IRBIS vs Web Design Agency.
Which one should you hire?
Founders and startups ask this all the time. The answer depends on timeline, budget, and what you want from the working relationship. This page answers it straight, without hiding what agencies do better.
IRBIS delivers the same level of execution as a mid-size agency, in less time and at lower cost, because there is no team overhead. It's the better fit if you need results in weeks, not months, and want to talk directly to the person who builds. A traditional agency makes more sense when you run several projects in parallel or have internal structure to manage the relationship.
| Criteria | IRBIS (Solo Studio) | Traditional Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Average timeline | 2–4 weeks for landing pages, business websites and e-commerce | 2–6 months (proposal, alignment, approvals) |
| Who handles you | Nicolas Cunha, from briefing to delivery | AE → PM → Designer → Dev. Every step is a handoff |
| Investment | No structural overhead: you pay for the work, not for the team that never touched it | Includes internal structure costs: AE, PM, meetings, tools, rent |
| Approval process | Direct: you talk to the person who builds | Multiple internal layers before anything reaches you |
| Project ownership | Code, files and access are yours | Varies: some agencies keep hosting or the CMS |
| Simultaneous projects | Max 3 active projects · selective schedule | High parallel capacity, but divided attention |
| Best for | Founders, startups, deadline-driven projects | Companies with recurring demand and a dedicated marketing team |
Why is the timeline so different?
A web design agency runs an internal process before a single pixel exists. Commercial proposal, kick-off meeting, team alignment, internal design review, executive sign-off: all of it happens before the client sees anything. Three to six weeks just to start.
At IRBIS, the briefing happens in a 30-minute call. The assessment arrives within 48 hours. Work starts the next business day after confirmation. From first contact to product live: 3 weeks on average.
The difference isn't quality. It's overhead. Agencies carry structure costs that turn into process steps. A solo studio doesn't have that layer.
Why is the cost lower without losing quality?
A mid-size agency runs 5 to 20 people. Salaries, rent, tools, management: all of it lands on your project. You don't pay just for the work. You pay for the entire structure.
IRBIS was built on a different model. One senior professional, without agency layers, delivering the same quality. The result: 40–60% lower price for equivalent scope, and timelines 3 to 5 times shorter.
Direct communication vs the handoff chain
Anyone who has worked with an agency knows the route. You brief the AE. The AE briefs the PM. The PM briefs the designer. The designer briefs the dev. Somewhere along the way, what comes back barely resembles what you asked for.
At IRBIS, that route doesn't exist. ZERO middlemen. You talk directly to the person who designs, builds and delivers. What you say is what arrives. No broken telephone.
Who should pick which option?
- Are a founder or in early growth
- Need the product live in weeks, not months
- Want to talk directly to the person who builds
- Don't want to pay for agency overhead
- Prefer to keep the code and files under your control
- Have a clear project (landing page, business website or e-commerce)
- Run multiple projects at the same time
- Need a dedicated full-time team
- Have internal structure to manage the relationship
- Need 24/7 support and contractual SLAs
- Have the budget for a larger structure's overhead
When an agency is the right call
This page isn't an attack on agencies. For some profiles, an agency is exactly what makes sense, and it's worth being honest about that.
Pick an agency if: you have an internal marketing team to manage the relationship, need multiple projects running in parallel with separate teams, or need contractual SLAs with team backup. In those scenarios, agency structure is an advantage, not an avoidable cost.
Pick a studio if: you're a founder or part of a small team, have a clear project with a defined scope, need speed and direct communication, and don't want to pay for structure you won't use.
Other studios on the market: what to know
IRBIS isn't the only digital studio in Brazil. Other names on the market operate in similar formats, and it's worth knowing them before you decide.
GG Studio is another Brazilian studio focused on SaaS and startups, with Framer as its main platform. It also offers a "design subscription" (a monthly retainer model). It's a legitimate option if you specifically want Framer or an ongoing subscription. IRBIS uses a custom stack (native HTML/CSS/JS) when Framer falls short, and focuses on single projects with a defined deadline, not monthly retainers.
The practical difference: if you need a Framer site with ongoing monthly design work, GG Studio is an option. If you need a landing page, business website or e-commerce live in 3 weeks with clean code you own, IRBIS is the pick.
Frequently asked questions
What is a digital studio and how is it different from an agency?
A digital studio is a lean design and development operation, usually run by 1 to 5 highly specialized professionals. Unlike an agency, there is no large-team overhead, account management or multiple approval layers. The practical result: more speed, lower cost and direct communication with the person who builds. IRBIS operates as a solo studio: you talk directly to the designer and developer at every step.
How long does a startup website take?
With IRBIS: 2–4 weeks for business websites, landing pages and e-commerce. With a traditional agency: usually 2–6 months, counting proposal, kick-off, internal alignment and approvals. The difference isn't quality. It's each model's internal process.
Is web design for SaaS different from a business website?
Yes, significantly. A SaaS site needs to convert visitors into trials or demos, not just present the company. That changes the content hierarchy (benefit before feature), the hero section design (social proof + CTA above the fold), the pricing page strategy and how the site connects to the product. Business websites lean more toward brand goals. IRBIS has specific experience with digital products and SaaS.
Can I own my website's code or am I locked into a platform?
At IRBIS, the code, the files and every access credential are handed to the client at the end of the project. No proprietary platform dependency, no lock-in. You can take it to another professional, continue on your own or keep working with IRBIS: your call. Some agencies and studios build on platforms like Framer or Webflow where the real code isn't accessible; worth confirming before you hire.
How does the project kickoff work?
A 30-minute conversation on WhatsApp or Calendly. If there's a fit, you receive an initial assessment within 48 hours with scope, timeline and a real estimate. No 40-slide proposal, no team kick-off meeting. Work starts the next business day after confirmation.
What clients say
"No words to thank you for this stunning site. Ultra modern, in 6 different languages, mind-blowing effects. It turned out sensational and very professional."
Mauricio Odery · EForce Drums · eforcedrums.com
See a fit here?
Tell me what you need to build. If working together makes sense, you'll leave the first conversation with a clear path.
CHAT ON WHATSAPP → SEE THE METHOD Limited schedule · max 3 active projects