Does anyone here use a subscription-based model for web development services?
“I'm looking to get back into Web Development after a short stint working another job, and I am noticing more and more that there are web development companies charging by the month rather than charging upfront for the whole project. In the case of websites, it would be a monthly fee that covers everything, including maintenance, hosting, etc.”
This is how Reddit discussions begin.
And this article resolves all concerns out there and beyond. It explains how the web design subscription model is being employed, and how both clients and subscription companies make use of it and reap its benefits.
Highlights
- Customers benefit from the ease of auto-renewals and have continuous access to a talent pool and high-value work.
- Agencies offering subscriptions can grow easily, enjoying predictable income and enhanced customer relationships.
- Providing a significant degree of steadfast and compounding value can happen only when both parties understand each other inside and out.
What Is a Web Design Subscription Model?
Unlike traditional per-project or per-hour pricing, a web subscription-based model ensures unlimited access to top-notch design work with a predictable revenue stream.
It would be great to no longer have to send estimates and invoices back and forth, right? Well, using web design subscription services, you can benefit from the expertise of the whole team of seasoned senior designers without committing to pay for full-time work.
And let’s not forget that the average base salary for a senior designer is $95,927 reaching as high as $150,824 per year (according to Indeed).
But the story doesn’t end there.
In the following sections, I’ll explain how and why to go forward with this pricing model.
Web Design Subscription Model Pros and Cons
Before delving into the details of the web subscription model, let's take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages it entails.
Even though the design subscription solution can be pricier than on the scale of Fiverr, you get a high-quality design that won't need to be tweaked in a week or month.
Moving fast doesn’t always serve a purpose.
The biggest pain points for entrepreneurs and business owners include wasting money on projects and design services that won’t benefit their company in the long run.
Yet, they often underestimate how quickly capital and other financial resources get spent.
An infographic showcases the level of investment risk when working with traditional 50% upfront and 50% after-launch models and subscription-based (our) solutions.
Note: In this example, we refer to the amount of $30K (50% upfront) + $30K (50% after-launch) and $12K (first month) + $12K (second month) + $12K (third month) + $12K (fourth month), etc.
The solution you will take to solve this pain point should always be based on your current situation and needs. And you truly desire every penny to be used wisely to avoid operational difficulties.
So, setting clear goals right from the start helps prevent frivolous spending. The initial step involves managing a budget.
That’s where we come in.
With our flexible and predictable pricing, we help you run your dream project right off the ground.
That means you won’t ever pay 50% upfront and 50% after launch. In other words, we adjust the price not only based on your project size but also on your current needs.
Experiencing a sudden decrease in your budget? Cancel or pause and save money for the next cycle.
Comparing the cost and quality of services you get in a specific time span can save significantly on costs over time. Above all else, you can regularly review overhead costs and look for areas of improvement.
Who Do We Recommend the Web Design Subscription for?
Individuals or businesses of all sizes that prefer to pay regularly to receive a high-quality design are those who need the subscription model.
With predictable subscriptions, business owners can create accurate forecasts, manage resources effectively, and avoid potential financial risks.
And the best thing is that they can rely on consistent quality, making better data-driven decisions in the future.
Solopreneurs
Solopreneurs enjoy a lot of control over their business, but handling all business components on their own is often challenging. It definitely can not be easy to keep track of everything when maintaining a website.
Solopreneurs, therefore, should opt for full-service web development on a subscription basis to make their lives easier.
Software as a service (SaaS)
SaaS development process can be complex. But low-code SaaS development not only cuts the time-to-market in half but also helps SaaS business owners evaluate ideas for less.
Therefore, the subscription-based model can help build your SaaS from the ground up with high-end design and the power of low-code development, as well as to cut costs.
Startups
The advantages of designing subscription models for startups are enormous and can unlock their full potential easily. By subscribing to website design and development services, startups get better conversion rates, great impressions, visibility, and a stronger brand identity.
As an example, here is our case study.
Businesses of all sizes
No matter the size of the businesses or the type of industry in which they operate, subscription design services can be very useful. All businesses eventually require scalability and flexibility, so they can easily adjust the level of web design service based on changing demands.
A subscription model, with its scalable solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, comes in handy at that point.
