The IT industry in the Netherlands is vibrant and thriving. The country has established itself as a major hub for technology and innovation, attracting both domestic and international companies. The IT sector in the Netherlands is characterized by a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technologies, digital transformation, and a progressive business environment.

Dutch state-of-the-art, 100% digital, advanced fiber-optic network, and competitive business climate support a strong community of startups and global IT companies. In fact, 60% of Forbes 2000 companies in the IT industry have already established operations in the Netherlands.

The IT industry in the Netherlands has been steadily growing in the past few years. The IT Services market in the country is predicted to reach a revenue $28.71 billion in 2025 with a CAGR 2025-2030 of 2.44%.

Why Work With IT Companies From the Netherlands

The IT sector of the Netherlands is characterized as an Innovative SME-driven software solution provider that responds to global trends with cutting-edge software solutions in climate change, aging, digitization, and increasing productivity and efficiency in businesses.

In addition, a large number of sub-segments have been emerging in the sector. Developments in the field of  Business Intelligence, Security, Social Collaboration, mobile and cloud applications, Software in the cloud as a Service (Saas), etc, have been growing at much higher rates. 

But this is not everything. Here are some more reasons why you should work with NL IT companies and digital agencies, according to the Future Forward Senior Mobile Marketing Manager  -Nebosja Gutesa:

• Access to local expertise: A local IT firm will be more familiar with the local market, culture, and business practices.
• Better communication: Because there are no language or time zone barriers to overcome, working with a local IT company can make communication easier and more efficient. 
• High-quality services: The Netherlands is known as a center of innovation and technology. Local IT firms are frequently at the forefront of these advancements, providing clients with cutting-edge solutions and services.
• Compliance with local regulations: The Netherlands has stringent data privacy and security regulations. You can ensure that your IT solutions are compliant with these regulations by working with a local IT company.
• Working with a local IT company is an excellent way to support the local economy and promote sustainability.

What to Be Aware of When Working With Dutch IT Companies

Being a part of one of the most developed IT ecosystems in the world comes with several challenges on both sides, for IT companies and for clients. It is well-known that Dutch IT companies are among the most expensive in the IT market, having the second-highest hourly rate in the European web industry, with an average between 25EUR and 70EUR. 

Since most of the IT companies from neighboring countries provide the same range of services for a lower price and probably at the same quality, Dutch IT companies are many times considered an alternative rather than a priority for most of the clients. 

How Reliable Are the Dutch IT Companies

In terms of reliability, Dutch companies in the IT sector have a good reputation, especially in project management and service delivery, mainly due to their wide experience and longstanding innovative spirit. 

Moreover, the Netherlands is appealing to international IT firms due to its advanced IT infrastructure, favorable business climate, and strategic location in Europe. The country has a competitive tax system, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and a diverse workforce. Besides that, the Dutch government actively promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through a variety of policies and initiatives, including funding opportunities and favorable regulations, states Nebojsa Gutesa from Future Forward

However, the regional competition is tough, and Germany, the UK, and France are in leading positions on market share and in terms of choice for potential foreign clients and investors, including multinational IT corporations. 

How Does the Dutch IT Industry Relate to the Neighboring Countries?

In comparison to its neighboring countries, the Netherlands has a well-established and thriving IT industry. The country has a strong digital infrastructure as well as a talented workforce that is fluent in English.

In comparison to its neighbors, the Netherlands is known for its forward-thinking and innovative approach to technology. Several world-class universities and research institutions are located in the country, attracting top talent from across Europe and beyond.

Finally, the Netherlands has a favorable business climate and a well-established legal system, resulting in a stable environment for business operations.

The Business Environment in the Netherlands

According to Matias Rodsevich from PRLab, a leading PR Company from the Netherlands, the business environment is favorable. The country has a highly diversified economy, is open to global trade, and has a highly skilled workforce. The Netherlands has access to major markets with its central location in Europe. In addition, it is a member of the EU, which offers additional trade and investment opportunities.

