well-chosen partnership with an agency can accelerate your growth. A strong internal team can anchor your digital vision deeper in your organisation. Often, the truth is that you get the best results if you manage to combine the two.

We're not just designers, we're your digital partners

We are a digital agency that understands your tech business. We help B2B companies with +20 employees and over €10 million in revenue turn complex products and solutions into digital experiences that create value.

We don't just make beautiful websites. We work with strategy, UX, conversion and data. We're used to working with technical profiles and decision makers - and we know how to make a difference digitally.

If you're not sure what to choose - or how to get started - get in touch with us. We're happy to share our experience and help you make the right strategy.