99designs Review: Is This Design Marketplace Worth The Money?

Launched in 2008, 99designs is an online design marketplace connecting businesses and individuals with freelance designers worldwide. The platform was created to bridge the gap between clients in need of quality design work and talented designers who could bring their visions to life. 

Since then, 99designs has become a trusted resource for small businesses, startups, and anyone looking to outsource design projects. It offers a range of creative services across various categories such as logos, web design, and packaging.

The design marketplace stands out for its unique approach to design services, offering both contest-based projects and direct designer hiring. Its versatility makes it a fit for anyone who needs unique, professionally crafted designs without the commitment of hiring a full-time designer. 

Read on to learn more about 99designs, including how it works, its core features and services, pricing, and more. We’ll also look at what users have to say about the platform, as well as some alternatives worth considering. 

How Does 99designs Work?

99designs offers a streamlined yet flexible approach to finding the right design solution for clients, with two main options for engaging designers: design contests and direct hiring. 

Each approach caters to different needs, so users can choose the one that best aligns with their project goals, budget, and desired level of control.

Here’s a closer look at 99designs’ two primary ways to get design work done:

With design contests, clients create a project brief describing their needs and set a budget, after which designers worldwide submit their unique interpretations – typically 30-50+ designs within 7 days. 

Clients review submissions, provide feedback to finalists, and ultimately select a winning design, receiving full rights to their chosen artwork. This contest model is particularly effective for clients seeking multiple creative perspectives and willing to engage in the feedback process.

The one-on-one project option offers direct collaboration with individual designers and is ideal for those who prefer a more focused approach. 

Clients can browse designer portfolios, select a professional whose style matches their vision, and work directly with them on a per-project basis. They can also set a preferred budget for the project. 

This approach typically offers a faster turnaround and is ideal for clients with a specific style in mind or who need ongoing design work, allowing them to build a lasting relationship with their chosen designer.

If you’re unsure which one to choose, take the simple quiz where you answer a few questions about your business, and the platform will recommend the best design solution for your business. 

Features and Services

99designs provides a range of features and services designed to make the design process accessible, customizable, and efficient. Here’s a closer look at some of the core elements that set 99designs apart:

1. Ease of Use

99designs makes it easy to explore their services and find the right solution for your design needs. Signing up is as easy as following the prompts, and the user interface is simple to navigate. 

To get started, this is what you have to do: 

1. Define your project requirements clearly
2. Set a realistic budget
3. Prepare detailed feedback
4. Allow sufficient time for the process

That’s it! The platform and its designers will take care of all the rest. And if you get stuck at any point, or are unsure what option to choose, simply get in touch with support, and they’ll assist you right away. 

Overall, 99designs provides a user-friendly and efficient process, offering flexibility in how clients can access and collaborate with designers based on the specific demands of their projects.

2. Multiple Design Categories

99designs covers a wide array of design categories to meet various business needs. Some popular categories include: 

• Logo & Identity
• Web & App Design
• Business & Advertising
• Clothing & Merchandise
• Art & Illustration
• Packaging & Labels
• Book & Magazine
• Product & Character Design

You can also find designers for more specialized projects like book covers, social media graphics, and merchandise by clicking on the relevant tab on the website’s categories page. This extensive selection allows you to find design solutions that align with your business’s branding requirements.

The platform’s versatility makes it suitable for projects of all kinds, from single-design assets for small businesses to comprehensive brand packages for larger organizations. 

With such a broad range of supported projects, 99designs can handle nearly any design task, making it a convenient, all-in-one platform for clients with diverse design needs.

3. Contest-Based Design Process

One of the standout features of 99designs is its contest model, which allows clients to see a variety of design interpretations before making a final decision. 

In a design contest, you submit a project brief outlining your requirements and preferences. Multiple designers then submit creative concepts based on your brief, giving you the ability to review multiple designs. You can provide feedback and ask for revisions to refine your options, ultimately selecting a winning design that best matches your vision. 

The contest-based approach is ideal for those who value variety and enjoy collaborating with multiple designers.

Summary of Contest-based Design Process

• Create a detailed brief template
• Include industry-specific questions
• Complete the style preferences selection
• Adjust the budget setting

Contest-based projects are ideal for single projects needing multiple perspectives. The main advantages include the ability to receive a wide range of ideas and competitive pricing. The timeline is usually 7 days for initial designs

4. Direct Designer Hiring Option

For clients who prefer a more focused and hands-on experience, 99designs offers a one-on-one hiring option. This feature allows clients to connect with a specific designer based on their portfolio, style, or previous work. 

