Is a Dedicated Graphic Design Team Worth It for Small Businesses?

According to statistics, small businesses number at around 33 million in the US alone. This means the competition is fierce for those just starting. And while you might think that graphic design, which is a surefire way to get consumers to notice your brand, can wait until you can afford it, think again. Is hiring graphic designers online worth it? Here’s why it is.

What is a Dedicated Graphic Design Team?

A dedicated graphic design team is one that understands your brand from the inside out, allowing them to craft visual assets that align with your goals. This is usually made up of graphic designers and art directors who work with you for the long term. Unlike freelancers and designers who operate on a per-project basis, a dedicated graphic design service serves as an extension of your business.

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Why is Graphic Design Crucial for Small Businesses?

Your brand’s visual assets are a magnet for judgment. From picking your product off the shelf, browsing your website, or scrolling through your Facebook post, design is what people see first. And for small businesses, this is crucial as that first impression can mean the difference between a sale and a scroll-down. 

Seasoned entrepreneurs will tell you that design isn’t the end-all be-all of your business. Design has to be great for it to build trust, tell your story, and give your brand the credibility it needs. Design has to look polished, professional, and consistent, something that you don’t get from templates and DIY design tools (unless you’re a skilled designer). 

If you’re still in doubt if hiring a dedicated graphic design team is worth the investment, let’s look at statistics. A study conducted by Lucidpress shows that consistent brand presentation increases revenues by up to 23%. Or that design-driven companies outperformed the Standard & Poor’s 500 by 228% over a ten-year period.

In-House vs. Freelancers vs. Dedicated Graphic Design Services

For many small business owners, the choice is either building their own in-house design team or working with freelancers to get designs. While both these options get the job done, an in-house team can be expensive, or freelancers can be unreliable. With an in-house team, you pay for salaries (even when the workload is low), software, hardware, and even the utilities.

On the other hand, freelancers offer work quality and availability that can vary. It’s no accident that you’ll find one that would abandon your project or one that wouldn’t show up for revisions. If you want to avoid the frustrations, better work with a dedicated graphic design service.

How Does a Dedicated Graphic Design Team Benefit Your Small Business?

For small businesses that want all the benefits of using graphic design, a dedicated graphic design team can be the game-changer you’re looking for. At first, it may seem like a huge investment compared to traditional graphic design services, but its advantages will make it all worth your while. 

• Brand consistency across all your platforms. Your designs will stay unified across your website, social media, packaging, and more.
• Faster project delivery and revisions. A dedicated team will learn about your brand, making the design process faster and revisions fewer.
• Strategic designs that are aligned with your business goals. Your designs are strategized, making them more effective in getting your message across.
• Long-term cost-efficiency. When you save on time and money by reducing errors and improving results, it is more cost-effective in the long run.
• Access to reliable and creative talent. You no longer have to hire for every new project you have. A dedicated graphic design service has a team of professional graphic designers who specialize in a wide array of services.

How to Hire Graphic Designers Online?

Now that you know that working with a dedicated graphic design team is a smart business investment, the next step would be to find one. When choosing a team, it would be natural to go by price. But that shouldn’t be the only criterion to look out for.

Review their portfolio to see if their style matches your requirements. Strong communication and collaboration are also essential as you want a design process that’s easy and smooth-flowing. 

With that said, you can start your search on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. But you don’t have to go far, Penji is a reliable graphic design service that can cater to all of your design needs. Watch our demo video here to see how you can get all your visual assets quickly and easily.

Cost vs. Value: Is a Dedicated Graphic Design Team Worth It?

For small business owners, hiring a dedicated graphic design team may seem too much of an expense. But if you look closely, the value you’ll get far outweighs that cost, especially if you’re looking to grow. Graphic designers can charge anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour, depending on location, experience, and other factors. This would amount to roughly $83,200 to $208,000 per year if you hire them to work full-time for you (40 hours/week, 52 weeks).

On the other hand, a subscription-based graphic design service offers pricing plans that range from $500 to $2,000, depending on scope and volume. For one, Penji’s fees start at $499 per month, which gives you access to a team of creative geniuses.

This means better visuals that result in a stronger brand recognition, more conversions, and fewer redesigns. Hiring a dedicated graphic design team is a smart and strategic move.

Final Thoughts

Playing against big-name brands can be the biggest hurdle for small businesses. But with the right strategy, you can always level the playing field. This is why you should stop hiring graphic designers online and instead work with a reliable graphic design service like Penji. Click here to send in your first design request today.

FAQs

• Is making the switch from hiring graphic designers online to a dedicated graphic design team easy?

Yes, many businesses that started with freelancers or having an in-house team have transitioned smoothly to working with a subscription-based graphic design service. Just make sure to onboard your new team with your brand guidelines and past designs to make the move effortless.

• Is custom illustration included in these on-demand graphic design services?

Not all graphic design services offer custom illustrations, which are an excellent way to level up your design game. With Penji, you’ll get access to talented illustrators ready to take on your illustration needs.

• What if I only need a few designs each month?

If your design requirements are minimal, a dedicated graphic design team may not be for you. You can hire graphic designers online and transition to a subscription-based service once your design needs grow.