Choosing Wisely Matters
Picking the wrong technology partner is expensive. Not just the money you waste on a failed project, but the time lost, the opportunity cost, and sometimes the damage to your business.
We've seen businesses get burned by agencies that over-promise and under-deliver. By developers who disappear mid-project. By consultants who recommend complex solutions for simple problems because that's how they make money.
You deserve better. This guide will help you evaluate potential partners, ask the right questions, and spot warning signs before you commit.
What to Look For
Relevant experience. Have they done something similar to what you need? Ask for examples.
Clear communication. Do they explain things in plain language? If they hide behind jargon, they might be hiding incompetence.
Transparency about limitations. Good partners tell you what they're not good at. Bad ones claim to do everything.
Focus on your outcomes. Are they asking about your business goals, or just what features you want to build?
Realistic promises. Anyone guaranteeing specific results or impossibly fast timelines is probably lying.
Referenceability. Are they willing to connect you with past clients? Reluctance is a red flag.
Cultural fit. You'll be working closely with these people. Do your communication styles match?
Warning Signs to Watch For
Lowest price in the market. There's usually a reason. Inexperience, offshore teams managed poorly, cutting corners, or planning to hit you with change orders later.
Vague contracts. If it's not clear what you're getting, what happens when things go wrong, and how changes are handled, be careful.
Reluctance to share process. Good partners can explain exactly how they work. If they're evasive, wonder why.
Pushing their solution before understanding your problem. If they're recommending a specific technology or approach before really understanding your situation, they may be selling what they know, not what you need.
No client references. Everyone has unhappy clients sometimes. But if they can't produce anyone willing to speak positively about them, that's telling.
All their work looks the same. Some shops use templates for everything. That's fine for simple projects, but concerning if you need something custom.
Questions to Ask
Before committing to a partner, get clear answers to these:
**About their experience:**
- What similar projects have you done?
- What challenges did you face and how did you handle them?
- Can I speak with those clients?
**About the process:**
- How will communication work?
- How do you handle changes to scope?
- What happens if we're unhappy with something?
**About the team:**
- Who will actually be working on my project?
- What's their experience level?
- Will I have a dedicated point of contact?
**About deliverables:**
- What exactly will I receive?
- Who owns the code/designs?
- What ongoing support is included?
**About problems:**
- What could go wrong with this project?
- How do you handle disagreements?
- What happens if the project runs over budget?
Protecting Yourself
Get it in writing. Clear scope, timeline, costs, ownership of deliverables, and what happens if things go wrong.
Start small if possible. If you can, begin with a smaller project to test the relationship before committing to something large.
Milestone-based payments. Don't pay everything upfront. Tie payments to delivered milestones.
Own your stuff. Make sure you own the code, designs, and access to your accounts. You shouldn't be hostage to a vendor.
Check references. Actually call their past clients. Ask specific questions about the experience.
Trust your gut. If something feels off in the sales process, it probably doesn't get better once you've signed.
Want to See How We Work?
We're happy to answer any questions about our process, share references, and explain exactly how we'd approach your project.
Let's Have an Honest ConversationFrequently Asked Questions
Don't just compare price. Look at what's included, how they handle changes, what happens if things go wrong, and how much experience they have with your type of project. The cheapest proposal often becomes the most expensive project.
Freelancers can be great for well-defined, smaller projects. Agencies are better for complex projects that need multiple skill sets or ongoing support. The key is matching the resource to the project needs.