Hiring a Web Design Agency Versus an In-House Specialist: What Should You Do?

In this article, we'll explore the differences between hiring a web design agency versus an in-house specialist and what you should do

By Claudio Pires
Updated on July 27, 2025
Hiring a Web Design Agency Versus an In-House Specialist: What Should You Do?

The decision to hire a web design agency versus an in-house specialist is not always easy. Many factors come into play when making this decision. But one thing that might be overlooked is your company’s data security.  In this article, we’ll explore the differences between hiring a web design agency versus an in-house specialist and what you should do.

So, if your data is at risk, what can you do? Hire an in-house expert to take care of the infrastructure. Or work closely with a web design agency for new projects

Finding experts will help make sure that there is no sensitivity. Or hackable information on your devices, thus avoiding the chance for a cyber attack. But how do you tell if your company needs an in-house expert of a web design agency?

In Philadelphia, companies are majoring in web design and development. Some offer appealing tailored solutions depending on the nature of your website needs. So, we need to see the house specialist and the hiring of

Agency vs. In-House at a Glance

CriteriaWeb Design AgencyIn-House Designer
Cost predictabilityProject-based or retainer pricingMonthly salary + benefits
Speed of deliveryFast for scoped projectsCan be slow if overtasked
Access to skillsFull team: branding, coding, SEO, UIOne person—may lack full-stack design skills
ScalabilityEasy to scale for big launchesLimited capacity
Internal collaborationLess involved in daily company cultureWorks alongside your marketing/dev teams
InnovationExposure to trends across industriesMay lack outside influence
Best forRebrands, launches, full-site redesignsOngoing design needs, product growth support

Hiring a Web Design Agency

In Philadelphia, companies are majoring in web design and development. Some offer appealing tailored solutions depending on the nature of your website needs. So, we need to see the house specialist and the hiring of

The website gurus at The 215 Guys elaborate on what makes the website functional and safe. Hiring an agency will also save you from hiring an in-house team of designers. Who might not have enough experience with your industry.

Hiring a web design agency can be a great choice if you’re just getting started with your website. So, you don’t have the time, patience, or expertise to handle the design yourself. 

It could also save you money in the long run because agencies will often offer competitive pricing. However, it’s essential to be aware of what your needs are before reaching out. To an agency so that you can choose one that fits your goals.

You can also choose to hire an in-house web design agency. In this case, you’ll need a team of professionals who have experience with the industry. So, will be able to handle your day-to-day business operations. You’ll, of course, have to invest time and money into training the employees.

Hiring an In-House Specialist

Hiring an in-house specialist can be the best choice for you if you’re already experienced. With web design or have a specific vision in mind. 

If you lack the time, skillset, or patience to handle the design of your website on your own, hiring an in-house specialist will be a good solution. The downside is that this will often come at a higher price.

An in-house specialist will be able to work directly with your team. So, help secure your data so that it’s not susceptible to cyber attacks.

And when they create your website. They’ll be able to use all of their experience and knowledge when creating it so that it fits well within your business needs. They can also help you with ongoing website maintenance to keep it secure.

However, an in-house expert will come at a higher price than hiring an agency. So this choice isn’t always the most practical when you’re working with a limited budget. But if there’s one thing, keeping your business data safe from cyber attacks is worth the extra expense.

How to Make the Right Decision for Your Business

Ask These Questions: Hiring a Web Design Agency Versus an In-House Specialist: What Should You Do?

  1. How complex is the website?
    If it includes e-commerce, membership, or app integrations, agency experience might be essential.
  2. What’s our internal design maturity?
    If your team has no design process, an agency can set the bar.
  3. What’s our budget and timeline?
    For immediate results and a defined project, agency. For ongoing value, in-house.
  4. Do we have developers ready to collaborate?
    In-house design shines when it works closely with development. Agencies often come bundled with devs, saving hiring hassle.
  5. How important is brand innovation?
    If your brand must break out of a saturated market, external creativity helps disrupt the noise.

Red Flags to Avoid in Either Scenario

  • Agencies that won’t share their portfolio or rush the discovery process
  • In-house candidates without a UX process or responsive design knowledge
  • Lack of clarity on revision limits, handoff process, or ownership of design files
  • Overpromising timelines without realistic milestones

What About a Hybrid Approach?

Some businesses opt for a middle ground:

  • Hire an agency for branding and initial site design
  • Keep an in-house designer to manage updates, A/B testing, and content changes
  • Use freelancers for peak workloads or specific assets (e.g., email templates)

This hybrid strategy gives you flexibility and creative diversity while keeping internal alignment.

The Benefits of Hiring a Web Design Agency vs. In-House Specialist

There are both standard and emotional benefits which come with this. The Standard benefits are; time-saving by not having to hire an in-house team and tailored options. On the other hand, the emotional benefit makes workers feel more confident and secure about your company’s data.

Hiring a web design agency versus an in-house specialist: What should you do? The decision to hire a web design agency versus an in-house specialist is not always easy. Many factors come into play when making this decision, but one thing that might be overlooked is your company’s data security. 

So if your data is at risk, what can you do? Hire an in-house expert to take care of the infrastructure or work closely with a web design agency for new projects. Finding experts will help make sure that there is no sensitive or hackable information on your devices. Thus avoiding the chance for a cyber attack.

Claudio Pires

Claudio Pires is the co-founder of Visualmodo, a renowned company in web development and design. With over 15 years of experience, Claudio has honed his skills in content creation, web development support, and senior web designer. A trilingual expert fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, he brings a global perspective to his work. Beyond his professional endeavors, Claudio is an active YouTuber, sharing his insights and expertise with a broader audience. Based in Brazil, Claudio continues to push the boundaries of web design and digital content, making him a pivotal figure in the industry.