In addition, Musa Toktas from Heraklet LLC, a company established in Turkey, with an office in the Netherlands, states that the country also has a favorable tax regime and is home to many international companies, making it an attractive location for foreign investment.

The Ease of Opening An IT Company in the Netherlands

As Nebosja from Future Forward states, the business climate in the Netherlands is favorable for establishing a new IT company as a local entrepreneur. The country has a well-developed IT infrastructure and policies that encourage entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the Netherlands has a diverse and skilled workforce, making it an appealing destination for IT firms. In terms of regulations, registering a new business in the Netherlands is a relatively simple and efficient process. 

For foreign entrepreneurs, the Netherlands has two options: for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, who are all allowed to open a business in the country under the EU law. And the second option available for other foreigners is getting a startup visa for entrepreneurs

Amsterdam and Eindhoven - Among the Best Places in the Netherlands for IT Businesses And Professionals

Nebosja also considers that the Dutch capital, and also Eindhoven, are the best cities to offer a comfortable business climate for IT businesses. He states the following: 

Two of the best cities for IT are Amsterdam and Eindhoven. But don't forget Rotterdam and Brielle as well. 

1. Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and a global hub for business and technology.  The city has a highly educated workforce and a strong international orientation, making it an appealing location for IT firms seeking to expand globally.  Furthermore, Amsterdam has a highly developed IT infrastructure, including a high-speed fiber network, allowing businesses to easily connect with their customers and partners.
2. Eindhoven, on the other hand, is known for its strong technology and design industries. It has a highly educated workforce focused on engineering and technology.  The city also has a high quality of life and is regarded as one of Europe's most innovative.

This article was created together with prominent figures and professionals coming from reputable Dutch IT companies. Special credits: Musa Toktas, Matias Rodsevic, Nebojsa Gutesa.

 

Have you ever noticed how some websites and apps just feel easier to use than others? That's because of the UX/UI design - basically, the people who make sure everything looks good and is easy to navigate.

UX/UI design services are closely connected, but they are not the same. They are actually about different parts of the design and to be effective they must work together.

• UI (user interface) design concentrates on visual elements. It is all about how things look and work on a product, like colors, fonts, and buttons.

• UX (user experience) refers to the overall experience a person has with a product - how easy it is to use the product, how it makes the user feel, and whether it is possible to easily get what is needed from it.

According to research conducted by Forrester, a well-designed user interface (UI) can increase a website's conversion rate by 200%, whereas a better user experience (UX) design could raise it by up to 400%.

In this connection, the importance of UX/UI Design cannot be overstated. Nowadays users have high expectations for the products they use, if a product is not easy to use or enjoyable, users will quickly abandon it. 

UX/UI design can help:

• Enhance user satisfaction

• Reduce bounce rates

• Lead to higher customer retention and revenue

UX Design has also an important role in Inclusive Government Design, which makes government services accessible and user-friendly for diverse and marginalized communities.  

But how do choose the right UX/UI Company? 

1. Review the company's portfolio and make sure they have experience in your industry

2. Look for companies that understand your target audience to meet their needs.

3. Inquire about their design process: research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.

4. Choose a company that maintains transparent and open communication and keeps you involved throughout the design process.

5. Read client reviews to check their reputation and client satisfaction.

6. A good design company should be up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies.

Taking into consideration all these tips you will manage to select the right UX/UI Design Company that will help to achieve your goals. 

There are over 13,800 UX/UI Design companies on TechBehemoths platform. Check their profiles, their strong portfolios, and previous clients' reviews before you make a decision. With the help of smart filters, you can easily find suitable partners to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Alternatively, you can submit your project, and the system will find the best match on your behalf.

UI/UX design in the AI era

As AI tools evolve and become more capable of prototyping and designing layouts, the human/emotional aspect will become even more important. AI can't experience and tell and illustrate personal stories, while UI/UX designers can. This human/personal touch will become a valuable part of UI/UX work.