Agencies
There are many agencies out there. For example, a Webflow development agency might hire some other digital agency to implement their PPC plan or set up their analytics system. And a digital agency may hire them to set up its website on Webflow.
The bottom line is that subscriptions are beneficial in any case.
Venture Capital (VCs)
It's not easy to master the venture capital portfolio tactics while managing the potential downside risks. That's why subscription-based services come in handy, especially if you want to secure VC funding.
We're committed to crafting Webflow sites, aiming to empower your VC firms to grow your portfolio companies.
How Long Do Clients Stay with Subscription Based Agencies on Average?
On average, clients stay with subscription agencies from 1-2 weeks to 4-8 weeks—or if they instill confidence in future growth—they “subscribe” for a lifetime.
There are several factors that can influence how long clients stay with subscription-based agencies.
It is more likely that both parties will continue their collaboration if they communicate frequently, ensuring an effective workflow.
Then, there are more factors, including:
- Flexibility of the subscription services
- Specific client’s web design needs
- Level of ongoing support
- Turnaround time
- Client’s budget
So, how do you find the best subscription agency - the one you'll never want to leave? It's important to consider whether a digital agency has experience working with brands in your industry. The design team must know the trends in your industry to make your website more valuable.
Secondly, check their portfolio and customer reviews to have an overview of the work quality.
Once, you’ve done these steps, check the pricing page to see if their services fit your budget. You may find that they offer a discount or a flexible pricing model in their FAQs section or by reading the whole page on their website.
Lastly, contact your desired web design firm to see if you can agree on an affordable solution.
Conclusion
With the rapid growth of the digital market in recent years, top-notch design is in high demand. A good design communicates your business's values and unique selling points, enabling you to scale up or down as needed.
However, not every freelancer or agency can produce quality work for fair pricing. And you’ve seen how the subscription model compares to the alternative pricing models, used by freelancers, or in-house teams.
To experience the full power of a web design subscription, look for an agency with a strong portfolio that showcases various industry experiences. And don’t forget that with the best design services, it’s effortless to request unlimited revisions, give feedback, and implement changes.
Note: There are a lot of questions and confusion associated with subscription models that both web designers and customers face before making an informed decision.
Below, you’ll find questions that both web designers and clients usually ask subscription-based agencies.
And don't forget to power up your business with our subscription services.
You ask. We answer.
How do you protect yourself from customers who want new changes and features really often?
We communicate often, so our clients don’t require new changes each day. They do, however, have unlimited design requests.
And if they don't appreciate high-quality work, they're not the right fit for us. We take pride in our commitment to excellence and seek partnerships with those who share our beliefs.
How do you protect yourself from customers who might want to cancel only a few months after the website was created?
It has never happened to us that even 10% of our customers want to leave us. Keeping customers informed about design changes and new developments is the best way to prevent them from canceling the subscription service.
Those who feel like they are missing out may leave subscription agencies sooner. We always go one step further, offering ongoing maintenance support.
How do you handle customers wanting to change or add things to the website (or even have a redesign of the website)?
Shared beliefs are critical to the creation of the best work. For those who aren't designers but act as if they are, we strongly recommend trusting the agencies they have chosen.
On the other hand, we always make sure our clients' opinions are heard and the ideas they propose are implemented. But we also remain committed to our respective roles, ensuring that we address issues in a responsive manner, ultimately driving towards optimal outcomes for all involved.
Can I pause or cancel my subscription whenever I like?
Yes, you can. Pause or cancel your subscription anytime. For more information, check out our Pricing page.
Do subscription agencies offer any refunds?
Given the exceptional quality of subscription agencies’ work, they do not offer refunds.
Do you offer ongoing partnership?
Yes, our goal #1 is to help businesses grow through an ongoing partnership. While we offer different pricing models, it's worth noting that many other subscription agencies may not share our dedication to the same standard.
With years of experience, we crafted different solutions to meet various clients’ needs, never locking anyone into rigid plans.
Do subscription agencies offer ongoing support?
Some agencies, like ours, offer ongoing support, while others don’t.
Rea is a versatile SEO writer with over 3 years of experience. At Nube, she devotes a high degree of attention to content focused on Webflow and design to establish topical authority in this field.
