When you’re a small business shopping for a website, it’s tempting to think bigger is better. Big web design agencies have flashy websites, impressive portfolios, and teams so big they could start their own baseball league. What’s not to love, right?
Well, let’s think about this for a second.
While big agencies can be a great fit for certain businesses, they may not be the right choice for everyone—especially small businesses. Their shiny appeal often hides challenges that can turn your project into a bit of a headache.
When it comes to choosing a web design agency for small business projects, the big guys come with a few risks worth considering. In the end, it’s up to you—my goal here is simply to make you aware of them, so you can make the best choice for your business.
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1. You’re Just Another Project in Their Pipeline
Big agencies juggle a ton of clients, which means your project might feel like it’s just another item on their to-do list.
You’ll likely start with a salesperson, move to a project manager, and then get passed to designers, developers, and a few other people you may never even meet. By the end of it, you’re left wondering, who’s actually working on my site?
Smaller agencies or independent designers are different. You’re not one of 20 projects they’re managing—you’re the project. You’ll work directly with the person handling your website, which means nothing gets lost in translation, and your vision won’t get watered down.
2. Fancy Titles, But Where’s the Accountability?
Big agencies love their titles—Project Manager, Lead Developer, Creative Director—but titles don’t guarantee results. Sometimes, those extra layers of management mean no one takes full accountability for your project. Even when you have a dedicated Account Manager, issues can get passed around like a hot potato, while you’re left waiting for answers.
Small web design companies are leaner. There’s no passing the buck; you’ll know exactly who’s responsible for what web design services. And if something goes wrong? You’ll get a direct, honest answer and a plan to fix it—quickly.
3. Big Agencies = Big Price Tags (and Hidden Costs)
Big agencies have big teams, big office spaces, and big overhead. Guess who pays for that? You. They might lure you in with a flashy pitch, but when the invoice lands in your inbox, it’s enough to make your stomach turn. Oh, and don’t forget the hidden costs—need an extra page? That’ll be $$$. Want a revision? That’s extra, too.
Smaller agencies keep things straightforward. Their costs are transparent, their pricing is fair, and they’re far more likely to deliver real value for your budget. No nickel-and-diming—just honest work for an honest price.
4. Custom Work Might Not Be So Custom
Here’s a dirty little secret: many big agencies rely on templates. That “custom” website design you paid top dollar for? It might just be a spruced-up version of something they’ve used a dozen times before. Why? Because templates save time, and time is money—especially in a bigger agency.
Smaller teams often take the time to build your site from scratch. They care deeply about what you want and getting your brand identity right. With a boutique agency or solo designer, you’re more likely to get a site that’s 100% yours, and not just a template with your colors and content swapped out.
5. Communication Can Be a Nightmare
Ever emailed a big agency only to wait days—or weeks—for a reply? This doesn’t happen with every big agency, but it’s more likely to happen (in my experience). With so many layers of management, your question might bounce from one inbox to another before it reaches someone who can help.
Without a responsive design team, smaller agencies risk their reputation fast. That’s why you’ll typically get quick replies from a smaller firm—often straight from the person doing the work.
6. Big Promises, Questionable Delivery
Big agencies love to sell you on big promises—more website visitors, better SEO rankings, skyrocketing conversions. But here’s the thing: results are never guaranteed, no matter how much you spend or how big the agency is.
They might throw in fancy charts and buzzwords about topping the search engines, but that doesn’t mean they’ll deliver. And the worst part?
Even if you read their online reviews, you might not realize you’ve been oversold until it’s too late. At larger agencies, poor reviews can get buried among glowing ones, making it harder to spot red flags.
Smaller agencies can’t hide poor outcomes, so they tend to be more realistic about what they can promise. They’ll set expectations clearly and work with you to create a website that supports your digital marketing goals—whether that’s building credibility, improving user engagement, or creating a site that’s easy to manage.
7. Your Needs Aren’t Always Their Priority
Big agencies often have mammoth clients—and if you’re not one of them, your web development project could take a backseat. Smaller budgets sometimes mean longer wait times, less attention to detail, and feeling like you’re not a top priority.
Smaller agencies act as a more dedicated team, treating every client like a big deal. Your project matters to them, because your success is directly tied to theirs. With fewer projects on their plate, they’ve got more bandwidth to deliver high-quality work for every client, regardless of budget.
Plus, working with them often means supporting someone’s livelihood, not just upgrading the tech in a corporate boardroom. Something you can feel great about!
8. They Can Be Stuck in Their Processes
Bigger agencies thrive on processes and systems. While that might sound like a good thing, it can mean they’re not great at adapting to your unique needs. They might promise “a comprehensive suite of custom solutions”… But then, when you actually need something custom or a slight pivot mid-project, you might hear, “That’s not how we do things.”
Smaller agencies and freelancers know how to balance structure with flexibility. We’ve got processes to keep everything running smoothly, but we’re not stuck in a “one way or no way” mindset.
That means we can adapt to your specific needs while still delivering a seamless, well-organized experience. This allows us to deliver a really personalized experience, not affected by corporate red tape and rigid processes.
9. The High Turnover Problem
With big agencies, staff turnover tends to be higher, which means the designer or developer who starts your project might not be the one who finishes it. This inconsistency can lead to miscommunication, lost details, and a final product that doesn’t match your expectations.
With smaller agencies, you work with a tight-knit team—or even the same person—from start to finish. This consistency keeps your project on track and exactly in line with your original vision.
Thinking about saving yourself the hassle of hiring a web designer and going down the DIY route? Read “Why Hire a Website Designer When You Can DIY?” to see why this might not be the best idea.
Why Smaller Teams Are the Better Fit
So, what’s the takeaway here? For small businesses, big agencies often mean big headaches. Not always, but it’s something I’ve heard a lot from new clients and have even experienced first-hand.
Smaller agencies and independent web designers offer something big agencies can’t: personal attention, transparency, and a genuine investment in your success. They care about your project because they care about their reputation, and they’re willing to go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy.
Ready to Skip the Headaches? Let’s Talk.
If you’re tired of feeling like just another number, it’s time to try something different. We believe small businesses deserve big results—without all the big agency nonsense. We’ll treat your project like it’s the most important one on our plate (because it is).
Want to know more? Let’s chat about your goals and see if AWD is the right web design agency for your small business.
