August 25th, 2025 at 05:47 pm
Choosing a development agency is like hiring a key business partner. The right choice can accelerate your growth, while the wrong one can lead to costly delays and a product that misses the mark. The process of vetting developers and hiring a software agency shouldn’t be rushed. It requires due diligence.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the most critical questions to ask a development agency. Their answers will reveal their competence, transparency, and whether they are the right fit for you.
Questions About Their Process
Understanding an agency’s workflow is key to predicting what it will be like to work with them. A well-defined process is a sign of an experienced and organized team.
- Can you walk me through your entire development process, from discovery to deployment?
Look for a structured answer that mentions specific phases like Discovery/Strategy, UI/UX Design, Development Sprints, Quality Assurance (QA), and Deployment. This gives you insight into their client onboarding process and shows they have a repeatable formula for success. - How do you manage projects and ensure you stay on schedule and within budget?
A confident agency will name their tools (like Jira, Asana, or Trello) and, most importantly, mention a dedicated Project Manager. Ask how they track progress and how they handle unexpected roadblocks or changes in scope. - How involved will we be as clients, and what will you need from us?
The best agencies see clients as collaborators. They should outline a clear plan for your involvement, including regular check-ins, sprint review meetings, and providing timely feedback. If they suggest you won’t be heavily involved, it’s a red flag.
Questions About Communication
Clear and consistent communication can make or break a project. These questions set expectations from day one.
- Who will be our primary point of contact?
The answer should be a single person, typically a Project Manager or an Account Manager. Having one dedicated point of contact prevents miscommunication and ensures accountability. If they say “you can just talk to the developers,” be cautious, as this can lead to chaos. - What is your standard communication cadence?
A professional agency will have a pre-defined schedule for communication. This should include regular status updates (daily or weekly via Slack or email) and scheduled meetings (e.g., a weekly progress call).
Questions About Technical Expertise
This is where you vet their technical chops and ensure they have the experience to deliver a high-quality product.
- Can you share case studies of similar projects? Can we speak with 1-2 of your past clients?
This is one of the most important questions to ask a development agency. A strong portfolio is good, but verifiable client references are golden. An agency that is hesitant to connect you with past clients is a major warning sign. - Who will own the source code and intellectual property (IP)?
There is only one correct answer to this question: “You, the client.” This must be stated unequivocally in the contract. Any ambiguity here is a deal-breaker. - What is your approach to code quality and testing?
A top-tier agency will talk about their quality assurance (QA) process, including peer code reviews, automated testing, manual testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) phases. This shows they are committed to delivering a polished, bug-free product.
Questions About Post-Launch Support
The project isn’t over once the code is deployed. You need a partner who will be there for you after launch.
- What kind of post-launch support or warranty do you offer? Look for a clearly defined support period (e.g., 30-90 days) where they will fix any bugs discovered after launch free of charge. Ask about their long-term maintenance plans and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- How do you handle urgent issues or emergencies after the project is live? Every software product can have unexpected issues. A reliable agency will have a clear process for emergency support, including guaranteed response times and how to get in touch with them for critical problems.
Red Flags to Watch For in Their Answers
When hiring a software agency, listening for what they don’t say is as important as what they do say. Watch out for:
- Vague or Evasive Answers: A lack of specific details about their process is a sign of inexperience.
- A “Yes” to Everything: A good partner will push back, ask clarifying questions, and be honest about potential challenges. Promising the world without understanding the details is unrealistic.
- Hesitation to Provide References: This is the biggest red flag. It suggests they don’t have a track record of happy clients.
- No Dedicated Project Manager: Without a PM, projects often suffer from poor communication, missed deadlines, and scope creep.
- Pressure to Sign Immediately: A reputable agency will give you the time and information you need to make a considered decision.
By asking these critical questions, you can move beyond the sales pitch and truly understand the capabilities and character of a potential development partner.
Partner with an agency that welcomes tough questions. Schedule a call with us to experience the difference.
