Once you’ve decided to move forward with your search for the right outsourced app development company, it’s likely that funds will be top of mind. But if you’re looking to keep your costs low, it’s important to remember that when it comes to app development, cheaper isn’t always better.
In fact, there are numerous red flags that you should keep your eyes peeled for, as many app development firms will try to take advantage of you by offering what appear to be unbeatable low prices. In reality, there’s a serious tradeoff here, and choosing to spend less upfront can lead to issues for your business later on.
Here are six reasons why an app development partner might be offering low prices for their services, as well as what you should be looking for instead.
6 Reasons an App Development Partner Might Be Offering Low Prices
1. They might plan on passing work on to developers with even lower hourly rates.
Becoming a software engineer is easier than ever before. With so much information available online, pretty much anyone with an internet connection can start to learn how to code.
That being said, potential app development partners are most likely more familiar with the market than you are. Accordingly, they know where to find the cheapest labor when it comes to building your digital solution.
Some of the shadier app development companies out there will try to pull a fast one on you. If you don’t confirm exactly who will be building your code, these companies might pass the buck down to a low level, inexperienced engineer for cheap.
During your conversations with potential app development partners, it’s imperative to come to a concrete agreement about exactly who will be building your code.
2. Their team may only consist of junior level, inexperienced developers.
Other app development firms might turn around and then hand responsibility over to an engineer outside of their company. This is risky, since they may have inexperienced developers at the ready, that they plan to assign to your project.
If this is the case, the quality of your solution will suffer, and you’ll risk experiencing delays in your project
As mentioned previously, if you’re considering moving forward with an app development partner by signing a contract, you’ll want to firmly agree upon the individual team members that will be responsible for delivering your code.
3. They may be underestimating the project scope on purpose.
As you evaluate potential app development partners, you may find yourself looking for the team that claims they’re able to deliver your finished product the fastest.
Be careful. If one team is offering a proposed timeline that’s much shorter than what’s being proposed by other teams, they may be underestimating the project scope on purpose.
Sometimes app development companies will overpromise on being able to deliver a solution quickly, all the while knowing that what they’re offering isn’t feasible. These companies are just trying to get you to sign a contract so that you’re stuck working with them even after the proposed deadline has come and gone.
To avoid scenarios like this, be sure to ask for previous client recommendations from all potential development partners. If previous clients were left satisfied, and with their product in their hands within the agreed upon timeline, then you’re most likely safe to move forward.
4. Their team may plan to work on multiple projects at once.
Prices charged by app development companies will go down if their engineers are working on more than one project at a time.
If your outsourced team of developers isn’t entirely focused on your project, and your project alone, then you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll experience delays. At the very least, your deadline will be further down the road than if the developers were wholly focused on building your solution.
If getting your solution into the market quickly is of any concern at all, be sure to confirm with potential app development partners that the engineers working on your project will be fully dedicated to your initiative alone.
5. They may plan on using a ready-made solution as the foundation of your app.
Some app development companies look for the quick fix. One of the most common examples of this is when a firm uses simple app builders.
But building your app on top of traditional app builders will mean that eventually your app will have no individuality, and will look extremely similar to other apps in the market — most likely your competitors’.
When comparing prospective app development teams, always choose the one who is able to commit to building your solution from the ground up. This will result in your application providing unique experiences to users, which can make all the difference in the long run.
6. There might not be a dedicated Project Manager for your initiative.
Any best-in-class app development partner will offer a dedicated Project Manager along with their services.
However, lower level agencies won’t have the resources required to appoint one person to be in charge of ensuring that everything goes smoothly with your project. When this is the case, the responsibility falls to the head outsourced developer, which can leave things vaguely open-ended.
Confirm with any app development partner you’re considering working with that you’ll have one dedicated person who is solely in charge of setting expectations for the project, and ensuring that they are achieved on time and within the project’s scope.
Final Thoughts
Remaining aware of these six red flags as you search for and choose the app development partner that’s best for your business’ needs will increase the chances of your project going smoothly significantly.
Remember — just because a firm is offering low prices to bring your app idea to reality, doesn’t mean that they are the ones who should win your business.
At Koombea, we provide top of the line development experiences at an affordable cost. Our team of expert developers are ready to help you shape your vision, and build your product from the ground up. Schedule a free, 30-minute consultation today!