How to choose a software development company: 12 questions to ask before you sign
Quick answer
Choose a software development company by checking three things before price: that they have built something similar and will show it, that they explain how they test and secure the software, and that you will own the code, data and accounts. Then compare written scopes, not headline prices.
Software projects go wrong often. A McKinsey and Oxford study of more than 6,000 IT projects found they ran on average 75% over budget and 46% over schedule (McKinsey). The company you choose, and the questions you ask before signing, decide much of that risk.
What should you ask a software development company?
Experience
- Can you show me something similar you built? A live demo beats a portfolio screenshot.
- Can I speak to a past client?
- Who will actually do the work? Meet the people, not only the salesperson.
Scope and price
- What exactly is included, and what is not? Get it in writing.
- Is the price fixed or hourly? If hourly, what is the cap?
- How are changes priced?
- How are payments split? Stages tied to working software protect you.
Quality and security
- How do you test before release?
- How do you protect against common attacks? A good answer mentions the OWASP Top 10, access control and encrypted connections.
- How are backups made, and have you tested a restore?
Ownership and support
- Will I own the code, data, domain and accounts?
- What support do I get after launch, and what does it cost?
Ask us all 12
Book a free call and put these questions to us directly.
What are the warning signs?
- A price given before they understand your process.
- No written scope, or a scope of one paragraph.
- Full payment up front.
- Hosting, domain or code kept in the developer’s name.
- Vague answers about testing and security.
- Promises that every feature can be built in a few weeks.
How do you compare quotes from different companies?
Put the written scopes side by side and check each line: features, number of screens or pages, integrations, testing, security, documentation, training and support. Then compare prices. A quote that is much cheaper usually covers less, and the gap shows up after launch.
How do you make the final decision?
Pick the company that understood your business best, explained the risks honestly and gave you the clearest scope. If two are close, start with a small paid piece of work, such as a discovery phase or one feature, and see how they communicate and deliver.
From my work
When I test other teams’ software for security, the projects in the best shape share one habit: someone wrote down how access is controlled and how the system is backed up before the code was written. When you interview a company, ask them to explain those two things in plain words. If they cannot, that tells you more than their portfolio.
Rather have an expert do it?
Get your website, store or system price in 60 seconds.
Prefer to talk? A real person replies within 1 business day.