Looking for a web development or design agency shouldn’t be complex. There are several options online nowadays which is why it is important for business owners everywhere to be aware of these points in order to evaluate their options properly. Regardless of the size of your project, having the right team to work on it will make a great difference.
Lack of communication/long waits
Consider any agency to take on your project, whether it is for an update, redesign, development, etc. Communication is key and the best way to get a clear view of what you are looking for in your business’s platform.
Lack of communication with the team can result in mediocre results, wasting time and money. A professional web development agency will always prioritize clear communication with the client. We understand how important it is to know how your project is progressing and to get responses on the questions that may worry you along the process.
In order to guarantee that no email, message, or call is left behind, at CodeTactic we developed a project management platform where the clients can communicate their ideas, questions, or concerns to the project manager as well as the rest of the team. In addition, the client can always see what the team is working on in real-time and which tasks are completed along the project.
Is this a deal breaker?
Depends. If you see that you are constantly unaware or unclear of the process, you have doubts that are not properly cleared out by the team in a timely matter then yes.. run.
If it was just a minor issue due to a specific problem and you realize this is not how the agency usually works, then you are good. Keep in mind that is also important to check reviews and portfolios as well so you know the type of agency you are going to work with.
Not enough questions are being asked
Several clients looking to create their new platform are unclear about what type of information the team members will need to start. As a web design/ development company, our job is to create a CUSTOM platform, unique to each business and its goals. That means we NEED to ask as many questions as possible to know your business, the audience you are looking to target, your goals, your needs, what are you looking for, how you are looking to reach your audience, etc.
Understanding is the FIRST and most important step for any team to start your project. We need to have a blueprint in order to create the best and highest quality platform that will work for you in the long run.
Is this a deal breaker?
We believe it is. If you are trying to create a new platform or update your is because you have a real need to enter the “digital world” through your platform and improve your business. With this in mind, how could that happen if the team you are working with is not clear as to what you do, your audience, your goals, etc?
Custom development/design comes with custom needs, requirements, etc. The team has to know everything about your business in order to provide the best result.
Many promises to be delivered in a short timeline
It is always nice to hear a really short timeline, who wouldn’t want to have the platform/website of their dreams in just a few hours/days? But it is important to understand that custom development or design is not meant to be done in just a few hours or days. (with very very few exceptions).
Custom platforms depend on a lot of different factors that have to be considered in the timeline. The client’s output is one of them (and probably one of the most important factors). If an agency is promoting the “we’ll have it within a day” shallow promises, then chances are it will be a less-than-desirable platform or even a scam.
Your platform is your presentation card for your business, please take the time to consider these details before getting started.
Is this a deal breaker?
Not necessarily, depending on the type of project, you can accept a short timeline, as long as you have clear details on the work needed and you are clear as to how the time will be handled for your projects.
If you are interested in software development or a management system for your business, then you can not expect it to be done in a few days…
Not a clear timeline and/or transparency about the process.
Timeline clarity is a must, you need to know exactly how your project is going to be worked on, how time is being managed and if it is in fact, being done. Lack of transparency in a project can result in a long wait for mediocre results.
Our team, at CodeTactic, developed an especially design management platform to avoid these issues and provide our client with the best communication systems possible. With our management system, you will be able to provide comments, notes, and feedback to the entire team directly through your project, you will be able to check the tasks that the team is working on in REAL TIME and be a part of every step of your project as it progresses.
Is this a deal breaker?
Yes, it is. If you are unclear as to what is being done, the work involved, or schedules for updates, previewing, etc. then you are walking towards disaster. Even if the client doesn’t really “want” to be involved (because sometimes they just want to trust the team and process) you should always be notified of the work being done and what is to come.
Not enough projects in the portfolio
Every agency has to provide a portfolio to showcase the projects they have been involved in. For any new client, it is important to see what industries they have worked for before, with what kind of programming languages, and of course, the result of their projects. It’s important to show how did previous clients benefit from the project worked on, what were the challenges and how the agency overcome them,
Details are crucial when it comes to online platforms, whether is software development for an enterprise or small business e-commerce, details can make the difference. Regardless of the size of the project, every detail must be precisely developed thinking of long-term functionality.
Is this a deal breaker?
It is not. You can always discuss it with the agency, getting details about their experience is helpful as well. It will depend on how involved you will be with the project if you are able to trust it 100% to the team or if you will be on top of every detail. The best scenario is where you can completely trust the process to the agency you are working with and be a little as involved as possible. This means that this process will not take valuable time from you so you can focus on your business.
We understand it can be frustrating. Especially now that there are several options out there. Please take your time to discuss your concerns with the team you intend to work with right from the start. This is also a great indicative on how they will handle the communication for the future. Web development, design, SEO, and much more, is all meant to improve your brand online. Taking that off your mind will allow you to take care of other important aspects of your business.
CodeTactic Media Inc. is a web development and design company with over 12 years of experience in the field. We have a team of local professionals ready to work on your project. Whether you need to update your platform or create a brand new system to manage your business. We are here to help! Let’s chat!
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