If you’re a designer looking for work, chances are you’ve come across 99designs. But is it legit? Is it a scam? In this 99designs review, we’ll break down what the company is, its pros and cons, and whether or not you should use it.
99designs is a popular online platform that offers businesses and individuals access to a global community of freelance graphic designers. The platform allows users to launch design contests, where designers from around the world submit their ideas and compete to win the contest prize.
With over 1 million registered designers and more than 500,000 completed projects, 99designs has become one of the leading design marketplaces on the internet.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive review of 99designs, examining the platform’s features, pricing, and overall user experience. We will also analyze the quality of designs produced by the platform’s designers and evaluate the level of customer support provided by 99designs.
Whether you are a small business owner looking to create a new logo or a graphic designer seeking freelance work, this review will provide you with all the information you need to decide whether 99designs is the right platform for you.
What is 99designs?
99designs is an online marketplace that connects freelance designers with clients who need design work done. Clients can choose from design packages (such as logos, websites, etc.) and post their projects on the site. Designers then submit their proposals in the form of original artwork. The client then reviews all submissions and chooses the one they like best.
It is a legitimate company that has been in operation since 2008 and has helped thousands of businesses with their design needs. The platform offers various design services, including logo design, web design, packaging design, and more.
Businesses can start a design contest, where multiple designers submit their designs and the business chooses the winning design. Alternatively, businesses can work with a freelance designer directly for a one-on-one project.
One of the benefits of using 99designs is the large pool of designers available on the platform. This means businesses can access a wide range of design styles and find a designer that best fits their needs. Additionally, 99designs offers a 100% money-back guarantee, which gives businesses peace of mind knowing they will receive a design they are happy with.
However, it is important to note that 99designs can be a pricey option for businesses on a tight budget. The platform’s pricing varies depending on the type of design project and whether a business starts a contest or hires a freelance designer. Logo design pricing starts at $299 and goes up to $1,299, while web page design pricing starts at $599.
The 99designs Contest Experience
The 99designs contest experience is a unique way to get a design that meets your specific needs. The platform allows you to launch a design contest where you can get multiple design submissions from different designers. This way, you can choose the best design that meets your requirements.
The process of launching a contest on 99designs is simple and straightforward. You start by selecting the design category that suits your needs, such as logo design, brochure design, web design, among others. You then provide a brief and detailed description of what you want to be designed. This can include your brand colors, preferred style, and other specifications.
Once you launch your contest, designers from all over the world can submit their designs. You can provide feedback and request revisions until you get the design that meets your needs. You can also make your contest private if you want to keep it confidential.
One of the advantages of using 99designs is that you get to see multiple design submissions from different designers. This way, you can compare and choose the best design that meets your needs. The platform also offers a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the designs submitted.
In conclusion, the 99designs contest experience is an excellent way to get a design that meets your specific needs. The platform offers a simple and straightforward process of launching a contest and getting multiple design submissions from different designers. You can also make your contest private if you want to keep it confidential.
Design Services Offered
99designs is a popular design platform that offers a variety of design services to its clients. This section will discuss the different design services offered by 99designs, including logo design, website design, app design, and business card design.
Logo Design
Logo design is one of the most popular services offered by 99designs. The platform offers a range of logo design packages to suit different budgets and needs. Clients can choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages, each offering different features and levels of customization.
With 99designs, clients can expect to receive a variety of logo design concepts from multiple designers. They can then provide feedback and request revisions until they are satisfied with the final design.
Website Design
99designs also offers website design services for clients looking to create a professional and visually appealing website. Clients can choose from a range of packages, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
With 99designs, clients can expect to receive a custom website design that is tailored to their specific needs and preferences. The platform offers a range of design styles, from minimalist to bold and colorful, to suit different brand identities.
App Design
99designs offers a range of app design services for clients looking to create a mobile app. Clients can choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages, each offering different levels of customization and features.
With 99designs, clients can expect to receive a custom app design that is tailored to their brand and target audience. The platform offers a range of design styles, from clean and modern to fun and playful, to suit different app categories.
Business Cards
99designs also offers business card design services for clients looking to create professional and eye-catching business cards. Clients can choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages, each offering different levels of customization and features.
With 99designs, clients can expect to receive a custom business card design that is tailored to their brand and industry. The platform offers a range of design styles, from classic and elegant to bold and modern, to suit different business types.
In conclusion, 99designs offers a variety of design services to its clients, including logo design, website design, app design, and business card design. Clients can choose from different packages to suit their budget and needs, and can expect to receive custom designs that are tailored to their brand and target audience.