With this approach, you get a more personalized experience that is ideal if you have a clear design direction or if you’re interested in building a long-term relationship with a designer. 

You can easily view designer profiles, communicate through the platform, and manage revisions and project details, all in one place.

Summary of 99designs’ Designer Hiring Process

• Browse designer portfolios using search filters
• Check out previous work samples, ratings, and reviews
• Connect directly with preferred designers
• Collaborate one-on-one on your project
• Pay per project or hourly rates

One-on-one projects are best for ongoing work or specific style requirements. The main advantages of this approach are direct communication and a consistent style in all materials. The timeline for these types of projects varies by project scope. 

5. Customer Support and Resources

99designs provides several resources to help both clients and designers navigate their design projects smoothly. The platform offers customer support to address any issues, as well as tools like project brief creation assistance, collaboration features, and a secure file delivery system for final designs. 

These resources streamline the design process and give clients the confidence to manage their projects efficiently from start to finish. Additionally, 99designs offers educational content and inspiration galleries, helping users gain insights into design trends and best practices.

• 24/7 customer service
• Design brief assistance
• Collaboration tools
• File management system
• Design education resources

Overall, 99designs equips users with an array of features and tools that make it easier to discover, manage, and refine their design projects, ensuring a smooth experience whether they choose a contest or direct collaboration with a designer.

Pricing: How Much Does 99designs Cost? 

99designs offers a range of pricing options designed to accommodate different budgets and project scopes, whether you’re looking for an affordable design or a high-end, custom solution.

Here’s a breakdown of the various pricing tiers:

Contest Pricing Tiers

When running a design contest, 99designs offers several pricing packages, each with different levels of features and designer access. Typically, there are four main tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

• Bronze (Entry-level): This tier provides access to a large pool of designers and basic features. It’s an affordable option for clients who want to see a variety of concepts without a high investment. You get 30 design concepts and full copyright ownership.
• Silver (Mid-tier): With the Silver package, clients receive higher-quality designs and access to more experienced designers. This package includes everything in the Bronze plan and 40 design concepts. 
• Gold (Premium): Gold contests attract top designers and often yield a greater range of creative ideas. This tier is ideal for clients with a larger budget and a high standard for design quality. It comes with 50 design concepts for each project.
• Platinum (Top-tier): The Platinum tier ensures that only the top-level designers participate, providing a more curated experience and premium-level support. Although you only get 40 design concepts, you also get a dedicated manager and prioritized support. 

These packages vary in cost, with the Bronze tier offering the most budget-friendly option and the Platinum tier targeting clients who seek the highest quality.

For example, starting a design contest for an album cover will cost $199 (Bronze) to $999 (Platinum). 

The platform also provides a 100% money-back guarantee which applies to all levels as long as you’ve not selected ‘guaranteed contest’ (which means you will definitely pay out the prize money).

One-on-One Project Pricing

In addition to contests, 99designs allows clients to hire designers for one-on-one projects, giving them more control over the project scope and budget. 

Pricing for direct projects depends on the designer’s experience, reputation, and the complexity of the project. Clients can review designer portfolios and rates, allowing them to choose someone who fits their budget and style requirements.

Additional Services

Beyond basic design services, 99designs offers add-ons, such as brand identity packages, which include logo design plus other brand assets like business cards and letterheads. These packages provide a cohesive set of design elements for businesses looking for an all-in-one branding solution.

Value for Money

While 99designs is generally more expensive than budget-friendly alternatives like Fiverr, the platform’s higher costs often reflect the quality and variety of designs, as well as the vetted professional network. For clients who want high-quality, custom designs and don’t mind investing more for reliable results, 99designs provides good value for money. The various pricing tiers and options allow clients to find a solution that aligns with both their needs and budget.

Pros and Cons of 99designs

Here’s a quick look at the strengths and drawbacks of 99designs. Whether you’re looking to create a logo, website, or complete branding package, exploring the pros and cons can help you decide if 99designs is the right fit for your project.

Pros of 99designs

• Flexible project types: The platform offers both design contests and one-on-one projects, providing flexible options to match different client needs.
• Multiple design options to choose from: Design contests allow clients to receive multiple creative concepts from various designers, enabling the exploration of different styles before making a final selection. 
• Money-back guarantee: A money-back guarantee on design contests provides risk-free assurance for clients unsatisfied with their design submissions.
• Professional designer vetting: Through professional designer vetting, particularly at higher pricing tiers, clients are assured of working with experienced and skilled professionals.
• Project management tools: Integrated project management tools streamline client-designer communication, feedback, and revision processes.

