BEFORE CHOOSING A WEB DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, REVIEW THIS LIST
There were 23.9 million web developers worldwide in 2019. It is anticipated the it will rise to 27.7 million in 2023. So it could seem as though choosing a web development company to manage the creation of your new web app shouldn't provide even the slightest challenge.
However, it's clear that it's not that simple to discover a web development company that can both comprehend the business objectives of each organization and design effective, sturdy web apps for them based on the amount of horror stories of web development processes gone wrong.
A lot of times, development fails because the clients are unaware that the most crucial stage is to conduct extensive research before selecting a web partner. So how can you choose an agency that matches your demands the best? Or, more specifically, what should you do to get ready for meetings with web development partners for your company website or web app? Here are a few actions you ought to think about taking.
#1 Consider your objectives.
Consider your goals carefully before writing an RFP, seeking recommendations, or searching online for possible web companies. Setting specific objectives for your new web application, such as raising brand awareness or growing revenue by a certain percentage, is a smart idea. Having a clear plan will make it easier for you to decide which features to add to your website and what kind of web developers to work on them. Additionally, it might assist you in determining what you need from your online partner (such as content) against what you already have.
Your objectives should be as specific and practical as you can. Goals like "I want more customers" or "I want to be #1 in search engines" may sound good on paper, but they aren't detailed enough to let you know whether your web app will help you achieve your business objectives or not.
#2 Put value of web development agency ahead of price
A simple static web application with only three pages or so may have existed in the early days of the internet, and visitors would still be astounded. However, given that there are currently more than 1 billion websites on the internet, unless you can attract website visitors to your page, they won't pay it any attention.
You need a web app that is visually appealing, loads quickly, and is easy to use if you want your new business web app to succeed. The page should function flawlessly on both a desktop computer and a smartphone or tablet, as 73.1% of web designers say that a non-responsive design is one of the main reasons why users quit a web app.
However, given the costs associated with creating a bespoke web app or rebuilding your existing one, you might believe it would be preferable to go with the least expensive option and hope for the best. However, that tactic nearly never succeeds.
Remember that a web app is an investment rather than an expense, and quality web apps aren't cheap. The cost of a web app from a reputable web agency may be higher, but you also get their experience in building enterprise-level web apps, access to cutting-edge technology, and support following launch. Your site will endure much longer if the up-front expenditures are high because you'll normally pay less for maintenance, agency help in case of a problem, or web app updates. So, while it's never a good idea to go over budget to acquire a modern web app, it's also usually not a good idea to go with the cheapest option.
#3 Consider the web applications you enjoy.
Do you have any favorite industry-specific online applications? That could provide you with some insight into how to create your own web application and who to collaborate with. Usually, a link to the website development business that made it is located at the bottom of the page. This is a wonderful place to look to find online companies. However, if there isn't, you might think about getting in touch with the business to find out who created the web app; that way, you'd be able to receive the contact details and testimonials for the web development firm.
Hiring a web development business that has already produced web apps for your sector that you enjoy using is frequently a good choice because it demonstrates the company's expertise in the area and also enables you to more clearly communicate your vision.
#4 Determine whether your web development company is staying current.
With new tools, trends, graphic design methods, responsive design as a whole, and approaches constantly emerging, the technology sector is undergoing rapid change. If you want your web app to remain current as trends shift, pay close attention to whether the development company you're considering hiring is aware of not only what's currently in demand but also what's on the horizon.
Asking a prospective web app development partner how they stay current in their field and whether they encourage and support their team members' ongoing education is a smart idea. A further advantage is providing clients with workshops, courses, and explanations of operational procedures and potential marketing approaches (or other digital marketing services).
#5 Communication Is Vital
It will be difficult (if not impossible) to complete your web app project or development services if you are not in constant contact with your web development agency. As the project progresses, things could change abruptly, and the development team could also encounter difficulties. Because of this, it's essential that you can count on your web partner to keep you informed throughout the project and that there will be someone you can contact if you have any questions.
Investigating how frequently and in what ways the team regularly interacts with clients is a smart idea in this case. One way to do this is by reading reviews and client testimonials. Ask the development companies how frequently you can expect to hear from them when you chat with them, as well as if you will have a specific person who will serve as your "first point of contact" for any project-related issues.
Avoid falling into the micromanagement trap if you are outsourcing your project to a company with which you will only have online contact. If you don't communicate with the agency, you might get a product you don't like, but insisting on daily progress calls or meetings can be just as detrimental. For your long-term business growth, a quick weekly check-in followed by a more thorough discussion once a project milestone was reached should be more than sufficient.
#6 Does a web development company comprehend your needs?Â
Despite the fact that you may not be completely knowledgeable about the web development process, you go into the web development firm with a set of more or less clear goals in mind. The agency's role is to comprehend your primary objectives, offer advice on how the project should be managed, and put you in touch with the appropriate developers. However, unless they pay close attention to what you have to say and make an effort to comprehend your objectives, it may be challenging to make the project a success. They shouldn't merely listen to what you have to say, make a note of the features you want on the web app, and then promise to give you whatever you ask for.
Contrarily, development companies should carefully listen to your goals in order to suggest the finest solutions—even if they diverge from what you initially desired—for project management, application development, and digital presence.
#7 Verify who will own the code after the web application is complete.
You might be startled to learn that, depending on who owns the web app's source code, your web app may not truly be "yours" once the project is complete. Why is it important? You'll need to get in touch with the web development business every time you want to make a modification to your website or bespoke web application if they maintain the code. And what if you subsequently wanted someone else to update your web app for online presence or restructure content management systems? Your alternatives are fairly constrained unless the web developers agree to transfer the code rights to you.
It's crucial to determine who will own the code once your web app is released—the software business or you. Open-source code leaves your options open and enables you to locate someone else (even among committed teams) without having to start over in the event that you and your web partner decide to part ways.
#8 Do they offer integration with the technology you are currently using?
The next point is crucial for those of you who are considering web redesign choices, but it could also be useful for people who want to create a web app from scratch. You undoubtedly use a few tools on a regular basis, such as a CRM, analytics platform, or any other program that connects to your web app or website. Tell the development team about them if you want to use them in your new web app and ask them to include the integrations.
If not, your potential web partner for a development project might want to incorporate those on your new site rather than provide support for the tools you are already using since he loves them more than you do. Of course, it's a good idea to be receptive to any recommendations made by the web developers. However, if you are unclear about the integrations your web app might require, you and your team may have to learn how to utilize a totally other system, or you may have to pay the development team more money to build the integrations later.
#9 Additional services that web development companies might offer?
Giving you a finished and running web application does not mean the task is finished. Regular maintenance and occasionally troubleshooting services are necessary to keep everything operating smoothly. Because of this, you should seek out a web development agency that is willing to collaborate with you on multiple projects over the course of time rather than just one. However, it goes beyond just having a technical support person on hand. Instead, you should employ someone who will keep an eye on market developments and trends (such as graphic design, other design services, or even mobile applications if necessary) and offer advice on how to keep your web application current.
Make sure to find out if potential web companies or design firms have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and/or Maintenance/Support Plan in place, as well as what it entails. But you should also inquire about their expectations for your continued collaboration once the site debuts. You can find out what kind of long-term commitment a web company is willing to make and what kind of support you can anticipate from them in the future with the use of queries like these.