Choosing the right web development agency to work with can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the process or don’t know where to start. When deciding on which agency to choose, there are many things you should avoid doing in order to make sure that you’re going with the right one. This guide will help you to avoid 10 common mistakes that people make when choosing web development agencies so that you can ensure that your project runs smoothly and successfully from beginning to end.
Here are 10 Major Mistakes to avoid when Choosing a Web Development Agency
1) Looking only at Costs
The most affordable solution isn’t always going to be the best solution. It’s critical that you get a real sense of your vendors and their work. Look into their previous projects and social proof, as well as work samples, portfolios, testimonials, etc.
It may be tempting to look for an agency with rock-bottom prices in order to compete on cost—but the price is usually an indicator of value. Furthermore, going for an extremely cheap option may lead to additional costs in downtime due to poor quality or worse yet: losing your data altogether!
2) Lack of Research on Previous Clients
Let’s face it – you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. A solid web development company in India will be able to provide you with testimonials and references from past clients; before signing any dotted line, research these reviews thoroughly!
Take some time to read through previous client reviews, ask for personal recommendations from friends or business associates who have worked with agencies in the past, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if something seems odd. Finding an agency that has been vetted by someone you trust can make all of your future interactions easier.
3) Choosing too quickly
Choosing an agency too quickly is something that we all have been guilty of at one point or another. We don’t want to spend too much time finding companies and individuals, so we look for someone who has presented themselves as a potential partner to move forward with.
However, don’t be hasty; instead, make sure you take your time when choosing an agency. Once you’ve found several that could potentially fit your needs, try to visit them in person and get face-to-face meetings with everyone you can. This way, you’ll be able to find out about their company culture firsthand. A web app development agency that welcomes you into their office and shows pride in their work will likely go above and beyond for your project.
4) Believing they can’t make mistakes
The fact is, you can make mistakes when choosing an agency. It’s just going to happen. The key is to learn from your mistakes and put processes in place that prevent you from making those same ones again. For example, if your website doesn’t bring you leads or sales, ask why—and use that information to inform future decisions about which agencies to choose from and how you’ll evaluate them. Do what it takes not only to find a good agency but also one that will work with you for years.
5) Delegating your Project to Someone else
Be careful about letting anyone else assume control of your project. If your agency doesn’t have experience with your business model, you may end up in over your head. Instead, hire developers that specialize in particular technologies or practices relevant to what you want to accomplish on your site. Or do some research yourself and take an active role in steering all aspects of design and development.
At least then you’ll have more insight into potential problems as they arise. Good agencies will welcome any opportunity to include input from their clients—and if they don’t, consider that a red flag for future issues with communication or even competence.
6) Not getting Project Estimates in Writing
In many cases, unless you have an ironclad written contract that states otherwise, your agreement with a developer or agency can be terminated by either party with just 30 days’ notice. It may sound harsh, but it’s standard in some industries.
So even if you love working with your developers or designers and have great chemistry, expect them to bail out at any time. Never rely on verbal agreements when closing business deals; get everything in writing as soon as possible to avoid conflicts and confusion down the road.
7) Hiring an Agency without knowing What you Want
As with any other service provider, you want to find an agency that will work hard for you and treat your business like it’s their own. But just because some are out there promising 80-hour work weeks and claiming they can turn your website around in two weeks doesn’t mean that these things are actually possible.
Be wary of outlandish claims, keep an eye on how much of your project is being outsourced (and to whom), and don’t feel pressured into making decisions about expensive add-ons (like custom development) before you’re sure you need them. A reputable developer or agency should be able to explain why they think each element is important to achieve your goals, rather than simply taking your money and offering assurances.
8) Having Unrealistic Expectations
Everyone wants their website to look amazing, but it’s easy to get carried away. Designing sites is about more than just aesthetics. A quality site needs to be engaging and intuitive, but these things take time. Don’t expect your agency to be able to deliver a finished product in a matter of weeks.
There are many factors involved in creating something that works well, including choosing and integrating your content management system (CMS), designing mockups and wireframes, coding everything and testing it thoroughly, creating graphics and putting them into Photoshop or Illustrator files so that they can be properly resized for each screen size—the list goes on.
9) Assuming it’s Simple to Find the Right Agency
Finding a good developer for your project can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. While there are plenty of skilled companies out there, you don’t want to waste your time—or money—on agencies that aren’t as reliable or professional as you’d expect. Unfortunately, hiring isn’t always easy and mistakes can be costly.
Hiring a web development agency isn’t like hiring most service providers, or even consultants. The right firm for you may be one you’ve never heard of before. A common mistake many companies make is choosing an agency based on brand name alone, rather than credentials and past work.
Ask friends, colleagues, and peers for recommendations—if they had to start over from scratch today and were forced to pick an agency out of thin air without looking at any previous work, who would they choose? Take that company into serious consideration; there’s a good chance it will deliver what you need.
10) Not seeing any Red Flags when talking with Potential Agencies
Unless you know exactly what you want, it’s easy to get excited about any proposal. So don’t jump at every exciting option that’s presented to you. Beware of overly enthusiastic sales pitches—they may come from agencies looking to upsell their services, which can end up costing your business more money in the long run.
Make sure you understand what an agency is willing to provide and watch out for hard-to-understand language or fast-talking jargon. Before accepting any contract, have someone who understands contracts review it thoroughly; after all, there are many lawyers whose jobs depend on reading and interpreting legalese!
Conclusion
If you follow these simple guidelines and remember to do thorough research before picking your vendor, you’ll be off to a great start. But there are plenty of other things to consider in addition to price and services. For example:
- How quickly can your developer turn around work?
- Do they have strong customer service skills?
- How long has the company been in business?
- What kind of support does their company offer beyond web development?
There are many factors that go into choosing a web development agency, but if you avoid making any of these common mistakes, you’ll be on your way to finding an excellent partner for building your next website.