Cons of 99designs

• Higher cost compared to some alternatives: The platform’s pricing is higher than budget-friendly alternatives like Fiverr or Upwork, potentially making it cost-prohibitive for clients with limited budgets.
• Time investment for contest management: Design contests require significant time investment from clients to review submissions and provide feedback, which may not suit those seeking a more streamlined process.
• Potential quality inconsistency: Design quality can be inconsistent, particularly in lower-tier contests where less experienced designers participate, necessitating a careful review of submissions.

Customer Experiences and Success Stories

99designs has garnered positive reviews from a variety of clients, with success stories spanning industries and project types. 

Many small business owners and startups have found value in the platform’s contest model, which allows them to tap into a diverse range of creative ideas at a fraction of the cost of a traditional design agency, as in the success case below: 

Success Case #1: Tech Startup Branding

“We used a Gold contest to crowdsource innovative logo ideas that reflect a modern brand image. We received over 50 unique logo concepts and found our perfect brand identity that stands out in a competitive market.”

Result: Complete brand package including logo, business cards, and website design

Success Case #2: eCommerce Product Launch

“The contest format gave us multiple packaging design options we wouldn’t have considered. We received dozens of eye-catching product packaging and brand identity assets that appeal to today’s online shoppers.”

Result: Standout product packaging that increased sales by 40%

Success Case #3: Long-Term Partnership

“As a business owner, I have successfully established long-term partnerships with designers I initially discovered through a 99designs contest. This option ensures consistency in design style and branding, which is especially helpful as my company requires frequent updates to marketing materials or product designs.

Result: Cohesive design system for all my business’s marketing material.

Comparison with Other Design Platforms

When comparing 99designs with alternatives like Fiverr, Upwork, and DesignCrowd, each platform offers distinct features and caters to different client needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of how 99designs stacks up against these competitors:

99designs vs Fiverr

• 99designs: Higher quality, more structured process, higher prices
• Fiverr: More affordable, variable quality, faster turnaround

Fiverr is known for its affordability and quick turnaround times, with freelancers offering services across a wide price range. Unlike 99designs, which emphasizes quality and variety through contests and vetted designers, Fiverr allows clients to choose from individual freelancers directly based on price and ratings. 

While Fiverr may be more budget-friendly, it generally doesn’t provide the same level of design curation or quality assurance found on 99designs.

99designs vs Upwork

• 99designs: Design-focused, contest option, curated designers
• Upwork: Broader service range, more flexible pricing, less specialized

Upwork is a broader freelancing platform where clients can post job listings and hire professionals across various fields, including design. The platform focuses on individual project-based work, similar to 99designs’ one-on-one option. However, Upwork lacks 99designs’ design contest feature, which is ideal for clients who want to explore multiple design concepts. Upwork may be a better fit for clients seeking ongoing work with freelancers in multiple skill areas beyond design.

DesignCrowd

• 99designs: Better designer vetting, higher prices, more features
• DesignCrowd: More affordable, larger designer pool, less support

DesignCrowd offers a similar model to 99designs, allowing clients to start design contests and receive multiple submissions. While DesignCrowd is known for its affordability and has a wide designer network, 99designs often provides a more polished experience with better tools, designer vetting, and customer support. 

Clients who prioritize high-quality design and professional interactions may find 99designs to be the stronger choice.

Each of these three platforms has unique strengths, but 99designs stands out for its structured design process, designer vetting, and contest-based model, making it a top choice for clients seeking a high standard of creative work with a variety of options.

Final Verdict: Is 99designs Worth It? 

Whether you’re launching a new brand, refreshing an existing one, or simply need standout visuals for your next project, 99designs has options to meet your needs. 

Best use cases for 99designs include brand identity development, complex design projects, ongoing design needs, and multi-format design requirements.

99designs is worth the investment for:

• Businesses seeking quality design work with multiple options
• Startups needing comprehensive branding services
• Companies wanting ongoing design support
• Projects requiring specialized design expertise

However, it might not be the best fit for:

• Very small budgets or minimal design needs
• Rush projects requiring immediate turnaround
• Those preferring complete control over the design process

Overall, 99designs is worth the investment for those who prioritize quality, customization, and access to a variety of design options. It’s a well-rounded platform for clients willing to invest both time and budget to achieve a unique, professional look for their brand.

Ready to bring your design vision to life? Sign up on 99designs today to find out how easy it can be to achieve professional, custom designs that make an impact!