UpCity LogoUpCity Logo
Who is UpCity?Get Listed!Log in
All ListsWebsite Development Companies

Top Website Development Companies

We've found the best
Website Development Companies
 for you.

Website Development Companies Hiring Guide

Need help finding the right agency? Researched by David J. Brin and edited by Tony Furnas
Choosing a website development company you can trust is no easy task, but UpCity is here to help! Browse our list of the best web development companies in the United States and make an informed decision using validated customer reviews, portfolios, awards, detailed service offerings, and more.

An expert development team needs to take many things into consideration while building your website: backend development, front-end, user experience, and the general design of your website. Building an ecommerce website? That may come with an additional set of challenges. Choose your next partner from our hand-crafted list with confidence.

UpCity offers objective, independent research and verified user reviews. We earn compensation from some providers who sign up for sponsored profiles. Learn more about our trusted providers.

Location
Any/All Available
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Any/All Available
Up to $1,000
Up to $2,500
Up to $5,000
Up to $10,000
Up to $25,000
$25,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Any/All Available
Up to $500, monthly
Up to $1,000, monthly
Up to $2,000, monthly
Up to $5,000, monthly
$5,000 or more, monthly
Industry Expertise
Any/All Available
Attorneys
Automotive
Business Services
Construction
Dental
E-Commerce
Education
Energy
Entertainment
Finance
Fitness
Food/Beverage
Government
Healthcare
Home Services
Hospitality
Industrial
Non-Profit
Politics
Real Estate
Restaurant
Retail
SaaS
Sports
Startups
Travel
Businesses provider works with
Any/All Available
Small Businesses: 1–250 employees
Medium Businesses: 251–999 employees
Enterprise Businesses: 1000+ employees
Sort by:
Sponsored
Company Name
updating list...
5,395 Provider(s)Last Updated: November 10, 2025
Expert strategic marketing firm specializing in brand development and web marketing. Woman-owned, Triad-based agency since 1991 and a specialist in helping our clients achieve their communication goals through creative, impactful design and messaging. From complete branding and strategic marketing plans to brochures, ad campaigns and web development, Boulton Creative delivers exceptional service, design and digital marketing.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$2,500 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$1,500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 7/24/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentInstagram MarketingCreative AgenciesAdvertisingBrandingView All Services (12)
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Boyce Media

Providence, RI, US See Location
Boyce Media is a Providence, Rhode Island based Creative Agency that specializes in Video Production, Web Design, Media Buying, Social Media Marketing and more.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$2,500 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 1/6/2020
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
B2B Marketing firm specializing in Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales & Distribution
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Enterprise
Provider updated information on 2/18/2020
Services Offered
Drupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Industrial
A digital marketing and platform development firm focused on growing traffic and revenue for DTC Ecommerce and large omnichannel brands. Our clients range from successful DTC start-ups to industry-leading enterprise brands including LVMH, Beam Suntory and Vingroup. We also work with large financial institutions and banks; established jewelry, beauty and apparel brands; and online marketplaces across 15+ verticals.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$5,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$2,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 7/20/2020
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentPPC
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Retail | Business Services

CQL

Grand Rapids, MI, US See Location
CQL is a digital commerce agency that creates commerce experiences and the technologies to fuel them. We couple industry-leading platforms with our unparalleled technical expertise to design and build inspiring ecommerce websites, systems, & applications.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$10,000 or more
Provider updated information on 6/2/2020
Services Offered
Java DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
How to Hire a Website Development Company | UpCity

There are a number of ways to narrow down the search for a reputable website development firm and find options that fit your business needs. Learn more in our guide.

