UX design can be a huge challenge for any startup. Nowadays, hiring a great designer who doesn’t just follow trends but can create something new and exciting for you is tough. Not only is it hard to find a designer who doesn’t rely on copying their past work, but it’s also expensive. The cost of designing a project can be overwhelming for a young startup.
So, if design is expensive and startups often operate on limited budgets, is it okay to skip design at the beginning? My answer is no, and I’ll try to convince you why.
Users Perceive Your Idea Through Its Presentation
These days, it’s no secret that having a good idea isn’t enough. You also need to know how to present and sell that idea. You might have a fantastic concept and a functional website—say, one built on WordPress—but users may still fail to understand your service or product.
Even if they do understand your product, a poorly designed website can lead to distrust. While your website’s navigation and functionality might feel intuitive to you, that’s because you know your project inside and out. For a new user, it’s a completely different story. Users don’t want to think too hard—they want a seamless, aesthetically pleasing experience that feels modern and relevant.
A Good Designer Knows What Makes a Project Successful
An experienced designer who works in this field daily knows what users want—and what they don’t want. They’ve seen hundreds of projects and can offer you fresh ideas. A good designer can approach your project from the perspective of a user who’s encountering it for the first time.
Most startups are based on new ideas that haven’t been tested by a large audience. Often, they have underlying issues that act as anchors, holding them back. A designer can help identify and fix these issues.
The Statistics on Failed Startups Speak for Themselves
About 90% of startups fail within their first year. This statistic is cited by several credible sources and surveys. Often, a startup doesn’t fail because its product is bad or too expensive. Instead, it fails because the idea wasn’t presented or communicated effectively.
In other words, a great idea can flop simply because users didn’t understand it or because the “packaging” of your website didn’t appeal to them.
The Statistics Are Scary, Designers Are Expensive, and I Already Have a WordPress or Shopify Site—What Should I Do?
Design Options for Budget-Conscious Startups
1. Hire a Freelance Designer for a Refresh
If you already have an existing project, consider hiring a freelance designer to give your website a fresh look. They can provide a solid redesign, incorporating important trends and fixing any mistakes you’ve made.
2. Work with a Small, Specialized Team
Instead of turning to a big design agency, find a small company that specializes in UX design for startups. These teams may not have a long history of projects, but they often consist of ambitious professionals with plenty of experience who’ve decided to strike out on their own. In many cases, they’re just as skilled as designers in large corporations but more affordable.
3. Hire an Individual Designer for a Simple Solution
You can also hire an independent designer to create a clean, simple design. Once you have the design, any skilled freelance developer can implement it on platforms like WordPress or Shopify.
Most Successful Startups Today Have Great Marketing
It’s just a fact: every successful startup today has excellent design, branding, and marketing. Think of any AI startup from small companies or any popular new SaaS product. None of them have poor design or branding. At the very least, they stay on top of trends and avoid looking outdated or overly complicated.
Does a Startup Need a UX Designer?
My answer is yes. In today’s market, a startup must be well-presented, and that’s where a UX designer comes in. The statistics speak for themselves: without good design, your chances of success drop significantly.
Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly solutions for startups, and I believe every startup founder can achieve a design that, while maybe not the best, is good enough to get through the critical early years and eventually reach success.
