As a business owner, you know how important first impressions and a good user experience are for getting more clients. Yet, you don’t have the skills and time to do it yourself, and we already know that outsourcing is up to 88% cheaper than hiring an in-house designer. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about outsourcing user interface and experience, including the benefits.
Definitions:
What is User Interface Design?
User interface (UI) design is making software products like websites and apps easier to use. The goal is to make the user’s interaction with the product simple and efficient while also making it look pretty. User interface design is the process of making interface elements like menus, buttons, icons, and other graphic elements. It also uses typography, color, and other elements of visual design to make an interface that looks good and is easy to use.
What is User Experience Design?
User experience (UX) design is the process of designing user experiences for software products. The goal of user experience design is to make a product that is fun to use and meets the needs of the user. User experience designers work with developers, marketing, and other stakeholders to make sure that the final product meets everyone’s needs.
What is the difference between UI and UX design?
The main difference between UI and UX design is that user interface design focuses on the look and feel of the product, while user experience design focuses on creating a pleasurable and easy-to-use experience for the user. Both disciplines are essential in making software products more successful.
What To Consider Before Outsourcing UI and UX?
There are several options for outsourcing UI/UX design, most commonly to agencies and freelancers. But because there are so many options, you must pick the right one.
1. Make a list of potential candidates
The first step towards outsourcing user experience design is thorough research before choosing a designer. We suggest getting recommendations from people who have either hired UI/UX design services before or have a lot of experience in this field.
You can start with our reviews and guides written by experts in the field. And since we have tried virtually every design agency and freelance platform, we have an excellent overview of which one is the best for UI and UX design. Besides our reviews, you can check out online communities like Reddit and Quora.
Agency or Freelancer?
The deciding factors in choosing either option are your budget and time. Outsourcing UI / UX design to an agency is usually more expensive, but you will have to do less work. Hiring a freelancer, on the other hand, can be twice as cheap as hiring a graphic design agency, but it requires more management, longer briefings, and you have to spend more time reviewing the work.
Some of the best graphic design agencies for UI/UX design include Awesomic and Vecteezy Studio. At the same time, great platforms for hiring freelancers are Toptal (highest quality, most expensive), 99designs (pool of designers, from cheap to expensive), Upwork, and Fiverr.
What best fits your budget and time is up to you to decide. However, our experience has shown that the results of premium services guarantee a quick ROI, while cheap freelancers can do more harm than good.
2. Check their portfolio
After you’ve chosen a few prospective clients (agencies or designers), look at their portfolios carefully to get an idea of what they can do. We recommend you review previous work samples for style and quality. If you dislike any projects that the UI/UX designer has previously worked on, cross them off your list. Therefore, choose a designer whose work you find impressive because they will most likely be able to deliver the results you want for your project.
We also recommend that you read the testimonials of their previous customers. These will provide you with unbiased opinions about the results of the UI/UX designer. If you find that most reviews or testimonials about a particular designer are negative, you should not work with them, even if their portfolio looks impressive. After all, there is usually a reason for bad reviews.
Also, be on the lookout for suspiciously high ratings, especially from agencies. I speak from experience that many companies offer discounts or other bonuses to clients who post excellent reviews on sites like Trustpilot or G2. So we have found that unbiased blog reviews are a better quality indicator.
Finally, choose the UI/UX designer with the best level of performance based on the reviews and testimonials from their customers. Also, make sure that UX/UI designers’ designs are up-to-date. If most of his work is not yet up and running, clients may not have found the designs suitable for long-term use and may have chosen another designer. By considering this, you will avoid wasting money by looking for a new designer after a few months.
3. Communication
You and the designer (or agency) must do your best to communicate successfully. There are several reasons why communication is essential when outsourcing UI/UX design:
- Sets clear expectations. Communicating your needs and wants early on will help avoid misunderstandings later and help the designer create a product that meets your expectations.
- Builds trust. If you can communicate openly with the designer, it will help build trust between you and the designer. This trust is important in any business relationship, but it is imperative in outsourcing because you entrust the designer with an important part of your business.
- Helps the designer do a better job. The better you communicate your needs, the better the designer can understand them and create a design that meets them.
- Makes the process more efficient. Good communication makes the design process more efficient by eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth between you and the designer. When you communicate effectively, you also save both yourself and the designer time and money.
So when hiring a designer or an agency, pay attention to their communication techniques. For example, a good UI/UX designer will ask you several detailed questions before they work on your project. The designer may ask you who your ideal target audience is and how your product or service will add value to your users.
4. Knowledge of current trends
As technology evolves every day, so do design trends. So, choose a UI/UX designer who is up-to-date on the latest trends so they can make an interface for your business that is up-to-date. Some of the current design trends you should ask a UI/UX designer if they have experience with are:
- 3D graphics
- Animated illustrations
- AR and VR
- Micro-interactions
The designers you choose should be able to replicate any of the above design trends upon your request.
5. Determine your budget
Before you select a UI/UX designer, determine the amount of money you will spend on the project. This involves calculating how much you can spend to get a return on the investment. Yet, this is not so easy and often requires some experience. Need help? You can get a free consultation with us.
Once you set aside a specific budget, find the best designer whose rates fall within your reach.
Benefits of outsourcing UI and UX design
There are many benefits to outsourcing UI and UX design:
- Cost savings: By outsourcing UI and UX design, businesses can save on hiring in-house designers.
- Access to worldwide talent: Outsourcing gives businesses access to a larger pool of talent than they would have access to if they only hired in-house designers.
- Flexibility: Outsourcing UI and UX design allow businesses to be more flexible with their design needs, as they can scale up or down their use of designers as needed.
- Increased efficiency: Outsourcing UI and UX design can help businesses be more efficient in their design processes, as they can tap into the expertise of designers familiar with the latest design trends and technologies.
- Improved quality: By outsourcing UI and UX design, businesses can improve the quality of their designs, as they can benefit from the expertise of up-to-date designers with the latest design trends and technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a UX project cost?
The average cost of a UX project is between $1000 and $10,000. The price range depends on the project’s complexity and the contractor’s skill level. Other factors that influence the project’s total cost include total time, whether the designer has to buy additional software, and the designer’s skill level.
How much do UX designers charge hourly?
UX designers in the United States charge about $38 to $53 per hour.
Can UX design be done remotely?
Yes. UX design can be done remotely without meeting the designer in person. But if you want the best results in the shortest amount of time, talk to the designer in a clear way. The designer needs to know about your website, so you’ll get the best results if you work with them as a team.
Are you ready for the best user experience design outsourcing? Get in touch with us today to outsource UI or UX design for your website. Call us today to talk to an expert about the next steps for your business.
About your guide
Matic Broz is a multifaceted creative professional, with experience as a photographer, graphic designer, and business owner. He has a decade of experience in helping other creatives improve their craft and start their own businesses. His writing and research have been featured in notable publications such as The Guardian, PetaPixel, and USA Today. Additionally, his scientific research has been recognized with a cover feature in the prestigious MDPI-owned journal. In his leisure time, he enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with dogs. Read more
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