How to Outsource a UI/UX Design: A Step-by-Step Guide

According to a Forrester survey, every $1 invested in UX design delivers an average return of $100. That’s a staggering 9,900% ROI.

Of course, the exact numbers depend on your industry, business size, and target audience. But this kind of return makes one thing clear: when you put user experience and user interface design first, you create digital products that attract users and keep them coming back.

In fact, UI/UX design goes far beyond making something “look nice.” It’s about creating intuitive, meaningful, and enjoyable interactions between your platform and the people using it.

A well-designed user interface ensures your site or app is easy to navigate, visually consistent, and logically structured. When users can quickly find what they need, they stay engaged longer, interact more, and are more likely to convert into loyal customers.

In other words, great design drives business growth.

If you’re planning to redesign your website or launch a new app, UI/UX designers should be a part of your team.

In this article, we’ll break down the benefits of UX design outsourcing, typical rates, potential hidden IT outsourcing costs, and practical tips for finding the right partner.

But before we dive in, you might also want to explore why IT outsourcing has become such a popular way to scale tech capabilities efficiently.

We have been providing UI/UX design services for startups and enterprises, and know what they are looking for when choosing an outsourcing design agency. This is what we have learned along the way.

Want to Elevate Your App's Design?

Transform your mobile app with our expert UI/UX design services tailored to your unique needs — contact us today to get started!

Learn more

Why Outsource UI/UX Design

A strong UI/UX design is essential for any digital product or service.

Take intuitive interfaces, for example. They make it easier for users to navigate, which boosts satisfaction and encourages them to return. When people can quickly find what they need and complete tasks without frustration, their retention rates naturally increase.

Now, let’s look at this design example. At first glance, the two options seem similar. But notice how the version on the left has two active buttons clustered together — this could easily confuse the user. In contrast, the design on the right is clean, straightforward, and easy to interact with.

Small details like these can make the difference between a smooth, enjoyable experience and one that drives users away.

You do not always need an in-house design team by your side to create a design that drives customer satisfaction. Finding and hiring specialists in-house takes time and effort, and we understand that.

That’s when you can contact an outsourcing UX/UI services provider. Outsourcing UI/UX design can bring several advantages to businesses.

Here are a few compelling reasons to consider outsourcing.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

The field of UX design is dynamic. Sometimes, it feels like new trends appear daily.

Frameworks like Angular, Vue, and React evolve rapidly.

If you keep an internal team, you should train them and keep them up-to-date on these trends, which requires significant effort and time.

With outsourcing, however, you take this burden off your shoulders.

You can now rely on external experts who stay on top of crucial mobile app UI/UX design trends, such as voice interfaces, unique illustrations, and advanced animations.

Whether you don’t have a dedicated UX specialist or your design team is stretched thin, outsourcing user interface and user experience tasks can be a smart move.

Focus on Core Business Activities

You and your team can finally focus on your core business goals when you delegate design tasks to specialists.

There is no need to allocate resources to build an in-house team. You can partner with external experts.

As a result of this strategic move, internal teams are able to concentrate on innovation, growth, and other crucial business functions.

Cost Efficiency

If you decide to outsource UX design to an external vendor, it can significantly reduce operating costs.

Here is why.

When you hire specialists in-house, it usually comes with recruitment, salaries, benefits, and infrastructure expenses.

With outsourcing, you can eliminate and even avoid these overhead costs.

Additionally, external teams often work on a project basis. This allows you to pay only for the services you need.

As a result, you can see improvements in financial management.

Risk Mitigation

Hiring external specialists also means mitigating risks associated with internal resource limitations, skill gaps, and project management challenges.

External UX design companies can handle various aspects of the design process. This translates into smoother execution.

Outsourcing is like a safety net. Especially when you outsource large-scale projects, like mobile app design services, or deal with tight deadlines.

You can leverage external talent to enhance user experiences, conduct user research, and utilize innovative solutions to drive better outcomes in the competitive marketplace.

When to Outsource UI/UX Design?

Outsourcing user experience and user interface design tasks can be a smart decision in many scenarios. Here are key situations when outsourcing makes sense:

1. Limited In-House Expertise

If your team lacks UI/UX designers or lacks experience in user-centered design, engage external specialists. This will help you deliver exceptional user experiences without the need for hiring full-time specialists.

