How To Budget For Design Projects As A Startup

Ever heard the saying, "Million dollar ideas for a 2 dollar budget"? Although, it might sound like a funny cliché, start-ups deal with this issue on a daily basis. You want to build a beautiful, responsive website for your customers but you don’t want to break the bank in doing so.

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As a startup, it can be difficult to budget for design projects. You want to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your money while presenting your brand in the best way possible. 

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Design is integral to any business's success, and ensuring you don’t skimp on it is key to setting yourself up for success. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your budget when completing design projects as a startup.

Know Your Goals & Set Timelines 

The first step in budgeting for design projects as a startup is to know your goals. What do you want to accomplish with these designs? Are you creating something that’s going to help with branding or marketing? 

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Do you need to focus on slides and presentations to present to investors? How about your customer experience and prioritizing UX/UI on your webage?

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Knowing exactly what you want from your designs will help you determine how much time and money should be allocated toward them. Additionally, setting timelines can also provide structure and focus, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. 

Hire Professionals 

When it comes to design projects, it can be tempting to try and save money by doing them yourself. You may even consider hiring someone who isn’t experienced in design work. However, this can often lead to mediocre results.

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Even worse, it could cost more in the long run if they need to be redone or fixed down the line. Hiring professionals may cost more upfront, but it pays off in terms of quality and reliability. Plus, many professionals offer flexible payment plans to make their services more affordable for smaller businesses. 

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For example, Awesomic is a subscription-based design service that can match you with your best-fit designer for any project. You can choose from three different monthly subscription plans that fit perfectly into your budget. 

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Once you are matched with a professional designer, you will receive an update on your design tasks within 24 hours or the next business day. You don’t become a unicorn start up without great designs, and hiring professional designers gives you more time to focus on other activities while saving money in the long run. 

Plan Ahead 

Planning ahead allows you to take advantage of discounts or bundle deals that may be available from different vendors or designers. 

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It also gives you enough time to research potential options in order to find the best fit for your project without breaking the bank. Finally, planning ahead gives everyone involved plenty of time, so they don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. 

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Tight deadlines can lead to mistakes or miscommunications down the line. Having a plan which outlines your business ideas and the visuals that match them is vital to long-term success.

Complete Your Design Projects Within Your Budget

Budgeting for design projects as a startup doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. When done correctly, it can be an incredibly effective way of getting maximum value out of your money while creating something amazing that will help your business succeed. 

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By keeping these tips in mind—knowing your goals & setting timelines, hiring professionals, and planning ahead—you’ll be able set yourself up for success when it comes time to budget for design projects as a startup. If you need help taking your design projects from concept to reality, try Awesomic. Book a demo right now to learn how!