You can interact with the web in multiple ways: using text, voice, images, videos, VR, etc. All these require user interfaces adapted to different needs and scenarios. Professional design agencies should be able to deliver interfaces and UX for multiple interaction modes and devices like smartphones, VR headsets, smart glasses, etc.

The importance of UI/UX for your leads/sales

Lots of websites lose their visitors without a single click. Poor UX design is almost always the reason, and most business owners don't even know where the problem is.

On average, websites convert only 2–3% of visitors. This means the majority of visitors land on a site, browse for a few seconds, and leave without taking any action. Business owners express this as one of their most common frustrations.

How to solve this problem?

The answer is simple: make it easy for visitors to take desired actions on your website, such as viewing a product page or service, completing a purchase, or downloading a resource.

Your website should communicate effectively, guide users, and convince them to take a specific action.

Why your website doesn't convert

There might be multiple reasons, but here are the most common ones + some tips on how to improve your UX to convert visits into leads/conversions. 

1. The first seconds count

How to fix? Start with a clear value proposition that shows the benefits and answers these three questions right away.

2. No call to actions (CTAs)

How to fix? Your service/product and other important pages should have one primary CTA, and it should be: specific, prominent, smooth/short. Example: Get a free quote.

3. Poor mobile UI/UX

How to fix? Focus on mobile-first UX design, which means designing the mobile experience first and then adapting it for the desktop experience.

4. No social proof

How to fix? Place trust signals throughout the conversion path: client testimonials, reviews, awards, certifications, team photos, etc.

5. Complex navigation/structure

How to fix? Simplify your navigation and content structure by limiting menu items, using plain language, making contact options visible and accessible from everywhere, using proper visual hierarchy.

6. Slow loading time

How to fix? Optimize your web pages for speed, especially for mobile devices. Use modern image formats like webp, compress images, use reliable/fast hosting, minify JavaScript/CSS, don't usee too many 3rd party services.

7. Too long forms

How to fix? Use the minimum required number of input fields: name, email, and one open field. Don;t overwhelm users withh too many questions and options.

How to choose the right UX/UI agency?

Choosing a UX/UI agency is a business decision with consequences that show up months after the contract is signed. Most companies evaluate agencies based solely on portfolios and presentations, which are the things easiest to polish and hardest to verify.

What separates a good hire from an expensive mistake is usually visible before you sign anything. You just have to know where to look.

How to do research UX/UI agencies, the right way

Most users go straight to the portfolio, and that's ok, but it's not the whole picture. Here are the criteria that actually matter before you reach out to anyone.

1. Portfolio, look past the aesthetics

Good UX agencies solve different problems differently.

2. Research, visuals are not enough

Any agency can show you Figma files. Ask them to walk you through how they got there. If there's no mention of user interviews, usability testing, or data, the work is decoration, not design. 

3. Industry experience is useful, but not mandatory

For fintech, healthcare, or anything with compliance layers, prior domain experience saves valuable time. Sometimes, an agency coming in fresh can be the better bet, having a different perspective

4. Negative client reviews

A profile with an ideal five stars rating is worth questioning. 

5. Who's exactly working on your project

The number one complaint in the agency world is the bait-and-switch, a senior partner sells the deal, but junior interns do the work. Before moving forward, ask who's actually doing the work. Thirty minutes of reference calls can save you thousands in wasted fees.

6. Not all UX/UI projects are the same

Before you talk to anyone, get specific about what you're buying. UX covers a wide range of work, and the type of agency you need depends on what the actual problem is.

Here is a set of common UX/UI tasks to keep in mind.

How to shortlist the right agencies?

Many clients speak with 15 - 20 agencies and end up more confused than when they started. A practical approach looks like this:

• Start with a larger pool of companies

• Narrow it to around 10 agencies

• Shortlist 3-5 agencies

• Send the same brief to everyone

• Compare proposals and communication styles

• Choose one partner

A poorly scoped engagement can lead to a bad return/outcome. A bad agency hire costs approximately €115,000 when you calculate wasted fees, the cost of a redo, and months of lost market time.