Because in the long run, the costs of adapting to predefined software, the costs of integration, scaling up etc. might prove to be higher. Or it might even be that the money put into deployment of this solution will be just thrown away if the software isn’t able to meet some crucial requirements.

The bottom line is that the overall cost of a project is a highly individual matter, as it depends on a variety of factors, such as the number and nature of some specific features you want to include, the amount of people involved, the country where your software agency is based, and many others. We explain the detailed process of calculating the estimated price of app development in this article, so make sure to check it out for more details.

• Check references. While quite an obvious one, many people tend to skip this step, attracted by low prices or bright visuals. Marketing is good, but try asking around on platforms like Clutch, that actually verify their reviewers and provide valuable insights;
• Meet the team. Or at least some people representing the team. You don’t need to become best friends, but your app developers will be your business partners for at least a few months – you need to make sure you’ll get along before committing to a project;
• Consider your needs. There are software agencies of all shapes and sizes out there. Do you need something unique and complex or will a simple template-based app do? Are you looking for a one-stop service or is there a specific aspect of your product you’d like to work on at the moment? What is your budget? Ask yourself all these questions and more and try to find a vendor that fits your list the best;
• Research them. Have an eye for a certain company already? Take a look at their portfolio and check the technology they use. You don’t need to be aguru of software development yourself, but at least this way you’ll be sure they know what they are talking about. Ask yourself if you like their style, their area of expertise, their approach to clients – all of these can become critical issues if overlooked in the very beginning;
• Ask questions. This is the final and the most important advice – transparent communication goes both ways. A development company will not be able to honestly tell you if they are the right fit for your product idea unless you share it with them. Don’t be afraid to talk, to ask questions, and to receive guidance. We always want our clients to succeed, so we can only assume it’s the same for the other agencies.