UPDATE: As I researched this article, I found it hard to actually find local websites that showed up in Google that were actually local. This is a common thing lately in just about every industry. Search for a local realtor and you’ll get Zillow, look for a home services contractor and you get Angie’s List, search for a dentist and you get Aspen, search for a website company in Newark, Ohio and you get a website company that says they are in Newark, Ohio but are actually in Philadelphia. Don’t be a sucker.
Giant, globally controlled corporations that don’t give a shit about local. Google gives them preference because of many things, mainly the ad spend.
I’m just ranting but wanting you to know this is the game. What is it they say? “Don’t hate the player, hate the game”. And the game is rigged, make sure you hire the local guys that are actually local. If that’s your thing. Are there real people on their own site, or just things like “contact our team”?…
The more you know.
/end rant.
Trying to find someone to build a website for your Columbus, Ohio, business can feel like a real puzzle. You might worry it’s too hard or costs too much, but it’s way easier than you think! Getting a great website that brings in new customers is totally possible, especially when you find the right people to help. A good website is like your best salesperson, working day and night to show everyone in Columbus, Newark, and Licking County how awesome your business is. It helps home service pros get more calls and other businesses look super professional online.
This guide makes things easy. We’ve put together a simple list of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus Ohio, so you can find your perfect match without any stress. We’ll give you the inside scoop on each one, with pictures and links, to help you make a smart choice. As you start looking for the right helper, learning how to increase your online presence can also help you win in the long run.
Our goal is to make this simple and clear, so you can pick a partner and get back to running your business. You can do this! Let’s find the right team to help you grow.
1. The Cherubini Company (we are biased! 🤣)
The Cherubini Company is a great choice among the top 10 website design companies around Columbus, Ohio, especially if you want a website that does more than just look nice. This family-owned team, started way back in 1998, focuses on turning your website into a tool that brings in real customers and money. They don’t just build websites; they build machines that get you leads.
What makes them special is how much they care about what actually helps a small business grow. Instead of confusing tech talk, co-founder Angie Cherubini works right with you. There are no receptionists or go-betweens, just clear, simple advice from an expert who gets it. It’s like having a cheat code for your business! Family owned, family run.
Why The Cherubini Company Stands Out
The Cherubini Company’s way of doing things is refreshingly simple. They build custom WordPress websites with one big goal: getting people to do something. This means every site has built-in tools that matter most for local businesses.
- Click-to-Call Buttons: Makes it super easy for customers on their phones to call you with one tap.
- Lead Capture Forms: Simple forms that help you get contact info from people who want to hire you.
- Customer Reviews: Showing off your best reviews to build trust right away.
Beyond websites, their Super Simple Ads program is a game-changer. It takes the headache out of running Facebook and Google ads. Whether you want to do it yourself with their help, work together, or have them do it all, they make ads easy and effective. You get more visitors and leads without throwing money away on stuff that doesn’t work.
Best For: Businesses That Want Results, Not Gibberish
This team is a perfect fit for home service pros, expert firms, and local shops who need their phones to ring and their inboxes to be full. If you’re tired of marketing that feels like a puzzle and want a clear path to getting more customers, The Cherubini Company delivers. They also offer coaching and tools like the Local Business Growth Scorecard to help you know exactly what to do to grow.
| Key Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Experience | Over 27 years in business with 469+ happy customers. |
| Service Model | Family-owned with direct access to founders Pat and Angie Cherubini. |
| Website Focus | WordPress sites built to get leads, with marketing tools included. |
| Ad Management | Easy-to-use “Super Simple Ads” program for everyone. |
| Extra Resources | Business coaching, growth scorecards, and a friendly community. |
Pros:
- They’ve been doing this for almost 30 years and know what works.
- You get to talk directly to the experts—no runaround.
- Websites are built from the ground up to get you leads and sales.
- Ad programs are flexible and made for busy business owners.
Cons:
- They focus on small and medium-sized local businesses, so they might not be right for giant companies or e-commerce.
Website: https://cherubinicompany.com
2. Clutch
Instead of just one company, imagine a giant, trusted catalog where you can compare many of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio, all in one spot. That’s what Clutch is. It’s not a design company itself, but a powerful tool that collects real, honest reviews from past customers. This lets you see what people really thought about working with a web designer before you even call them.
The information is great but it is just a yellow pages for web agencies. When you search for website designers in Newark, it returns companies in California. Not really relevant but hey, I included it anyway. 😎
What makes Clutch so helpful is how much detail it gives you. You’re not just looking at a simple star rating. You can read full interviews with past clients, see how much projects cost, and learn what problems the company solved. It’s like getting a recommendation from a friend, but for tons of companies at once! Small businesses can use this tool to find a team that fits their budget and goals, which is a key part of making a smart website design choice for small businesses.