Read Article
Small Business Websites Survey: Insights Into 2022 | UpCityRead Article
Best Website Development Tools for Your Workflow | UpCityRead Article
How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Website? | UpCityRead Article
Which is Better for Web Development, PHP or Python? | UpCityRead Article
Website Design, Logo Design and Branding
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 11/18/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Casey's Head

Ann Arbor, MI, US See Location
Every business, no matter the size, deserves professional and effective graphic design. Your customers don't simply appreciate a great design experience anymore; they expect it. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for over 20 years, I work with businesses of all sizes from all over the country. Whether you’re a startup needing a professional visual presence or an established company wanting to improve what you have, I am the award-winning freelance graphic designer you’ve been looking for.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Enterprise
Provider updated information on 2/12/2020
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
CentraTech Solutions is also your one-stop shop for all your technology related needs. We have been proudly providing technology services since May of 2000 with a proven track record of success. We love to take on new challenges and enjoy coming up with innovative solutions to even the most demanding situations. We hope that you will put our 19 years of experience to the test. You won't be disappointed!
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
Less than $1,000
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
Less than $500, monthly
Provider updated information on 7/22/2019
Services Offered
Java DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Google Certified AdWords Management and Facebook Ads Agency Based in Las Vegas. Get A Free Ad Account Audit. Take Control Of Your PPC Advertising Today.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$5,000 or more
Provider updated information on 12/7/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentAdvertisingFacebook Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Chainlink Relationship Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency based in NYC, helping companies and brands reach targeted audiences with personalized marketing messages. Chainlink helps companies improve their digital presence by conducting in-depth market research, planning targeted campaigns, providing the highest level of execution, and then constantly optimizing for the strongest results.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$1,500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 8/6/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentContent MarketingDigital MarketingEmail Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Ciniva LLC

Norfolk, VA, US See Location
We are Ciniva - a full-service creative agency of artists, writers, developers, and strategists. Here, there are no egos or hidden agendas, we're just good people on a mission to create the best work possible. When we first opened up shop in 1998, we made websites. Today, we do a heck of a lot more. From branding to digital marketing, web design to media strategy - our work has proudly served clients both big and small in the tourism, education, e-commerce, finance, tech, and non-profit space.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$5,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$2,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 4/28/2022
Services Offered
WooCommerce DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentJava DevelopmentCreative AgenciesAdvertisingView All Services (21)
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
We’re a digital marketing agency that is all about building long-term partnerships with our clients. Our sole mission is to increase your business’s revenue by providing you with more of the customers and clients you want.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 10/26/2022
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentSEODigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Cloudburst Design Studio is a Web Design & Development Interactive Agency in Lafayette, Co. creating incredible websites, logos & designs for small business & companies and non-profits.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$2,500 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 4/2/2020
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Coastal Rev Digital

Corpus Christi, TX, US See Location
Coastal Rev Digital is a digital and traditional marketing and advertising agency based in Corpus Christi Texas. We specialize in working with small to medium sized businesses to help them grow their business.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider updated information on 1/13/2021
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Attorneys | Business Services | Construction | Home Services | Restaurant | Startups
We are a technology services provider. We combine Consulting with Modern Technology (cloud, AI, IoT & Big Data) to plan, design, build and deliver our customers’ most important technology solutions.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$10,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$5,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 8/28/2019
Services Offered
Software DevelopmentDrupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWooCommerce Development
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Collective Alternative is a full-service marketing, public relations and advertising firm that provides customized solutions—rooted in strategy. For more than a decade, we’ve been developing brands, sharing stories, and growing businesses. Whether you place more value on relationships or results, at Collective Alternative you get both.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
Less than $1,000
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$2,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 4/9/2019
Services Offered
Java DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentCreative Agencies
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
At Concept Marketing, we design strategic advertising campaigns to grow your business. Every campaign is tailored to your personal and corporate needs, maximizing the effectiveness of your advertising. Don’t overspend. Have Concept Marketing’s exper...
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$1,500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 6/28/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Create Studios

Neptune Beach, FL, US + 1 More Location
We’re a boutique digital marketing agency based out of Jacksonville Beach, Fl serving customers locally and beyond since 2005. We’re a proud team of intelligent, forward-thinking millennials that have our pulse on the ever-changing digital marketing world. We’ve found a nice sweet spot between the large agency, large overhead model and a small shop with a few people wearing many hats.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 8/21/2019
Services Offered
Drupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

