5 Best Places To Hire a Web Designer for Your Business

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A poorly designed site can cost you leads, credibility, and revenue. That's why knowing where to hire a web designer matters, whether you're launching a new site or revamping an outdated one.

At Wilco Web Services, we build conversion-focused websites for local businesses every day. But we also recognize that finding the right fit depends on your budget, timeline, and project scope. Not every business needs a full-service agency, and not every freelancer can deliver the results you need.

This guide breaks down five reliable places to find web design talent, from freelance marketplaces to specialized agencies. You'll learn the pros and cons of each option so you can choose the path that makes the most sense for your business goals.

1. Wilco Web Services

Wilco Web Services specializes in building conversion-focused websites for local businesses that need more than just a pretty design. You get a strategic partner who understands how to turn online visitors into paying customers through targeted SEO, professional design, and ongoing optimization. If you're a local business owner tired of generic solutions that fail to deliver measurable results, this agency focuses exclusively on driving client traffic both online and to your physical location.

Best for

Local businesses in competitive industries like law firms, orthodontics, or professional services benefit most from this approach. You'll see the biggest impact if your current website isn't converting visitors, your local search rankings need improvement, or you've struggled with low-quality leads from past marketing efforts. Businesses that value long-term partnerships over one-off projects find the most success here.

What you get

Your package includes a professionally designed website built for conversions, local SEO implementation to dominate search results in your area, and strategic content creation tailored to your industry. Wilco also provides targeted advertising campaigns, graphic design for branding materials, and continuous monitoring with adjustments to maximize your return. Past clients have seen increases like 395% in lead generation and 448% growth in organic visitors.

If you need a partner who understands your specific industry challenges and delivers measurable growth, a specialized agency offers advantages that generic freelancers can't match.

Typical pricing and engagement options

Expect custom pricing based on your specific needs rather than fixed packages. Most clients work with Wilco through ongoing monthly retainers that include website maintenance, SEO management, and strategy adjustments. Initial website projects vary depending on complexity, but the focus stays on ROI over upfront costs.

What to ask before you hire

Ask for case studies from businesses in your industry to see proven results. Request a breakdown of their strategy development process and how they measure success. Clarify what ongoing support looks like after your site launches and whether they provide transparent reporting on traffic, leads, and conversions.

2. Upwork

Upwork connects you with thousands of freelance web designers across every skill level and price point. You post your project details, review proposals from interested designers, and choose who to hire based on their portfolio and client reviews. This platform works well when you need flexibility in both budget and timeline, though you'll spend time sorting through applicants to find quality talent.

Best for

You'll find success on Upwork if you have clear project requirements and the time to manage freelancers directly. Small businesses with limited budgets appreciate the ability to compare multiple proposals before committing. Projects with defined scopes like landing pages, redesigns, or simple business sites fit this marketplace better than complex, ongoing partnerships.

How it works

After posting your job description, you receive proposals from interested designers within hours. Review their portfolios, past client ratings, and hourly or fixed-price quotes. Once you hire someone, you communicate through Upwork's messaging system and track progress using their built-in project management tools.

The platform's review system helps you identify designers with proven track records, but you still need to verify their work quality matches your standards.

Typical pricing and platform fees

Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $150+ per hour depending on experience and location. Upwork charges clients a 5% service fee on top of what you pay the freelancer. Fixed-price projects typically range from $500 for basic sites to $5,000+ for more sophisticated designs.

How to vet designers fast

Request work samples that match your industry and style preferences. Ask about their revision policy and typical turnaround times. Check their Upwork job success score and read recent client reviews to spot red flags before you commit to hiring.

3. Toptal

Toptal screens designers rigorously before accepting them into their network, claiming only the top 3% of applicants make it through. You pay a premium for this pre-vetted talent pool, but you skip the hassle of sorting through dozens of unqualified candidates. This platform suits businesses that need reliable expertise without spending weeks on the hiring process.

Best for

Established companies with larger budgets and complex projects benefit most from Toptal's approach. You'll appreciate the streamlined process if your timeline is tight and you can't afford to hire web designer talent that wastes your time. Businesses requiring specialized skills like UX research, complex web applications, or enterprise-level design find better matches here than on general freelance marketplaces.

