What to Expect When Hiring a Web Design Agency in Seattle: A Small Business Guide
- Rebecca Doreen
- May 5
- 3 min read
Hiring a web design agency sounds simple until you're staring at five open tabs, each promising "custom websites" and "conversion-focused design."
If you're a small business owner in Seattle, you’ve likely reached the point where a DIY site or a dated template just doesn’t cut it anymore. So how do you separate the pros from the polished talkers? And what should the process actually look like?
This guide breaks down what it really means to work with a web design agency, what you should expect along the way, and how to make sure the agency you choose is the right fit for your business.
What a Web Design Agency Actually Does
Let's start with the obvious. Yes, a web design agency will design your site. But if they’re any good, that’s not all they do. Great agencies build digital experiences that make sense for your brand, your audience, and your goals.
That includes:
Structuring your content so it’s easy to navigate
Designing interfaces that feel intentional and cohesive
Making sure everything works across devices
Thinking about how the site supports your positioning and drives inquiries
It’s the difference between getting a pretty homepage and getting a website that pulls its weight.
What the Process Should Look Like
If you’ve never worked with a web design agency before, here’s a breakdown of how the process usually flows when done properly:
1. Discovery and Alignment: This is where the agency learns about your business, your audience, and your goals. At Pyxis, we ask questions that get to the root of what your website actually needs to accomplish.
2. Sitemap and Wireframing: Once there’s alignment, the agency creates a blueprint of your site. This includes the structure, page hierarchy, and rough layout of each page.
3. Visual Design: Now it gets pretty. But it’s not just about aesthetics. Every design decision should ladder up to what was uncovered during discovery.
4. Development: Designs are turned into a functioning website. This includes responsive behavior, animations, and CMS setup if applicable.
5. QA and Launch: The site gets tested across browsers and devices. Bugs are fixed. Pages are polished. Then it’s launch time.
6. Post-Launch Support A good agency won’t ghost you after go-live. Whether it’s training your team or handling updates, there should be a clear plan for what happens next.
Want to see how we approach this? Explore our process →
How to Know If an Agency Is the Right Fit
Beyond the portfolio, there are questions worth asking before you sign anything:
Who will actually be working on my site? Are they in-house or freelancers?
Will the site be custom or based on a template? If it’s a template, why?
How involved will I be throughout the project?
What happens after launch?
If answers feel vague, rushed, or full of buzzwords, that’s a red flag. The best agencies won’t just answer your questions. They’ll ask better ones back.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
Here’s what most small businesses really want to know. For a boutique agency, custom websites typically range from $7,000 to $25,000. That spread depends on scope, complexity, number of pages, and whether you’re pairing web with branding or copywriting.
If someone’s quoting $1,500 for a “custom site,” you’re likely looking at a template and minimal QA. That might be fine for your needs, but it won’t get you a long-lasting foundation.
We don’t pitch websites as expenses. They’re infrastructure. If you rely on your website to bring in leads, then investing in a clean, high-performing site isn’t optional. It’s just smart.
Why Seattle Small Businesses Work With Pyxis
We’re not a factory. We’re a boutique team that works closely with each client to design websites that reflect who they are and where they’re going. Our clients aren’t looking for volume. They’re looking for precision, intention, and craft.
We design and build everything in-house. Our process is transparent. And we keep you involved without making you manage us.
If you're based in Seattle and want a web design partner who takes the time to get it right, let’s talk.