Why Clutch is a Go-To Resource
Clutch stands out by organizing its info with a “Leaders Matrix.” This handy chart shows companies that have paid to be in on their website (boo) based on what they’re good at and if they get good results. It’s a fast, visual way to spot the real experts in the Columbus area.
- Real Reviews: The Clutch team often talks to clients directly, so the reviews are super detailed and you can trust them.
- Clear Pricing: Most pages list a starting price (like $1,000+) and an average hourly rate. This helps you quickly skip over companies that are too expensive.
- Easy Filtering: You can sort companies by what they do best (like online stores or WordPress), price, and location.
Pro Tip: Don’t just look at the “Featured” companies at the top. Those are paid ads. Scroll down to see the real rankings to find some hidden gems with awesome reviews.
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Varies by company; shows hourly rates (e.g., $100 – $149/hr) and minimum project costs. |
| Best For | Small businesses who want to compare a bunch of good companies based on real, detailed client reviews. |
| Unique Offering | The Leaders Matrix and real, interview-based reviews that are way more than just a star rating. |
| Website | https://clutch.co/web-designers/columbus |
3. UpCity
Think of UpCity as a special marketplace made to connect you with trusted helpers, including some of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio. It’s more than just a list; it’s a site built to help you find a reliable partner you can feel good about. UpCity uses a special “Recommendability Rating” to score companies, giving you a quick way to see who is not only good at their job but also nice to work with.
For a small business owner in Columbus, UpCity’s focus on clear pricing is a huge plus. Many company pages clearly say their starting project price (like under $5,000). This practical info saves you time by letting you focus on the companies that are a good fit for your wallet. You can quickly narrow down your options and avoid the awkward “so, how much can you spend?” talk until you’re ready.
Why UpCity is a Go-To Resource
UpCity stands out with its signs of trust, like “Best of” and “Excellence” awards, which are shown right on the company pages. These badges are like a helpful shortcut, letting you instantly spot companies that are known for their great work and happy customers. It’s like getting a stamp of approval before you even click.
- Helpful Budget Filters: It’s easy to find local designers who work with small business budgets, with many pages listing project costs under $5,000.
- Trust at a Glance: Awards and badges help you quickly find the best-performing companies in the Columbus area.
- Fresh Profiles: You can see when a company last updated their page, letting you know who is active and ready for new work.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the “provider updated” date on a profile. A recently updated page often means the company is looking for new clients and keeps its info current, which is a great sign!
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Clearly lists starting project costs (e.g., $1,000+, $5,000+) and monthly fees when they have them. |
| Best For | Small businesses looking for good prices and quick signs of trust like awards and ratings. |
| Unique Offering | The “Recommendability Rating” and visible awards that make it easier to find good partners. |
| Website | https://upcity.com/web-design/columbus-oh |
4. The Manifest
If Clutch feels like a giant book, think of The Manifest as the quick-start guide. It’s a sister site to Clutch that makes fast, easy-to-read lists of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio, and other places. Instead of long reviews, The Manifest gives you a quick look at each company, making it perfect for when you’re just starting and want to see who’s out there. Again, another pay to be listed website, soooo…. I only found this after digging deep and actually never heard of it before now. Good info but mainly a yellow pages of ads.
The site is built for speed. In just a few seconds, you can see what a company focuses on, its starting project price, team size, and location. This is super helpful for busy small business owners who need to quickly make a short list of helpers. Once you find a company that looks good, you can click “View Profile” for more info or “Visit Site” to check them out directly. It makes the first step of your search super easy.
Why The Manifest is a Great Starting Point
The Manifest is great at giving you an overview without making you feel overwhelmed. It shows you the most important facts right away, so you can see if a company’s price and services match what you need. It’s the perfect tool for quickly gathering names before you start doing deeper research.
- Info at a Glance: Key details like ratings, price ranges (e.g., $10,000+), and company size are easy to see.
- Quick Buttons: The “Visit Site” and “View Profile” buttons make it simple to take the next step without getting lost.
- More Than Just Websites: It often includes lists for other creative services, which is useful if you need more than just web design.
- Trustworthy Info: Since it gets its info from Clutch, you know the facts are solid and the same on both sites.
Pro Tip: Use The Manifest to build your first big list of possible companies. Once you have 5-10 names, head over to Clutch to read the detailed, real reviews for those companies to help you choose.