How it works

Toptal assigns you a matching specialist who discusses your project requirements in detail. Within 24 to 48 hours, they present pre-screened candidates who fit your needs. You can start with a risk-free trial period before committing to a longer engagement.

Toptal's rigorous screening process eliminates most vetting work, though you'll pay significantly more than platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

Typical pricing and contract structure

Expect to pay $60 to $200+ per hour depending on the designer's expertise and your project complexity. Most engagements follow hourly billing with weekly or monthly payment schedules. Toptal requires an initial deposit and maintains the option for full-time or part-time arrangements.

What to ask during screening

Request examples of projects similar in scope and complexity to yours. Ask about their typical revision process and communication preferences. Clarify whether they provide post-launch support and how they handle unexpected technical challenges.

4. Wix Marketplace

Wix Marketplace offers access to certified web designers who specialize in building sites on the Wix platform. You browse profiles of pre-screened professionals, review their portfolios, and hire someone who matches your style preferences and budget. This option makes sense if you already use Wix or prefer the simplicity of keeping your website hosting and design services in one ecosystem.

Best for

Small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to hire web designer talent specifically trained on Wix tools benefit most from this marketplace. You'll find success here if you value ease of use over custom coding, need quick turnarounds, and prefer all-in-one solutions for hosting, design, and maintenance.

How it works

You search the marketplace by project type and budget range, then send project details to designers you're interested in. Designers respond with custom proposals, and you compare options before making your choice. Once hired, the designer works directly within your Wix account to build or update your site.

Typical pricing and packages

Projects typically range from $500 to $5,000 depending on complexity and customization needs. Most designers offer fixed-price packages that include specific deliverables like homepage design, page templates, or complete site builds. Additional services like SEO setup or logo design often cost extra.

Working within the Wix ecosystem limits customization options compared to custom-coded sites, but it keeps ongoing maintenance simple.

How to choose the right specialist

Review their portfolio projects that match your industry and design aesthetic. Check client ratings and read feedback about communication quality and deadline adherence. Ask about their revision policy and whether they provide training on managing your Wix site after launch.

5. Fiverr Pro

Fiverr Pro features hand-vetted designers who have passed identity verification, portfolio reviews, and English proficiency tests. You access higher-quality talent than the standard Fiverr marketplace while maintaining the platform's quick turnaround times and fixed-price packages. This option suits businesses that want freelance flexibility without wading through thousands of unqualified sellers.

Best for

You'll find value here if you need a specific deliverable like a landing page redesign, logo integration, or homepage refresh within a tight budget. Businesses comfortable managing designers remotely and providing detailed feedback benefit most. The platform works well when you have clear visual references and prefer paying per project rather than hourly.

How it works

Browse verified Pro sellers by category and review their fixed-price packages. Each designer offers tiered options with different deliverables and revision rounds. Once you purchase a package, you communicate through Fiverr's messaging system and receive drafts according to the agreed timeline.

Pro verification reduces risk compared to standard Fiverr, but you still need to review portfolios carefully to ensure style alignment.

Typical pricing and add-ons

Pro packages typically start at $500 and range up to $3,000 for complete site designs. Most designers offer add-on services like additional revisions, rush delivery, or extra page designs for separate fees. Payment processes through Fiverr's escrow system until you approve the final deliverables.

How to avoid common pitfalls

Request detailed mockups before approving milestones to prevent miscommunication. Clarify what constitutes a revision versus additional work that costs extra. Verify whether your package includes source files and whether the designer provides post-delivery support for technical issues.

Next steps

Now that you know where to hire web designer talent, focus on what matters most: finding someone who understands your business goals. Take time to review portfolios that match your industry and aesthetic preferences. Write down specific questions about revision policies, timelines, and post-launch support before you reach out to candidates.

Start by defining your project scope and budget range clearly. This preparation helps you filter options quickly and communicate expectations from the first conversation. Whether you choose a freelance marketplace or an agency depends on how much guidance you need throughout the process and your comfort level managing designers remotely.

If you're ready to work with a team that specializes in conversion-focused websites for local businesses, Wilco Web Services delivers measurable results through strategic design and ongoing optimization. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and see how we've helped businesses in your industry achieve the kind of growth you're looking for.