Top Website Development Companies in Washington, DC

What is web development outsourcing?

Web development outsourcing involves businesses hiring agencies to work with project managers and strategic marketing experts to build and create websites and web applications that support a client’s overall business goals. A talented web developer leverages multiple programming and frameworks to create a seamless, user-focused experience. 

Web development agencies fulfill various services related to creating, managing, and maintaining digital assets. Some of these are:

• Web design: Agencies build sites that focus on visual appeal and aesthetics, improving the user experience and user interface (UX/UI) to enhance overall ease-of-use.

• Web development: Development companies provide support across the client side of the project (front-end) and server-side data management and site architecture (back-end).

• Security and Integration: Skilled developers are able to build cybersecurity solutions and integration into websites that create a cohesive and secure foundation of digital assets.

• Website maintenance: Agencies use monitoring tools to track site performance; this performance data can then be used to make site improvements and add new features.

• Search engine optimization: Web developers support SEO improvements to improve site reach and brand visibility.

• eCommerce support: Developers understand the technical requirements of building eCommerce solutions for brands seeking to establish a web presence to sell products.

• Content management system: Developers can build custom CMS solutions or manage existing CMS plugins and modules on the websites they build, as well as help to manage and update the site content.

What are the different types of website development?

Web development can be viewed from two perspectives. The first is what methodologies are used to manage a development project, while the second is what functional level of the website the developer is most focused on.

Development methodologies

There are a number of software development methodologies that agencies leverage to keep projects organized and on budget. Major methodologies include:

• DevOps development ensures the final project is evolving over time to best meet user needs. The “dev” phase involves coding, building, testing, and deploying the website. The “ops” phase monitors website performance and uses the data to inform the team where improvements should be made. DevOps reduces time to market and increases the speed at which developers can address bugs or flaws.

• DevSecOps introduces security best practices early in the DevOps development cycle to create a more security-focused final deliverable that provides users with a safe and stable experience.

• Agile development, including Scrum, extreme programming (XP), and feature-driven development (FDD), is an iterative developmental approach that minimizes risk, reduces the number of bugs in the final deliverable, and focuses on adding new features and functionality.

• Waterfall development is a slower, sequential approach to software development that follows a linear sequence of phases: requirements, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance.

• Rapid application development (RAD) is a four-phase process that produces a high-quality, low-cost system. Phases include requirements, user design, and construction, followed by a cutover phase that prepares the product for launch. The user design and construction phases are repeated iteratively to work out design flaws and ensure the product meets user expectations.  

Functional approaches to website development

Digging a little deeper into the services web development agencies provide, website developers tackle building functionality and features for their client’s websites based on whether they are focusing on client-facing features, server-side elements, or both.

Front-end development

Front-end development involves translating the intended look of the site created by web designers using wireframing software tools into a working website. The visuals come to life using code languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and sometimes Python and are then enhanced by graphic designers. 

Front-end developers bridge the gap between designers and clients by building the front-end interface from scratch using code languages or templates from existing open-source or content management systems, like WordPress or Wix. These tools allow developers to combine a drag-and-drop interface with the ability to modify the code to create flexible sites that appear to be more customized than they actually are.

Back-end development

Back-end developers ensure that the software, servers, and database components of the website are in working order. This includes user management, membership, customer records, and other data-driven functions. For example, if you have a website that is driven by users who log in to check an account, the back-end developer ensures that any data associated with the user is coded correctly. Back-end development is accomplished through the use of database languages like SQL, Ruby, and C#.

Full-stack development

If a client is creating a website from scratch or needs a major overhaul, they are likely to hire a web design studio with a team of full-stack developers. These developers are skilled in both front-end and back-end website development. Full-stack developers are also typically versed in connecting your website to other web servers, such as those hosted by Amazon, sites, or social media platforms through the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) or plugins. 

What are the benefits of outsourcing web development?

There are some definite advantages to outsourcing your web development to a studio that specializes in building and managing websites versus hiring and maintaining an in-house team or using a software-based development platform. Hiring a third-party web development agency has the following benefits:

Saves time and resources

Hiring an in-house developer and licensing the necessary software tools for website development requires extensive time and resources. Agencies specializing in web development and other marketing and software development services can spread the costs of both staffing and development tools across their client base. 