2. Tight Deadlines or Scaling Quickly

When you launch a new product, website, or app on a tight schedule, working with an external agency makes sense. They can provide a full team of designers and researchers to accelerate development, create user flows, and provide valuable insights in a short time.

3. Need for Fresh Perspectives

Internal teams may develop biases over time. Outsourcing brings an outside viewpoint, innovative solutions, and industry best practices.

4. Cost Efficiency

Hiring full-time UI/UX designers can be expensive (salaries, benefits, training). User experience design outsourcing offers flexible pricing options (project-based or retainer) and provides access to top talent at lower costs.

5. Specialized Expertise Required

If your project needs niche expertise, such as mobile app UX, AR/VR interfaces, or accessibility compliance, outsourcing connects you with the right specialists.

6. User Research & Testing Needs

If you lack resources for proper user interviews, usability testing, user journey mapping, or data analysis, an agency can handle end-to-end research to validate designs.

7. Maintaining Focus on Core Business

Founders, developers, and marketers should focus on strategy and growth. Outsourcing UI/UX allows experts to handle design while you focus on business goals.

When Not to Outsource?

Despite the numerous benefits that the UX/UI design outsourcing brings to the table, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There is no need to outsource UI/UX design services if you:

• Have a strong in-house team with all the specialized skills you need.
• Run highly confidential or proprietary projects that require close internal oversight.
• Need only real-time collaboration, and outsourced UX designers would slow down communication.

What Design Tasks Can You Delegate?

Whether you need branding, digital assets, or print materials, a professional design agency can handle a wide range of creative projects. Here are some common design and research-related tasks you can delegate:

Category	Design & research tasks
Branding	Logo design, brand identity, style guides, business cards, letterheads
Digital design	Website UI/UX, social media graphics, email templates, app interfaces
Print design	Brochures, flyers, posters, packaging design, banners
Marketing assets	Infographics, presentations, ad designs (digital & print), promotional visuals
Illustration	Custom illustrations, icons, character design, and editorial graphics
User research	User interviews, surveys, competitor analysis, and persona development
User feedback	Usability feedback collection, A/B testing analysis, customer journey mapping
Usability testing	Prototype testing, task-based usability studies, heatmap analysis, accessibility audits

4 Steps To Outsource UI/UX Design

Now that you know what types of design work you can delegate to third-party specialists, let’s see how to find a reliable partner you can delegate all these tasks to.

Here are four steps to outsourcing the UI/UX design team.

These tips are based on our 10+ years of collaboration with multiple businesses.

We hope that this information will help you find a perfect match.

Define Project Scope and Requirements

Clearly articulate the objectives, scope, and specific requirements of your UI/UX design project.

This includes identifying target audience demographics, desired features, technical specifications, and any other important details.

Want inspiration for your website? Check out these examples of good web design for ideas.

For example, when we collaborated with a real estate platform, the top priority task was designing a visually stunning website that would make a lasting impression on visitors and effectively convey their brand identity.

They needed a design partner who had experience working with startups and could offer valuable advice and best practices.

On top of that, factors like clear communication and cost-efficiency were crucial as well.

Check out the case study to see how we’ve met those needs and how the collaboration turned out.

Research and Evaluate Outsourcing Partners

Do thorough research to find outsourcing partners who have the right experience and skills in UI/UX design.

Evaluate factors such as portfolio quality, client testimonials, industry reputation, and cultural compatibility.

Conduct Portfolio Reviews and Testing

At this point, you need to review the portfolios of the shortlisted agencies.

Make sure you examine their previous projects on Behance or Dribbble.

Analyze their design style. See if it matches your brand aesthetic.

Evaluate if they prioritize user experience in their design solutions or are just chasing an aesthetic look.

Additionally, you can conduct usability testing on their sample websites to assess functionality and responsiveness.

Don’t know what features to look at? According to Clutch, there are 7 top features that are crucial for users.

These are:

• easy navigation
• descriptions of products and services
• visuals
• good-looking design
• links to social media
• about us/company team page
• company blog

Make sure you evaluate these designs when looking for a team.

If you want to elevate your web design with the right partner, here’s how to choose a web design company for your project.

