8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring App Developers
You’re several branches into the decision tree of building a software engineering team for your sports app. You’ve assessed project costs and decided to outsource. Moreover, you’ve decided to hire app developers via the onshore route instead of taking your chances with offshoring.
But, by some estimates, there are more than 4,500 custom software development firms in the US alone. Even if you’ve decided to work with an onshore developer, the choice isn’t necessarily easy. Where do you even start?
8 Questions to Ask Before Outsourcing App Development
Your process needs to be methodical. Put the top contenders to the test, investigate their portfolios, and see if their area of focus and vision aligns with your goals.
1. Are they aligned with your vision?
Unless someone in your management team happens to have a technical background, it’s mission-critical that the software engineers you hire can seamlessly translate your product vision into reality.
And the vision goes beyond a simple MVP. To execute a product prototype that nails your expectations, your team and the software development partners must have some alignment of organizational values, structure, and ethics. In short, they must care about your project to clearly visualize and properly realize the founders’ vision.
2. Do they have case studies and testimonials?
Akin to the references section on a resume, before you hire app developers you’ll want to review your prospect’s case studies, testimonials, and previous projects. Does their team have a track record of successfully executed mobile apps? Glowing testimonials and references help.
3. Do they specialize in your industry?
Imagine trying to build out the technical components of the next great sports betting app but without any betting experience. You’d never put a hockey goalie in front of a soccer net, and you should never hire a non-specialized app developer for your team. You want developers fit for the job who have experience building the technologies and features that are integral to your sector.
Especially if you are launching in the sports betting sector, a hyper-regulated space, the partners you choose to work with should have a history of navigating the intricacies of betting apps.
4. If you hire app developers, will they support you after launch day?
Whether you’re working towards an MVP, a more compelling interactive prototype, or the final polished sports app, you’ll want to know the engineering team you’ve chosen can take you well past the finish line.
Can your developer transform a simple MVP into a fully scaled enterprise app? Then, can they carry you through testing and deployment? And perhaps most importantly, can they provide ongoing post-launch support for future evolutions of your product? All questions to ask during your quest.
5. What does their current client roster look like? Do they value each partnership or grind out project after project?
You’ve decided to hire app developers from an onshore company for a reason. You aren’t looking for a body shop. Instead, you want a development team that tackles each project like their own, with staff specifically dedicated to getting your vision off the ground.
Realistically, you can tell from the caliber of their case studies and client testimonials if they value quality over quantity. But it also never hurts to inquire directly about their current client roster and typical engineer workload.
6. How much technical and project support will you need to have in-house?
Do they have a dedicated product manager and/or a senior software engineer to set as your point person for your sports app project? Or will you need someone in-house to manage technical execution while fielding founder questions about issues currently buried in code?
The makeup of your executive team and its capacity for product management will determine how much technical oversight and managerial support you’ll need from your software engineering partner. Whether or not you need this and whether or not they can provide it are two critical branches in your decision-making process.
7. Is their pricing transparent?
There is a reason 56 percent of companies seek to renegotiate the pricing structure: price transparency. Look to hire software engineers with clear pricing models, whether fixed price, time and materials, shared risk-reward, or incentive-based.
There should be no surprises, even if the project goes over time or budget. Contingencies need to be baked into the agreement well beforehand. Ensure the budget, timeline, and quality are transparently connected to developer pricing.
8. Do they have any strategic partnerships that support related ancillary services?
The more connected they are with the service providers in your niche, the easier your road to launch will be.
For example, at Locker Room Labs, we’ve partnered with SportsData.io to connect our clients with millions of streamlined data points from one of the most reputed names in the sector. We’ve also partnered with FUSED Talent for those technology teams looking for an outsourced recruiting firm to find full-time software engineering resources.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel, wasting valuable time negotiating and integrating third-party systems into your platform. Instead, build off your developer’s strategic partnerships to benefit from their already forged connections.
How to Hire App Developers? Seek Long Term Partnerships
As you make your way down the path to hiring an outsourced software engineering partner, it’s paramount to ensure their values align with yours. Beyond values, their track record can speak volumes about their reliability and capabilities. Especially in niche sectors like sports betting, hiring developers with sports industry experience is crucial.
Look to hire app developers who can offer more than just an MVP but also an ongoing partnership with strategic industry integrations, post-app launch support, and established systems. Even if you only have a three to six month project timeline, approach this decision like you’re creating a long-term engagement.
Locker Room Labs’ team of US-based senior engineers and strategic partnerships support you from concept to deployment with industry-specific expertise.
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