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Varies by company; clearly shows starting project costs (e.g., $1,000+, $5,000+) to help you filter. |
| Best For | Business owners who want a fast, high-level look at available companies before doing a deep dive. |
| Unique Offering | Simple, easy-to-scan lists that give you the key facts for a quick first look. |
| Website | https://themanifest.com/web-design/agencies/columbus |
5. DesignRush
Think of DesignRush as another great online marketplace where you can easily find and compare some of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio. It’s not a design company itself but a website that lists over 50 local web designers, with reviews, hourly rates, and links to their past work. This makes it a great place for any small business owner to start looking for the right partner without feeling lost.
What makes DesignRush really helpful is its focus on price. It gives you an idea of what website projects cost across Ohio, so you know what to expect before you even start making calls. This helps you plan your money wisely. The site is also great for local businesses because it’s a simple way to see a company’s work and check that they are real, which helps you build a strong local name online and works well with efforts to optimize your Google Business Profile.
Why DesignRush is a Smart Research Tool
DesignRush stands out by keeping its information fresh and easy to understand. Each company page often shows when it was last updated, so you know you’re looking at current info. The direct links to company websites and their work let you jump right in to see if their style matches what you want. It’s like window shopping for your perfect web design team.
- Statewide Price Info: Get an idea of what projects usually cost across Ohio, helping you set a good budget.
- Easy-to-Use Filters: Quickly narrow your search by price, team size, special skills (like WordPress or online stores), and client reviews.
- Go Straight to Their Work: Click right through to see a company’s past projects, saving you time and effort.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the “Last Updated” date on the pages. Newer profiles often mean a company is actively looking for new clients and is likely to get back to you faster.
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Varies by company; lists hourly rates (e.g., $100 – $149/hr) and gives general Ohio cost ideas. |
| Best For | Business owners who want a quick, filterable look at many local companies with a focus on price guidance. |
| Unique Offering | The mix of local company lists with statewide price info and clearly dated updates. |
| Website | https://www.designrush.com/agency/website-design-development/ohio/columbus |
6. GoodFirms
Think of GoodFirms as a super-smart helper that helps you find your perfect web design match in Columbus. It’s not a design company but a powerful list that ranks companies based on things like Quality, Reliability, and Ability. This smart approach helps you look past fancy pictures and understand who can really do a great job, making it a valuable tool for finding one of the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio.
What makes GoodFirms great for small business owners is how it shows information. Each company page is a quick snapshot, showing what they do, how big their team is, and those all-important price hints like hourly rates and minimum project costs. This lets you quickly sort through possible partners and find a team that feels right for your business. The site makes the big job of finding help feel simple and easy.
Why GoodFirms is a Smart Starting Point
GoodFirms stands out with its clear, research-based ranking system. You’ll often see “updated” notes on pages, so you know the info is fresh. This takes some of the guesswork out of your search and helps you build a solid short list of companies to call.
- Smart Comparison: The “Quality, Reliability, and Ability” grades give you a steady way to check out different companies.
- Price Clarity: Pages clearly state starting project costs (e.g., $1,000+) and average hourly rates, so you can avoid wasting time on companies you can’t afford.
- Lots of Choices: The list includes all kinds of companies, from small shops to bigger teams, making it great for new and growing businesses.
Pro Tip: While GoodFirms gives a great overview, always click through to a company’s actual website. Look for real examples of their work and what past clients have said to make sure they are as good as their profile says.
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Varies by company; clearly shows hourly rates (e.g., $50 – $99/hr) and minimum project costs. |
| Best For | New and small businesses looking for a smart, fact-based way to compare a lot of Columbus companies. |
| Unique Offering | Its special ranking method and “updated” notes that show you the info is new. |
| Website | https://www.goodfirms.co/directory/city/top-web-design-companies/columbus |
7. Expertise.com
If giant lists feel like too much, think of Expertise.com as your personal, hand-picked list. Instead of showing you every possible choice, this site does the hard work by checking and choosing a smaller, easier-to-handle list of the top website design companies in Columbus, Ohio. They look at local companies on over 25 different points and even do secret shopper calls to make sure the quality is great.
This way of doing things saves you a ton of time. You get a pre-checked list of trustworthy local experts without having to look through hundreds of pages yourself. For small business owners, this is a huge help. You can trust that the companies listed have already passed a tough quality check, letting you focus on finding the right creative fit. A great website should do more than just look pretty; it needs to bring in customers, which is a key part of a good lead generation marketing strategy.
Why Expertise.com is a Go-To Resource
Expertise.com stands out because of its clear and tough selection process. They aren’t just collecting reviews; they are actively grading each business to present a “best of” list. This gives you confidence that you’re starting your search with high-quality choices right from the start.
