Should You Hire a Web Graphic Designer?

You only get one shot at a first impression. That’s why you need website design that not only looks good but actually works.

Many businesses discover this the hard way. They hire a general designer, get beautiful mockups, and then watch their web designer or developer struggle to implement them while maintaining functionality. 

That’s where web graphic designers come in. These specialists understand both visual appeal and technical web constraints—a combination that can make or break your digital presence. 

Whether you’re launching a new site, rebranding your online presence, or trying to fix conversion issues, knowing when you need this specific expertise can save you thousands in rework and missed opportunities.

What Is a Web Graphic Designer?

A web graphic designer is a specialist graphic designer who creates visual elements specifically for websites and digital platforms. 

While a general graphic designer might create assets for print materials, packaging, or various marketing collateral, a web graphic designer specializes in designing for screens. 

They understand how to:

• Create visuals that will look consistent across different devices and browsers
• Design with web performance in mind (like optimizing image sizes without sacrificing quality)
• Work within the constraints of HTML, CSS, and other web technologies
• Design interactive elements that enhance user experience
• Create visual hierarchies that guide users through a digital journey

It’s crucial to understand that web designers and web graphic designers serve fundamentally different functions, despite how often people confuse them.

A web designer operates more like an architect, focusing on the responsiveness, accessibility, and usability of a website. They sometimes work in basic coding (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) or work with a developer, ensuring your site is responsive across devices and delivers a solid user experience.

A web graphic designer, on the other hand, is more like a visual artist for the web. They create the aesthetic elements that give your site personality and appeal—logos, icons, illustrations, banners, and visual styles that align with your brand. They work primarily with tools like Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and Figma rather than coding languages.

Many companies hire a web designer by default, assuming it will cover all their design needs (and sometimes it does). But without the specialized visual expertise of a web graphic designer, your site might be functional but lack the polished, professional look that builds trust with visitors.

In larger organizations, these roles typically remain separate, with web designers and web graphic designers collaborating on projects. Smaller businesses might find professionals who handle both aspects, though they’re usually stronger in one area than the other.

When You Should Consider Hiring a Web Graphic Designer

Knowing exactly when you need a web graphic designer versus other design professionals can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

When to choose a web graphic designer over a general graphic designer

If your project is exclusively digital, a web graphic designer is your best bet.

While both roles involve visual design, here’s when the specialist makes sense:

• You’re focused on digital-only projects: When your work is specifically for websites, web apps, or online marketing, a web graphic designer brings specialized knowledge that general designers often lack.
• Site performance matters to you: Web graphic designers know how to create visuals that load quickly without sacrificing quality. They’ll deliver compressed SVGs and web-friendly PNGs instead of massive files that slow down your site.
• You need UI elements: For custom buttons, navigation menus, and interactive elements, web graphic designers create components that align with modern UI/UX trends and actually work in a browser.

Remember, if you’re mainly working on print media, branding packages, or physical advertising materials, a general graphic designer might be the better fit.

When to hire a web graphic designer instead of a web designer

Many companies default to hiring a web designer, but in these scenarios, a web graphic designer is actually the smarter choice:

• Your site structure is already set: When you’ve got wireframes and layouts finalized, but the site looks bland, a web graphic designer can transform the user experience through visuals.
• You’re using a website builder: If you’re building on Webflow, Squarespace, or Wix, the structure is largely predetermined. A web graphic designer will create custom visuals that make your site stand out from others using the same platform.
• Visual storytelling is a priority: When you need custom illustrations, infographics, or engaging visuals that communicate your brand story, web graphic designers excel at creating these assets.

When a web graphic designer isn’t the right choice

Being clear about when not to hire a web graphic designer is just as important:

• You need full website structure and design: If you need someone to design the entire website structure from scratch, you’re better off with a web designer.
• Your project requires extensive technical work: If you need extensive coding, UX research, or complex functionality, hire a web designer or developer instead.
• You’re working on comprehensive branding: For comprehensive branding or rebranding projects (logos, brochures, packaging), hiring a general graphic designer is typically the better choice.

How to Find Web Graphic Designers to Work With

Finding the right web graphic designer depends largely on the scope and duration of your project, as well as your budget. 

Here are your main options:

Recruitment or staffing agencies

For long-term needs or complex projects, working with a specialized recruitment agency can be the most efficient approach. These agencies have already vetted candidates for skills and experience, saving you significant time in the hiring process.

Agencies can help you find:

• Full-time, in-house designers for ongoing needs
• Remote talent, including international designers who may offer competitive rates compared to US-based hires
• Professionals with very specific skill sets or industry experience

The advantage here is quality and reliability—you’ll get pre-screened candidates who match your requirements exactly.

See our article on the 25 best recruitment agencies for hiring graphic design talent for information on choosing a recruitment agency and a list of companies to consider. 

Freelance platforms

For one-off projects or smaller tasks, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or 99designs can connect you with freelance web graphic designers around the world.

These platforms work well when:

• You have a clearly defined, limited-scope project
• You’re working with a tight timeline
• You want to compare multiple designers’ styles and rates

The key to success with freelance platforms is writing a detailed project brief and reviewing portfolios carefully before making a selection.

Job boards

Traditional job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn can help you find web graphic designers looking for permanent or contract positions. This approach requires more screening on your part, but it may help you find local talent if that’s important for your workflow.

Design agencies

If you need a team of design professionals rather than a single designer, working with a design agency might be your best bet. Agencies provide a full suite of services, including project management and quality assurance.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Web Graphic Designer

To ensure you find the right fit for your project, ask prospective web graphic designers these interview questions:

1. What experience do you have with responsive design? This will reveal whether they understand how to create designs that work across different screen sizes.
2. Can you walk me through your process when designing for the web? Look for mentions of user experience, performance considerations, and collaboration with developers.
3. What web-specific constraints do you consider in your design work? Their answer should demonstrate knowledge of loading times, browser compatibility, and other technical limitations.
4. Do you have experience with any specific content management systems? If you use WordPress, Shopify, or another CMS, it’s helpful if they understand the design parameters of these systems.
5. How do you collaborate with web designers and developers? Their answer will tell you whether they understand the implementation side of web design.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a web graphic designer can transform your digital presence, turning a basic website into an engaging, conversion-focused asset for your business. The key is understanding when you need this specialized skill set and how to find the right talent for your specific requirements.

Whether you choose to work with a local designer or a freelancer or explore hiring a remote web graphic designer, the important thing is finding someone who understands both visual design and the unique constraints of the web.

But if you want to streamline your search for qualified web graphic designers, Near can help. We connect US businesses with top design talent from Latin America. Our pre-vetted candidates work during your business hours, understand US design standards, and can help you create web visuals that both look great and perform well, all while potentially saving you 30–70% compared to US hiring costs.

Book a free consultation to discuss how we can help you find the perfect web graphic designer for your project.