Choosing a UX/UI design agency presents its own challenges because it’s a core component of your product and how you want your customers to experience it. When it comes to the product, the customer is still king
Choosing a UX/UI design agency presents its own challenges because it’s a core component of your product success. The customer is king when it comes to product adoption and engagement, and this is the arena where you should win your battles. The pandemic has pushed forward drastic changes in customer behavior, and the “stickiness” of these changes will depend largely on customer satisfaction. As such, one of your business goals should be creating a product that would provide a seamless and intuitive experience to your users.
.This is where UX and UI design come in
Each concept is complex in itself; combined, they can be a source of frustration even for those who understand the core concepts of user experience and user interface. Building an engaging product or mobile application that’s also well optimized can be very challenging, but hiring a UX/UI design agency ensures that your application is, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, quick and easy to browse, reliable, and rich with features that improve the overall user experience.
Finding the Right UX/UI Design Agency for Your Business
To ensure that your design philosophy conforms to your business goals, you should find an agency that understands your business inside out. This means that you yourself should have a deep understanding of your business and what it stands for, including how you want it presented to prospects and customers. The aesthetics, functionality, and ease of use of your product is your best tool for making a good first impression and attracting the right audience. Ensure that it represents your business, its value proposition, and how this is offered to your customers through its content and overall design and structure.
It’s best to create a list of must-haves and things to consider before working with a UX/UI design agency to help you identify salient points and things you need to discuss with potential providers. Below is a list of things to consider before you jump into a partnership with an agency.
#1 Agency Proficiency
If you’re working on a product, it’s only logical to find a UX/UI design agency that specializes in products. A product-oriented company with vast experience will deliver value that goes beyond your expectations. It also aligns both your expectations when it comes to project constraints. Most project parameters will obviously be dependent on the product, so a product focus will definitely prove beneficial for both parties.
#2 Availability
Availability is an important factor because your timelines will be largely dependent on how available and flexible your UX/UI design agency is. Not everybody is available to start a new project immediately and give it the attention you require. However, the details should be clear at the onset so the agency knows what needs to be done and when it should be completed. The agency should be able to provide an estimate of when a project will be completed.
#3 Vertical Expertise
If you’re looking for a personalized touch, you should look for a UX/UI design agency that has significant experience in your specific vertical. This ensures that it has a deeper understanding of your business, what it does, and the markets it serves. An agency that demonstrates real experience in your domain can provide a personalized touch peppered with relevant expertise and experience. It also minimizes errors and reduces the time needed to launch a project.
#4 Business Size
The number of employees in a UX/UI design agency determines how much effort it can put in a project or initiative. A large workforce is a good indicator of an agency’s success rate because it shows that it’s astute enough to invest in people and profitable enough to afford it. It also ensures that it has the professional experience and expertise to invest in your project. More people means more talent, and as higher level of proficiency that leads to better results.
#5 Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio
A UX/UI design agency is only as good as its portfolio. Before investing in one, you should request for a portfolio in your specific domain/vertical so you can see their past work and the philosophies behind them. It’s also a great idea to ask for a demo wherein the agency tells you about the journey from start to finish and how they can create a memorable experience for you and your users. Also ask the agency whether these past projects were completed up to spec and within the time frame provided.
#6 Soft Skills
Arguably the most important consideration when looking for a UX/UI agency, you should ensure that there’s effective communication at all times. Remember that contracting an agency means establishing a partnership that can make or break your project. As such, chemistry should be established at the onset so that there are little to no communication challenges for the duration of the project. This will also help with problem solving just in case there are setbacks along the way.
The UX/UI Bottom-line
When strategizing, product design should be a major part of the process because it’s the number one success factor for your business. The customer is king—and a well designed product is the best way to make customers happy.
Design the best products by partnering with an established UX/UI design agency with demonstrated experience in your vertical and a solid portfolio of past successful projects. Keep communication lines open and make meaningful conversations to develop rapport and build a strong business relationship. A partnership built on trust and transparency will go a long way in ensuring product adoption and greater success.