Launch Collaboration and Monitor KPIs

Once you’ve selected the outsourcing partner, launch the collaboration.

Outline your business goals, set up desired project deliverables, and KPIs.

Monitor and monitor them to evaluate their effectiveness and impact.

Track metrics such as user engagement, desired user behavior, retention rates, conversion rates, and user satisfaction to measure success and identify areas for improvement.

UI/UX Design Outsourcing Rates And Hidden Costs

Many UI/UX design service providers or freelancers charge hourly rates or project-based fees.

Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the designer’s experience, location, and expertise level.

When it comes to budget predictability, project-based pricing is often preferred, but it requires a clear scope definition to prevent scope creep.

On platforms like Clutch, where UX/UI design agencies are reviewed, the cost of UX design services typically ranges from a few thousand dollars to several tens of thousands.

The average cost for UX/UI design projects reviewed on Clutch falls within these brackets:

• <$10,000
• $10,000 – $49,999
• $50,000 – $199,999
• >$200,000

Factors that influence the cost are project scale, web design and development support, the scope of services, and team location.

For example, outsourcing digital design services from Ukraine will be much cheaper than racing out to American or British specialists. At the same time, the level of Ukrainian designers’ expertise will be the same or even higher.

Check out the cost breakdown:

If you want to elevate your brand with the right partner, here’s how to choose a web design company for your project.

Hourly Rates for Specific UX Services

Here are some common services and their average hourly rates:

If you are building a mobile app and want to learn more about design prices in this field, check out this article on calculating app design budget.

Elevate Your Design with SpdLoad

Check out our UX/UI design services

Talk to us

Is your app in need of a refresh? Discover how to redesign an app for better performance and aesthetics.

What are the Hidden Costs to Be Aware of?

If the scope of work is not clear, misunderstandings or changes can happen, and that means hidden costs.

Freelancers may charge hidden fees for file transfers, software licenses, or 3rd party tools.

If you work with an outsourcing services provider, these costs are not your problem. They are all covered by the outsourcing company.

To avoid hidden costs and be transparent, you should:

• Define project requirements, deliverables, and timelines in a detailed contract or agreement.
• Discuss additional costs upfront, revisions, extra services, like user testing, or unexpected project complexities.
• Get a breakdown of costs and any hidden fees before signing the contract.
• Keep communication open throughout the project to address any concerns or changes.

Remember, investing in UX/UI design is investing in your users and your business.

Choose wisely to create delightful experiences!

Want to improve your healthcare IT infrastructure? Learn the benefits of healthcare IT outsourcing in this comprehensive guide.

What are Red and Green Flags When Choosing a UI/UX Design Agency?

Here’s a little back story:

Recently, we have been working on a mobile and web app design for DoorKita. It’s a startup that offers digital healthcare services for emerging markets.

Their platform combines telemedicine, e-prescriptions, lab test bookings, and in-home health services into a single, easy-to-use ecosystem. Since the app is used by people of all ages, from tech-savvy young adults to elderly patients with limited digital skills, our biggest challenge as an outsourced design team was to design an intuitive, accessible, and trustworthy user interface.

We had to balance medical seriousness with a friendly, approachable look, simplify complex workflows without losing functionality. All while making sure the design could adapt as new features were added.

Working on DoorKita reminded us how much the success of a product depends on choosing the right UI/UX design partner. A good agency will dig deep into your users’ needs, anticipate accessibility challenges, and adapt quickly when requirements change. The wrong one might overlook these nuances, leading to confusing navigation, inconsistent visuals, or an inaccessible interface that alienates users.

That’s why, before you outsource UI design, it’s worth knowing the green flags that signal you’re in good hands and the red flags that should make you think twice. Here are the main of them to notice:

🚩 Red Flags

There are warning signs to avoid.

1. No Portfolio or Weak Case Studies

Avoid agencies that can’t show past work or provide vague examples without measurable results. They can’t show any user testing data or even before/after comparisons.

The well-rounded case studies should detail:

• The client’s challenge
• Their design process
• Outcomes

Always ask to see projects similar to yours in complexity and industry

2. Lack of User Research Focus

If they jump straight into visuals without discussing user personas, journey mapping, or usability testing, the chances are that they prioritize aesthetics over functionality.

