Hiring a web design agency in New York, London or San Francisco can easily cost more than many small and growing businesses can justify. That’s why more and more US and UK companies now outsource their websites, online stores and marketing to remote teams overseas.
Done right, outsourcing gives you a full team of designers, developers and marketers at a much lower cost. Done wrong, it can mean missed deadlines, poor communication and a website you have to rebuild. This guide explains how to get it right.
Full disclosure: Ace 360 Solutions is a remote agency, so we’ve seen outsourcing from the agency side for years. We’ve tried to keep this guide practical and honest, including the downsides.
Why US and UK businesses outsource web design
- Lower cost. Agency hourly rates in the US and UK are among the highest in the world. Industry research by Tenten puts US and UK Shopify agency rates at around $150 to $350 an hour, compared with far lower rates in many other regions.
- A full team. Instead of one freelancer, you get designers, developers, SEO specialists and project managers.
- More for your budget. The savings can go into extra features, content or marketing.
- Work happens while you sleep. With the right time zone overlap, progress continues outside your working hours.
- Access to specialist skills. Shopify, WordPress, UI and UX design, SEO and ads under one roof.
The risks, and how to avoid them
| Risk | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Poor communication | Choose a team with fluent English, a dedicated project manager and regular scheduled updates. |
| Time zone gaps | Agree overlapping working hours for calls and urgent questions before you start. |
| Quality concerns | Review live websites they’ve built, not just screenshots, and check results. |
| Unclear scope and hidden costs | Get a detailed written scope, timeline and price before work begins. |
| Ownership and access | Make sure you own your domain, hosting, store and all accounts, and that code and designs are handed over. |
| Disappearing after launch | Agree post launch support, response times and maintenance costs up front. |
What about time zones?
Time zones are often the first worry, but they’re easier to manage than most people expect. As an example, Pakistan, where our team is based, is five hours ahead of the UK in winter and four hours ahead in summer, so there’s a big overlap with a normal UK working day. For the US East Coast, Pakistan is around nine to ten hours ahead, so many remote teams schedule calls for your morning and their evening, and finish work overnight so it’s ready when you start your day.
Whoever you hire, ask them directly: “What hours will you be available for calls, and how quickly do you reply to messages?”
How to choose an offshore web design agency
- Check their portfolio. Look for live work for clients in your country and industry. Visit the sites and test them on your phone.
- Look for real results. Good agencies talk about traffic, conversion rates and sales, not just pretty designs. You can see examples in our portfolio.
- Read reviews. Check Google reviews, Clutch, LinkedIn recommendations or speak to a past client.
- Test their communication. How quickly and clearly do they reply during the sales process? That’s usually the best it will ever be.
- Ask about their process. You should understand each stage, from discovery and design to development, testing and launch.
- Confirm SEO knowledge. A website that doesn’t rank won’t bring you customers. If you’re replacing an existing site, make sure they follow a process like our website redesign SEO checklist.
- Agree ownership and handover. Everything should be in your name and fully handed over when the project is paid.
- Start with a smaller project. If you’re unsure, begin with a landing page, audit or redesign of one section before committing to a large build.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who will actually work on my project, and will I have one main point of contact?
- What are your working hours in my time zone?
- Can I see live examples of similar projects?
- What exactly is included in the price, and what would cost extra?
- How do you handle revisions and changes?
- Who owns the design, code and accounts when the project ends?
- What support do you offer after launch, and how much does it cost?
What does outsourcing actually cost?
It depends on the project, but remote agencies typically cost far less than US and UK agencies for similar work. For detailed price ranges, read our guides to how much a Shopify store costs and how much SEO costs in 2026.
Is outsourcing right for your business?
Outsourcing works especially well if you:
- Want agency quality work but have a startup or small business budget
- Need a full team for design, development and marketing
- Are comfortable working through video calls, email and project tools
- Have a clear idea of what you want, or are happy to work through a structured discovery process
It may not be the best fit if you need someone in person at your office regularly, or if your project depends on very frequent face to face workshops.
Work with a remote team that feels local
Ace 360 Solutions designs and builds Shopify stores and custom WordPress websites, and runs SEO and ads for businesses in the US, UK and beyond. Ask us about our working hours, process and handover on a quick call, and you’ll know exactly how we’d work together before you commit. Learn more about our team or get a free quote for your project.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to outsource web design overseas?
Yes, if you choose carefully. Check the agency’s portfolio and reviews, get a written scope and contract, keep accounts in your own name and agree on ownership and handover before you start.
How do I communicate with an offshore agency?
Most remote agencies use video calls, email, WhatsApp or Slack and project management tools. Agree on regular update calls and a single point of contact.
Will an offshore agency understand my market?
A good one will. Look for experience with clients in your country, and make sure they research your customers and competitors during discovery.
How much can I save by outsourcing?
Savings vary by project and agency, but because US and UK agency rates are among the highest in the world, many businesses pay significantly less for comparable work by outsourcing.
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