But which one do you choose? A local web design company that comes up high in organic search results, or a web design company at the other end of the country that has a paid advert at the top of your internet search results? How do you go actually go about making your decision?

You know you need a web design company, but choosing the best for your business will be based on multiple factors including whether they are local or not.

Why choose a local web designer?

There are many reasons why “buying local” has advantages and for some this will be a major part of the decision making process, but in reality it’s very subjective and comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

Any web designer worth their salt should be able to work with you, via email, telephone or Skype, no matter where they’re based. At Midas Creative, we regularly work on website projects with clients from right across the UK and internationally, getting the website you want shouldn’t really matter whether your website designer is geographically based.

Advantages of using a local web designer

1) Face-to-face communication

For some people, face-to-face meetings are how they prefer to do business. If you’re local then this is obviously easy. You can arrange to sit down and discuss everything you want, bring along any ideas and documents and really get a good feel for your local website developer. This becomes a little more tricky if you’re chosen website designer is 500 miles away.

2) Understanding the local market

If your business is selling products and services locally then working with a local website company can bring added benefits. They should know what the area is like and who your potential customers are likely to be. This first hand knowledge can help position your website to the right audience.

3) Local testimonials and references

By using a local web designer they will probably have a many local customers and websites which they have designed. This can be an advantage as you’ll be able to see for who and what they have designed and even contact your web designer’s clients directly to get some honest, unbiased feedback. You will also be able to ask other people and businesses that you know if they have heard of any local web design companies that are great to work with. Word of mouth becomes very difficult if you’re not both based in the same location.

4) Business networking with your local web designer

What’s also great about working with a local web designer is that they are already established and known well within the local area by other businesses. You’ll be able to build local relationships and help each other out through networking opportunities when they come along. We have had several clients in the past that we have recommended to other clients and won them additional work, likewise we have built many websites on these recommendations from our clients too.

Other factors will need to be taken into consideration when choosing a web designer such as price, skill and timelines but working locally may bring additional benefits to your next website project if that works for you.