This makes using a service provider or freelancer an affordable alternative for small-and-midsize-businesses that don’t maintain an in-house staff with the necessary skill set to design a website properly.

Provides a scalable solution

A static website can do tremendous damage to an organization’s online credibility and reputation. Web content should be maintained regularly to remain relevant and informative. Similarly, website functionality should evolve with a business's growth, ensuring that the website offers the intended customer experience. 

While a small business might struggle to find the bandwidth to keep up with website maintenance, a contracted studio provides a scalable dedicated resource to their client’s website design and upkeep.

Allows you to focus on core businesses

One of the primary challenges in devoting resources to an in-house web development solution is that doing so diverts valuable bandwidth away from a business’s ability to focus on core business tasks. There’s also no guarantee that over time an in-house developer will be able to develop and maintain the skills and expertise to keep up with modern website development needs.

Agencies employ top-tier web development talent to ensure the websites and web applications they build for their clients adhere to cutting-edge design standards. By absorbing the design and management of web-focused tasks, companies can redirect their internal staffing and resources to generate and convert leads and drive profitable activities.

Agencies’ post-launch support services keep websites functional and up-to-date

A web development studio’s work isn’t finished once a website launches. Clients will have feedback about the user experience that can be used to inform the service provider how to improve their product to better meet a client’s needs. Ever-evolving web technologies, search engine optimization requirements, and content management needs can all be handled under a post-launch contract with clients to ensure websites remain secure, functional, and updated, especially in the event that a client doesn’t have the internal resources to perform these activities. 

How do web developers charge for their services?

A web development company's pricing is based on the rates the service provider has in place for specific web development tasks and the website platform a client’s project requires. For example, should the developer and client choose to host a website on an open-source platform like WordPress, then there are standard costs with that platform. However, the bulk of costs will come from the services provided by the studio itself. 

There are a number of cost structures for developing websites offered by agencies, depending on the services they are contracted to perform. The three most common models are:

• Hourly rate charges are for short-term projects with a limited scope. Hourly rates are also applied to maintenance agreements and the creation of basic websites with little advanced functionality. 

• Flat-rate pricing is used for projects with a broader scope. The pricing estimate is established up front through a client consultation and laid out according to the project management plan that includes setup, code creation, training on how to update and maintain content, and additional maintenance and design as needed. 

• Retainers, often paid monthly, secure the studio’s services long-term and ensure the client has access to ongoing development and maintenance needs. 

Dynamic websites requiring regular updates and ongoing development of features and maintenance will often come at an initial flat-rate cost, with additional services offered on either a retainer or hourly basis, depending on the scope and complexity of those services. 

Website development is often offered alongside other software development services in larger agencies, so it’s common to see value-based and performance-based pricing models for certain web development projects that are focused on deliverables and performance. 

How to choose the right website development company

Before choosing a website development company, businesses have some pre-work that needs to be accomplished to streamline the decision making process. The most important preparatory step is that the leadership team should establish a realistic budget and work to understand the scope of the website you’re looking to build as well as how involved your team needs to be in order to ensure your culture and mission shines through the project.  

Some other questions your organization needs to address in the decision making process help to determine if the web development studio aligns with your organization’s needs. Are they experienced in your industry niche and do they align with the culture that you have in place? Are their prices in line with your budget? Does their development methodology allow for open communication and feedback throughout the development process? 

With these concerns in mind, your company should follow these basic steps when exploring which website development company best suits your needs.

• Take advantage of free or low-cost consultations with agencies to determine what your website requirements include. Do you need a site capable of handling eCommerce, bookings, and client management, or do you need a specific layout or number of pages? 

• Establish a budget and inquire about each studio’s project and hourly rates, as well as which other pricing models are in use.

• Explore each company’s portfolio to determine if their past work is in line with the type of website you need built. Do they have the technical expertise to handle your project?

• Ensure that agencies you’re considering working with have a positive reputation by exploring their reviews online and contacting previous clients to learn about their experiences.

• Determine what communication standards the contracted service provider in question has in place, which development model they use to build and deploy software, and what security standards are standard-built into their websites.