If you know the value of an excellent design subscription package, you wouldn't want to waste your time with the wrong ones. To help you make that crucial decision, we compiled this checklist that can be useful in your search for the ideal design partner.
Know Your Requirements
Before exploring pricing plans or special features, it's beneficial to take a moment to understand the type of design your brand requires. This ensures that you won't pay for services you don't need or use. This step will also help you avoid paying for a service that can't keep up with your demands.
That said, there are two factors you need to assess: the type of design work and the frequency and volume. Will you be needing branding materials? Will you need social media graphics or custom illustrations? You also need to look into how many you'll need in a day, week, or month.
Assess Your Budget
Photo credit: Maitree Rimthong on PexelsDesign subscription services vary in pricing and packages. The cheapest option isn't always the right fit, but inexpensive also doesn't mean poor quality. Most of these services offer monthly and annual pricing, with the latter being the more cost-effective. If you can be sure that your design needs will stay consistent throughout the year, this is your best bet.
Furthermore, be aware of hidden charges, such as additional user seats or stock asset fees. Additionally, consider the ROI by comparing the cost to other design options.
Evaluate the Scope of Services
When you already understand what your requirements are, assessing a design subscription's scope of services will be easy. Find out what is included in a plan. Check for its core features, such as unlimited revisions, file formats, and whether they include specialized services like motion graphics and custom illustrations.
Not all design subscription services are equal. Some offer custom illustrations, some don't. Others offer video editing, while others provide motion graphics services. Check what you need and choose accordingly.
Review Expertise and Quality
Of course, we cannot overlook the quality of work we'll get with a design subscription service. Take a moment to evaluate a team's qualifications, creative range, and ability to deliver work that works with your brand. Check for the following:
- Designer qualifications
- Portfolio samples or case studies
- Style match and brand consistency
Remember that the best design subscription service is one that becomes an extension of your creative team.
Check Turnaround Time and Workflow
Photo credit: Cats Coming on PexelsSpeed and efficiency should be two of your top considerations. This avoids design bottlenecks and delays. And no one wants to get their designs tomorrow for a campaign launched yesterday. Check for the following:
- Average delivery time per request: Some will send you the draft within 24 to 48 hours, while some promise same-day delivery. Check if a service's speed aligns with your calendar and timelines.
- Revision cycles: Revisions are part of any design process. Ask about a service's revision policy and how many you are allowed to send for edits.
- Communication channels: Ask how they communicate with clients. Email, live chat, or a dedicated platform? Responsiveness is key to getting great designs.
- Project management tools: A good service dashboard is one that keeps your projects organized and well-managed. This is especially helpful for big teams that collaborate with team members.
Look Into Collaboration and Scalability
Every business aims to grow and expand, and when you do, your design subscription should follow suit. Check your service for multi-user access, the ability to scale up and down, and whether they provide support for agencies or offer white-label options. This will be useful when you add more members to your team, experience workload fluctuations, and have the choice to present designs under your own brand.
Consider Customer Support
Even the best of them can sometimes fall short. This is why reliable support should come with your design subscription service. This is especially crucial for businesses that often face tight deadlines and revisions that go off-schedule. Check whether the service you're eyeing offers support channels via email, live chat, or dedicated account managers.
Check for Trials and Cancellation Policies
Take advantage of free trials before signing on that dotted line. It pays to understand the terms that govern your commitment. Check for money-back guarantees and the length of their trials. It's also wise to check for the flexibility to pause or cancel your subscription. This ensures you won't be stuck paying for a service that will not be useful for you.
You should also check for a service's contract terms and renewal conditions. Always read the fine print to help you avoid unexpected charges.
Compare Providers
With the abundance of design subscription services today, finding the right fit can be a considerable challenge. To narrow down your options, below are three of the most popular choices:
- Penji: Has an intuitive dashboard, fast turnaround times, unlimited design requests, and revisions. Offers custom illustrations, brand identity packages, and supports multiple brands under one account.
- Design Pickle: Has tiered plans with access to motion graphics and presentations. Dedicated designer model and Zapier integration to automate workflows.
- Kimp: Affordable pricing with separate plans for videos and graphics. Offers unlimited video editing and graphic design.
For a quick look at these three design services, click on this link.
Summary of Checklist
Before making that commitment to a design service subscription, here's a quick checklist you can use:
- Clearly define your needs
- Evaluate your budget
- Understand what's included in the service scope
- Check for quality and style compatibility
- Confirm turnaround times
- Look for collaboration features and options for scalability
- Assess customer support responsiveness
- Check for free trials, cancellation terms, and renewal policies
- Compare providers
Conclusion
Choosing the right design service subscription can be difficult with the many factors you need to consider. However, note that it doesn't end with it being a financial decision, but rather a strategic one. The right design partner can help you grow your business, making the selection even more challenging. This checklist will help you pick the right one and reap the benefits of having a dependable design partner.
Cover photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels
