The Biggest Mistakes When Choosing an App Development Company
The Biggest Mistakes When Choosing an App Development Company
Deciding to work with an app development company is no easy task. There are hundreds of agencies and freelancers in Turkey, and they all claim to be "the best." However, as Proeticaret, we've seen thousands of projects and learned that businesses often fall into specific traps during this process, unfortunately learning expensive lessons.
Today, we'll share the most common mistakes we've encountered and their solutions to help you avoid these pitfalls.
Focusing Only on Low Price and Ignoring Quality
This tops our list of failed projects. When a business chooses a company offering a quote of 5,000 liras for a project that should cost 50,000 liras, the results are usually far from satisfactory.
Let me tell you why: low prices typically mean inexperienced teams, inadequate testing processes, and lacking support services. After the project ends, problems arise, and that "cheap" company is suddenly nowhere to be found.
Here's the right approach: have a detailed negotiation with the app development company you're considering. Don't just ask about price—inquire about their previous projects, team structure, references, and the support package they'll provide afterward. Even if it costs a bit more, a professional company will address issues that arise after the project is completed.
Signing Contracts Without Understanding Technical Capabilities
Another common mistake we see: a client approaches a company without clearly defining their software needs and asks, "Can you do this?"
The agency says "yes, we can" because they don't want to lose the client. Three months later, it becomes clear that the features you requested aren't technically supported by that technology, or they'll cost significantly more.
We recommend this to our clients: before choosing an app development company, have a detailed phone call. Explain your project in detail. A good agency should tell you which technologies they'll use, why they've chosen them, and what limitations exist. If the answers are vague and general, don't trust that company.
Overlooking Post-Project Support
The project is complete, your application goes live, and then what? Nothing. Or rather, problems arise, but suddenly the app development company becomes extremely "busy."
In one project we've seen, the client experienced a critical bug two weeks after launch. It took 10 days just to get a response from the agency. During this time, they lost over 200 users daily.
Before signing any contract, always ask: how long will support be provided after the application goes live, how quickly will critical issues be addressed, and what will be the cost for additional feature development.
Poor Communication and Expectations Management
The project starts, but you can't reach the company. You voice your concerns loudly, looking for solutions, but responses are slow. Missed deadlines lead to wasted time, tension, and additional costs.
A good app development company should provide weekly or bi-weekly progress reports, assign a project manager, and that person should be your first point of contact when issues arise. When checking their references, always ask, "How was the communication?"
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get when choosing an app development company?
At least 3-5. This way you understand the market, get an idea about budget, and can compare the seriousness of different agencies.
What if they won't provide references?
Run. If a company is reluctant to provide references, there's a reason for it. Consistent and successful companies show examples of the projects they've worked on (excluding confidential ones).
How long should a project take?
It depends on the project, but approach unrealistic guarantees with caution. If an agency says they'll build a "simple app" in 2 weeks, it will probably be quick but low quality.
Conclusion and Taking the Right Step
Finding the right app development company takes time. Don't rush. Compare quotes, conduct interviews carefully, and don't skip reference checks. Think about long-term partnership benefits, not just low costs.
At Proeticaret, we offer services ranging from mobile applications to enterprise software. We believe in taking the right steps to make your project successful. If you need consultation on this matter, you can reach us at proeticaret.com.tr.