The Pricing Structure
99designs offers four different pricing tiers for their design services. Each tier has different features and price points to accommodate various budgets and needs.
Silver Tier
The Silver tier is the most affordable option and is ideal for those with a limited budget. With this tier, clients receive 30 design concepts from multiple designers. The client can then provide feedback and select the winning design. The Silver tier starts at $299.
Gold Tier
The Gold tier is the most popular option and offers more design concepts and features than the Silver tier. Clients receive 60 design concepts from multiple designers and can provide feedback to refine the designs. The Gold tier also includes a dedicated account manager and starts at $499.
Bronze Tier
The Bronze tier is a mid-range option that offers 45 design concepts from multiple designers. Clients can provide feedback to refine the designs and select the winning design. The Bronze tier starts at $399.
Platinum Tier
The Platinum tier is the most premium option and offers the most features and design concepts. Clients receive 90 design concepts from multiple designers and can provide feedback to refine the designs. The Platinum tier also includes a dedicated account manager, priority support, and a money-back guarantee. The Platinum tier starts at $899.
Overall, 99designs’ pricing structure is competitive and offers a range of options for clients with different budgets and needs. The pricing tiers are transparent and easy to understand, making it simple for clients to choose the best option for their project.
Quality and Value for Money
When it comes to quality, 99designs has a reputation for delivering high-quality designs. The platform has a large pool of talented designers from all over the world, which ensures that clients get access to a wide range of design styles and techniques. The designs are also reviewed by a team of experts to ensure that they meet the required standards.
In terms of value for money, 99designs offers several pricing packages that cater to different budgets. Clients can choose to start a contest or hire a freelance graphic designer. Logo design pricing starts at $299 and goes up to $1,299, while web page design pricing starts at $599. Higher-priced packages come with more logo concepts and higher-rated designers.
One of the advantages of using 99designs is the money-back guarantee. If a client is not satisfied with the design, they can request a refund within 60 days of the contest’s completion. However, it’s important to note that the guarantee only covers the design fee and not any additional fees such as upgrades or add-ons.
Overall, 99designs offers good value for money, especially for clients who need one-off designs. The platform is also a great option for clients who need designs consistently, as unlimited graphic design services will be cheaper and more convenient.
The Designers Behind 99designs
99designs is an online platform that connects businesses with talented designers from around the world. The platform boasts a community of over 150,000 professional designers and freelancers, all of whom have been vetted and approved by 99designs.
These designers come from a wide range of backgrounds and specialties, including graphic design, web design, illustration, and more. They hail from countries all over the world, from the United States and Canada to Australia, Europe, and beyond.
One of the unique aspects of 99designs is that it allows businesses to launch design contests, where multiple designers can submit their ideas and the business can choose the best one. This gives businesses access to a wide range of design options and allows them to work with multiple designers at once.
The designers on 99designs are some of the best in the industry, with years of experience and a track record of delivering high-quality work. Many of them have won awards and accolades for their designs, and they are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the design world.
Overall, the designers behind 99designs are a talented and diverse group of professionals who are dedicated to helping businesses bring their visions to life through beautiful and effective design.
Customer Experience and Service
99designs offers a user-friendly platform for customers to create a design contest and receive submissions from a pool of talented freelance designers. The process is straightforward, and customers have the ability to communicate with designers throughout the contest to provide feedback and request revisions.
Customers have reported positive experiences with 99designs’ customer service, citing timely and helpful responses from support staff. However, there have also been some reports of customers experiencing difficulties with the platform, such as technical issues and communication problems with designers.
Overall, 99designs seems to prioritize customer satisfaction, and their support team is available to address any issues that may arise. Customers who have had a positive experience with the platform appreciate the variety of design options available and the ability to work with multiple designers.
On the other hand, customers who have had a horrible experience with 99designs have reported frustration with the design quality and lack of communication from designers. It is important to note that design contests are not guaranteed to produce a perfect design, and customers should carefully consider their expectations before starting a contest.
In summary, while there have been some negative experiences reported, 99designs generally provides a positive customer experience with responsive customer service and a user-friendly platform.
Additional Features and Add-Ons
99designs offers a range of additional features and add-ons to enhance the design experience for its users. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Add-Ons
Users can purchase add-ons to their design contests to enhance their chances of finding the perfect design. These add-ons include:
- Guaranteed contest: This add-on ensures that a user will receive a minimum number of design entries for their contest, or they will receive a full refund.
