Working with a branding agency in another country? Here is how it actually works
Many of our clients are not in Pune. We have built brands and websites for businesses in Bali, the UAE and across India, and most of that work ran over video calls and shared links. If you are thinking of hiring an agency in another city or country, here is how it tends to go, and what makes it work.
By Saurabh Khatri, founder of The Brand Odyssey. 13 November 2026.
Why businesses look beyond their own city
Sometimes it is cost. Sometimes it is the work: you have seen a portfolio you like and the agency happens to be elsewhere. And sometimes the person who knows your market best is not in your city. A villa brand in Bali, for example, might want a team that understands both the local scene and the guests flying in from India, the Middle East and Australia.
The first call matters more than usual
When you cannot drop into each other's offices, the first conversation sets the tone for everything after it. Expect the agency to ask about your business, your customers, your competitors and what you want the project to change. By the end, both of you should agree on a short written brief, the deliverables, the timeline and who signs off on what.
Video calls for thinking, shared links for doing
Workshops, creative presentations and big decisions work best on video, with screens shared. Day to day feedback works better in writing, through comments on shared designs and documents, so nothing gets lost in a chat thread. Websites are built on a private test link you can open on your own phone, wherever you are.
Time zones are usually an advantage
India is a few hours behind Bali and slightly ahead of the UAE, so the overlap in working hours is generous. Often you send feedback at the end of your day and wake up to the changes. The trick is to agree one or two fixed call slots a week that suit both sides.
What to agree on before you start
- The full scope, file by file, and how many rounds of changes are included
- Who on your side gives feedback and who has the final say
- The currency, payment schedule and how invoices will be raised
- Who owns the final files, the domain and the website logins
- What happens if the timeline slips on either side
Where in-person still helps
Some things are easier on the ground: checking signage and printed samples, photo and video shoots, and launch events. A good agency will tell you early which parts need someone on site, and whether that is them, a local partner, or your own team with clear instructions.
What this looked like for our clients
For Nusantara Estates, a group of private villas in Bali, we designed the brand identity and a website where guests browse each villa and send booking enquiries. For Frosty Bro, an ice cream truck brand in the UAE, we built the brand and website and went on to manage its social media. Both ran almost entirely online.
If you are in another city or country and want to talk about your brand or website, book a meeting with us. You can also read how to choose a branding agency wherever you are.
Questions people ask us
Can a branding agency work with me if we never meet in person?
Yes. Most branding and website work runs well over video calls, shared design files and private test links. In-person meetings help for shoots, signage checks and launches, and can be planned when needed.
How do payments work with an agency in another country?
Agree the currency, the payment schedule and the invoicing entity at the start. Most agencies split payment into an advance and milestone payments, with the final payment before the files and logins are handed over.
Do you work with clients in Dubai, the UAE and Bali?
Yes. Alongside clients across India, we have worked on brands and websites in the UAE and Bali, mostly over video calls and shared links.
Working on a brand or website from another city?
Tell us what you are working on. Book a call or send a short brief, and we will come back with how we would approach it.