DNA Seattle

Seattle, WA, US See Location
DNA is an independent creative agency. We make love between people and brands. Let's make love.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$10,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$5,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 1/16/2020
Services Offered
Java DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentCreative AgenciesContent Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Affordable Websites for Small Business - Mobile Friendly Websites, SEO, SEM and PPC Campaigns, Video, Graphic Design, Copywriting and More! In San Marcos, North San Diego County 92069
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
Less than $500, monthly
Provider updated information on 5/30/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentSEO
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Deep Fried Advertising is a boutique creative & interactive agency located in New Orleans. We build robust brands and connect clients to consumers by balancing beautiful art, rich content and strategic planning; we address the key concerns of not just our clients, but more importantly, their customers. Founded in 2004, we offer professional branding, advertising, website, media planning + social media services to clients of all shapes, sizes and industries, both locally and nationwide.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider updated information on 5/1/2019
Services Offered
WooCommerce DevelopmentMagento DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentJava DevelopmentInstagram MarketingView All Services (12)
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Dental Revenue

Annapolis, MD, US See Location
1 review
Last reviewed on 8/21/2019
Dental Revenue is a digital marketing agency providing comprehensive online marketing for modern dental practices. Our Performance Program is one of the most unique in the industry. It was developed specifically for dentists to go beyond the basics of traditional internet marketing.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small
Provider updated information on 4/25/2022
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Mojgan Mazhari DDS — Owner / Dentist with 22 years of experience in the dental field
This company claims they can guarantee 20 % ROI. I spent 3000 dollars( give or take ) per month ( they basically used my old website which I had paid 12K with a different company and the site had been optimized organically for years and they redid the imaging with stock photos and charged 3500 or so for a new website they said I would" HAVE" to get a new website( for the campaign to succeed ) so I would need to make 60K per month from the leads that would come through from their advertising. I barely made it out alive as I only made enough to make the 3000 dollar payments. I had to fight tooth and nail to get out. Once I left they had left a non-working phone number on my site. I actually found out from a dear patient who was kind enough to not give up on us and once they were able to get in communication they told us the number they were using on our website was a non-working number. and 3-4 weeks into the new company campaign we discovered through this one patient that they had left a non-working number on our site. Not sure how many new patients we might have lost. They make it very difficult to leave. You have to sign a contract for 12 months the contracts continue EVERY YEAR. So at the end of 12 months, you sign another long term contract. The contract should be read carefully and even having an attorney to look into the details. What happens is they send you an electronic contract but there is a very small link which is an elaborate legal jargon to be included in what you sign. So the conversations are friendly, charming in nature and very reassuring but the legal contracts are very cut-throat. They do refer to "THE CONTRACT" at the first whispers of you wanting to leave. And it gets uglier and uglier from that point on. There is great level of warmth on the initial phone call and promises of a glorious future however at least in this case it turned out to be an influx of non dental calls , scam and sales call and patients who couldn't afford our services, I am not sure how I could have fallen for the 20% ROI, that alone should have been a red flag . I was able to download and document all the calls that had come through and saved the information for a rainy day so everything in this review can be prooved. Basically, they have a dashboard where you can see how the campaign is doing, the calls that come through they get recorded and we will fill in the details of that lead. Very easy to download and save. Bottom line is this: 1- elaborate ROI is too good to be true, any marketing company that guarantees that is manipulating the consumer 2- Contracts are ok for 6 months in my view, as most SEO and organic performance will improve over 4-6 months however in good conscience the marketing company needs to make it easy to leave if things aren't turning out as planned. Another word one added clause could be if the stats are dropping the consumer can leave in 2 weeks notice or one month notice. This would be reasonable for a consumer to get out before they go through a freefall of losing income because some outside entity isn't capable to produce what they had guaranteed they would. 3- Contracts that are 12 months and have too many legal jargons (not easily understood) need to be avoided since it usually means the marketing company is fully protected even if they had bad intentions to begin with. Meaning they made promises that they couldn't keep and there would be no penalties for them just the consumer. 4- Read all the reviews , not just the references the company gives you. This company gave me a list of clients that had been with them for a very long time and I guess after 5-7 years it is possible to get good results. However, when I went to their facebook page a lot of people that work there had written reviews. The reviews should come from clients who have been with the company for a long time. 5- Marketing isn't a one size fits all. At times you will need a more specialized and advanced company if your goals for expansion is a priority. You should be able to easily leave if the company isn't producing the product they said they would It should be very simple. The dashboard will provide very transparent information so it is easy to see even for the company that they are not performing. It is ok that they are not performing in my view ( if they are not good at what they do another word) but after 3-4 months they should simply let the client go and not hold the consumer hostage. Very dangerous to trust and be gullible as it is easy to be taken advantage of and lose a lot of money. It is wonderful to find a marketing company that has the consumers best interest at heart. It makes a whole lot of sense by investing in the consumers the company will do well. The consumer will write positive reviews and the expansion for the Marketing company and the consumer happens simultaneously. This is a win win for all parties involved.
See All Reviews