- Private contest: This add-on allows users to keep their design contest private, so that only designers they invite can participate.
- Featured contest: This add-on increases the visibility of a user’s contest, making it more likely that designers will participate.
Brand Guide
99designs offers a brand guide add-on that helps users create a comprehensive guide for their brand. This guide includes brand colors, typography, logos, and more information. It can be a useful tool for businesses looking to maintain a consistent brand image across all of their marketing materials.
WordPress Theme
Users can also purchase a custom WordPress theme through 99designs. This add-on allows users to work with a designer to create a custom theme that matches their brand and website needs. It can be a great option for businesses looking to create a unique online presence.
Vista
Vista is a platform offered by 99designs that helps users manage their design needs. It includes features like design briefs, project management tools, and a design library. It can be a useful tool for businesses that need to manage multiple design projects at once.
Non-Profit
99designs offers a discount for non-profit organizations. This discount can be a great option for non-profits looking to create professional designs on a budget.
Overall, 99designs offers a range of additional features and add-ons that can enhance the design experience for its users. Whether you’re looking for a custom WordPress theme or a comprehensive brand guide, 99designs has options to meet your needs.
Comparing 99designs with Other Platforms
When it comes to finding a design platform, there are many options available. Here, we will compare 99designs with some of its competitors to help you make an informed decision.
Crowdspring
Crowdspring is a platform that offers design services, including logo design, web design, and more. Unlike 99designs, Crowdspring offers a money-back guarantee and a promise to deliver your design within seven days. However, their pricing is generally higher than 99designs, with logo design starting at $299.
Toptal
Toptal is a platform that connects businesses with top-tier freelance designers. Unlike 99designs, Toptal offers a more curated selection of designers and focuses on higher-end design projects. However, their pricing is also significantly higher, with rates starting at $60 per hour.
Logo Makers
There are many logo makers available online, such as Canva and Wix Logo Maker. These platforms are generally more affordable than 99designs, with some offering free logo design options. However, the quality of the designs may not be as high, and the customization options are limited.
Design Options
Other design platforms, such as DesignCrowd and Designhill, offer similar services to 99designs. However, their pricing and design quality may vary. It is important to do your research and compare the options to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
Overall, 99designs offers a competitive option for businesses and individuals looking for affordable design services with a wide range of design options. However, it is important to consider other options and compare pricing and quality to make an informed decision.
Pros and Cons of 99designs
Pros of 99designs
- Access to a wide variety of talent from all over the world
- Easy-to-use interface for both clients and designers
- Opportunity to gain exposure for your work by entering contests
- Affordable pricing compared to hiring a traditional graphic designer
Cons of 99designs
- Lack of quality control, as anyone can join regardless of experience or skill level.
- Competition can be fierce when many people submit designs for the same project.
- Lower pay rate than hiring a freelancer directly due to fees charged by 99designs
Final Verdict: Is 99designs Legit?
The research and reviews show that 99designs is a legitimate platform for crowdsourcing graphic design work. With a large pool of designers, clients can receive a variety of design concepts and choose the one that best fits their needs.
However, the pricing structure can be steep for some clients, especially those just starting. A logo design costs $299, which may not be feasible for small businesses or individuals with a limited budget.
Additionally, some reviews have noted that the quality of designs can vary greatly depending on the designer chosen. It is important for clients to thoroughly review the designer’s portfolio and ratings before making a selection.
99designs can be a valuable resource for those needing professional graphic design work. However, it is important to carefully consider the pricing and designer selection process to ensure the best possible outcome.
Overall, 99designs is a legitimate platform that offers good opportunities for clients and designers. If you’re looking to hire talented designers or showcase your work. Remember that competition can be stiff, so make sure you stand out!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some alternatives to 99designs?
Several alternatives to 99designs exist, including DesignCrowd, Crowdspring, and Upwork. Each platform offers a similar service where businesses can post design projects and receive submissions from freelance designers.
Where can I find logo inspiration websites?
Many websites offer logo inspiration, including Behance, Dribbble, and LogoLounge. These sites showcase various designs from professional designers and can help businesses get ideas for their logos.
What kinds of jobs are available on 99designs?
99designs offers various design jobs, including logo, web, packaging, and book cover designs. Businesses can post contests or hire freelance designers to work on specific projects.
How much money can be made on 99designs contests?
The amount of money that can be made on 99designs contests varies depending on the project and the number of submissions received. However, businesses typically offer prizes ranging from $299 to $1,299 for logo design contests. Freelance designers can earn money by submitting designs and winning contests.
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