- Hand-Picked Choices: Their team researches and checks out providers, so you only see the ones that meet their high standards for skill and customer service.
- Clear Method: They clearly explain how they score businesses, which builds trust in their picks.
- Quick Contact Info: All the phone numbers and emails are easy to find, so you can reach out to your top choices without any trouble.
Pro Tip: Use Expertise.com as your starting point to create a “short list.” Once you have two or three favorites, you can then dig deeper by checking their websites and asking for references from past clients.
Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Varies by company; you must contact the companies directly for prices. |
| Best For | Busy business owners who want a pre-checked, high-quality list of local designers to save time. |
| Unique Offering | A hand-picked, “best of” list based on a 25-point internal scoring system and secret shopping. |
| Website | https://www.expertise.com/business/web-design/ohio/columbus |
Top 7 Website Design Company Ratings Comparison
| Item | How Hard Is It? 🔄 | What Do You Need? ⚡ | What Can You Expect? 📊 | Who Is It For? 💡 | What’s the Best Part? ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cherubini Company (local) | A little work — custom services, website, ads | Medium — expert talks, custom sites, ad programs | High — more leads, visitors, and money | Small to mid-sized local businesses needing personal marketing help | 27+ years of experience, talk to the founder, easy ad options |
| Clutch (not local) |
Easy — it’s a list with reviews | Low — user reviews and company info | Medium — helps you pick a good company | Businesses wanting to see a lot of Columbus choices | Real client reviews, clear price ranges, Leaders chart |
| UpCity (not local) |
Easy — a list with ratings | Low — has lists and price hints | Medium — great for seeing prices and awards | Small businesses watching their budget | Budget filters, “recommendability” ratings, award badges |
| The Manifest (not local) |
Super Easy — quick lists | Super Low — very little effort | Low to Medium — for a quick first look | People just starting to look for a company | Super fast way to find names, works with Clutch |
| DesignRush (not local) |
Easy — lists with price filters | Low — a list with price info | Medium — helps with budgeting and finding good work | Clients who want to know Ohio prices | Statewide price info, lists are updated often |
| GoodFirms (not local) |
A little work — detailed ratings | Low — uses research and company info | Medium — compare companies on quality and skill | Buyers wanting smart, research-based company info | The “Quality, Reliability, Ability” rating, lots of choices |
| Expertise.com (not local) |
A little work — hand-picked and secret-shopped | Medium — a deep check-up process | High — a short list of trusted pros | Buyers wanting a smaller list of top-notch companies | They explain their method, secret shopping proves quality |
You’ve Got This! Let’s Get Your Awesome Website Started
Whew! We’ve covered a lot, looking at some of the best ways to find the top 10 website design companies in Columbus, Ohio. You’ve seen that there are great tools like Clutch, UpCity, and Expertise.com that can help you sort through your options if you want a non local to build your local website. But looking at a big list can feel like trying to choose a single donut from a dozen delicious choices—it can be tough!
The good news is, you now know enough to make a smart decision. You’ve learned that it’s not just about pretty pictures. A great website is a tool that works 24/7 to bring you customers, book appointments, and make your phone ring. You don’t need to become a tech wizard. You just need a partner who gets it, someone who speaks your language and focuses on what really matters: growing your business.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing a web design partner is a big step. Think of it like hiring an important new team member. You want someone you can count on, who is easy to work with, and who wants you to succeed. As you look at your options, remember to ask the right questions.
- Do they listen? A great partner will want to understand your business, your customers, and your goals before they even talk about colors or fonts. They should care about what you want to build.
- Do they make it simple? The whole thing shouldn’t be confusing. You should feel like you have a clear guide, not like you’re trying to read a map upside down.
- Do they have proof? Look for real results. Ask to see examples of how they’ve helped businesses just like yours get more leads and more customers.
The most important thing to remember is this: you are in charge. The tools and companies we’ve talked about are all here to help you find the perfect fit. Don’t feel rushed or pushed. Your goal is to find a team that feels less like someone you hired and more like a part of your own crew, cheering for you to win.
The hardest part of any big project is just getting started. By reading this guide, you’ve already taken that giant first leap. You’re ready to find a company that will build you a website that works as hard as you do. You’ve got this!
If you’re ready to stop the bullshit and the endless searching and work with a local team that makes getting a powerful website easy and fun, we’re here to help. As one of the dedicated website design companies in the Columbus, Ohio area aka Newark, The Cherubini Company builds sites that don’t just look good—they get results for small businesses. Let’s chat about your project today!