Digital Octane

Los Angeles, CA, US See Location
Digital Octane provides high qualified Web Design and Development services. Whether you need an E-Сommerce Website, digital solution or a simple Landing page - our team is ready to develop and design it for you.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$2,500 or more
Provider updated information on 9/18/2020
Services Offered
Software DevelopmentWebsite Development
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
E-Commerce | Education | Finance | Healthcare | Real Estate | Industrial
We're a digital marketing company offering: responsive web design, video production, Google Ads, SEO and Social Media in Akron, Canton and Cleveland. We specialize in WordPress Design & Development and are a Google Partner.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$2,500 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 4/17/2024
Services Offered
Drupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentSEOSocial Media
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

Dijt

Salt Lake City, UT, US See Location
Worldwide team of 3D Artists, Graphic Designers, Web Developers, Illustrators and Marketers creating extraordinary creative impact for brands.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$1,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$2,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 4/29/2019
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentCreative Agencies
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
DitraCreative Media connects the world to amazing people with unique stories like yours through creative strategies and media relations. Let us tell your story. "Work Your Passion. We'll Work the Crowd."™
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$5,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$500 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 2/20/2022
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentWooCommerce DevelopmentDigital MarketingTwitter MarketingWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services

ETSLabs

Nacogdoches, TX, US See Location
At ETS Labs, we don't just implement AI—we pioneer it. Partner with us to transform your customer experience and stay ahead in the AI-driven future.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider updated information on 9/3/2025
Services Offered
Website Development
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Real Estate | Hospitality | Healthcare | Energy | Education | Business Services
Embassy Global is an award-winning WBENC-certified, worldwide strategic technical marketing, PR, business development & management consulting firm for the B2B high-tech components manufacturing and engineering sectors. We help Clients to achieve more rapid, stable and measurable global sales growth.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Small, Medium, Enterprise
Provider updated information on 11/17/2021
Services Offered
Drupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Startups | Energy | Education | Business Services | Automotive | Industrial

Engage

Alexandria, VA, US See Location
Our team brings their wealth of knowledge and experience to Engage to solve problems for Fortune 500 companies, national non-profit organizations, elected officials, and leading advocacy and trade associations. Our mix of technical, creative, and policy experts have won hearts and changed minds, shaping and defining the digital space in D.C. and beyond. Our team’s thirst for knowledge and passion for problem-solving makes us innovators and leaders.
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Medium, Enterprise
Provider's minimum per-project cost
Per-project minimum
$10,000 or more
Provider's minimum retainer cost
Retainer minimum
$5,000 or more, monthly
Provider updated information on 3/26/2020
Services Offered
Java DevelopmentDrupal DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentDigital Marketing
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services
Evolve Systems is a full-service digital, creative, and technology agency that is driven by the passion to evolve our clients’ businesses. We serve a range of businesses including manufacturing, senior living, business professionals, and other industries across the U.S. using our suite of strategy,
Read Full Summary
Businesses provider works with
Works with
Medium
Provider updated information on 7/30/2024
Services Offered
Website DevelopmentDigital MarketingWeb Design
Visit Profile
Industry(s):
Business Services | Construction | E-Commerce | Healthcare | Industrial | Non-Profit
Back to TopVIEW MORE PROVIDERS
Showing 30 of 5,395 Providers

Discover More Providers Related to Website Development

Do you offer any of these services?

Talk to us to learn how we help B2B service providers increase visibility!

Learn How To Get Listed!

Contents

Website Development Companies Hiring Guide

Researched by David J. Brin and edited by Tony Furnas
Updated August 29, 2025

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.