Questions
The questions I get asked most.
Only real ones, each with the same advice I would give you on a call. Not here? Ask me directly.
Hiring
Freelancer or agency for a first app?
For a first app with a clear scope, a single developer you talk to directly is usually faster and cheaper, because nothing is lost between an account manager and the person writing code. An agency makes sense when you need many specialists at once. Ask who exactly will write your code either way.
Do I need a native app, or is a website enough?
If people need it offline, push notifications or the camera, build an app. If they just look things up or book something, a fast mobile website is cheaper and easier to find on Google. Many first products should start as the website.
Cost
How do I judge a quote?
A fair quote lists what is included and what is not, splits the price by milestones you can test, and says how changes are handled. A single lump sum with a vague scope is where projects go wrong. The checklist below shows what to look for.
Why do two quotes for the same app differ so much?
Usually because they assume different things: number of screens, whether the admin panel is included, which integrations, how much testing. Ask each vendor to write down their assumptions, and compare those before comparing prices.
Process
What should I have ready before the first call?
One sentence on who the app is for and what problem it solves, two or three apps you like, and what has to work on day one. You don't need designs or a feature list. Working out what to leave out is part of the job.
What happens if we stop midway?
You should be able to walk away with the code and accounts built so far. Ask for this in writing before you pay anything, from anyone you hire.