What to ask:
“How will you research our users’ needs before designing?”
“What methods do you use to test your designs?”

3. Overpromising (e.g., “We’ll Fix Everything in 2 Weeks!”)

Good UI/UX takes time.

Check for these common red flags when talking to the agency:

• “We’ll redesign your entire app in 1 week!”
• Guarantees specific performance metrics without research
• Claims they don’t need user testing

Even simple projects need a project discovery phase, iterative testing, and time for revisions.

4. No Clear Process or Methodology

Chaos leads to missed deadlines and poor quality. If they cannot explain:

• Their standard workflow phases
• How they handle revisions
• Who your main point of contact will be
• What tools they use (Figma, Maze, Hotjar, etc.)

They might be just wasting your time.

5. Communication Barriers & Poor Transparency

You’ll regret this when deadlines loom. Test them early:

• Note response times to initial inquiries
• Ask about their standard communication channels
• Request their typical availability hours (especially for overseas agencies)

Dealbreakers:

• Takes >24 hours to respond during the evaluation phase
• Unwilling to sign an NDA
• Vague about team structure

6. One-Size-Fits-All Solutions

Your business is unique. So, make sure the design agency does not use templated work that lacks individuality. Here’s how to spot one:

• Their portfolio has very similar-looking projects
• They immediately suggest “standard” solutions without understanding your needs
• Can’t explain why they’d approach your project differently

7. No Post-Launch Support

UX is never “done.” There is always room for improvement and updates when your business grows or reaches a new point. Ask the design team:

• Do they offer analytics review after launch?
• Will they help interpret user behavior data?
• Is there an option for ongoing optimization?

An ideal answer might sound like: “We recommend scheduling a usability review 3 months post-launch.”

✅ Green Flags

These are signs you’ve come across a good agency:

1. Strong Portfolio with Real-World Impact

A strong UI/UX agency has a portfolio that proves its designs work in the real world. Their case studies include before-and-after examples, clear business results, and insights from user testing.

You’ll often see client testimonials that back up their work. Pro tip: ask if you can speak directly with past clients to hear about their experience.

2. User-Centered Approach

If their first questions are about your users, not your brand colors, it’s a green flag.

See if they mention different research methods, such as:
✓ User interviews
✓ Card sorting
✓ Usability testing
✓ Analytics review

3. Transparent Process & Collaboration

A good UI/UX agency works with a clear and transparent process. They share a project roadmap so you know what will happen and when.

They use collaborative tools like Figma, Miro, or UserTesting to keep you involved. They also set clear expectations for feedback, revisions, and approvals.

4. Expertise in Your Industry or Niche

Experience in your sector means they understand user expectations and can easily identify pain points of your target audience.

Ask for examples of similar projects. For more insights, you can quiz them on your industry’s unique challenges, industry-specific regulations, and users’ mental models.

5. Data-Driven Design Decisions

In conversation, they bring things like A/B testing strategies, analytics integration, accessibility standards, and performance metrics.

You can ask:
“How will we measure the success of this design?”

6. Clear Contracts & Scalable Pricing

Healthy signs are when they offer multiple engagement models (fixed-price projects, retainers, hourly consulting, etc).

When discussing the project, they clearly define what’s included/excluded in the price. Also, it is a good sign when they agree to start with a pilot project if you want to evaluate their technical skills first.

7. Post-Launch Optimization & Support

Best-in-class partners understand that UX is iterative. They propose:
✓ Post-launch usability testing
✓ Analytics reviews
✓ Quarterly UX audits

Why Outsource UX/UI Design To SpdLoad?

Superior UX sets a product apart in a crowded market.

Users compare experiences across different apps and websites.

A delightful and efficient interaction can make a product stand out, attracting more users and retaining existing ones.

Here’s where SPDLoad’s UX/UI designers can help.

We will ensure that all of your digital products deliver a seamless user experience that meets their expectations.

You can trust our UX designers to understand your business and hit your goals while staying within your budget and deadline.

The benefit of collaborating with us is that we bring fresh perspectives and industry experience to the table.

Besides, we are pretty flexible when collaborating, so you can always adjust cooperation terms and team size as needed.

Tell us about your project, and we will help you create high-quality UI/UX design tailored to your needs.

Knowing the average time to create a website can help you set practical launch expectations.