Methodology

5 questions to ask BEFORE signing up with a web development agency

Choose one web development agency is a decisive step for any company that wants to succeed in its digital project. However, according to a recent study, 60% of French businesses say they are dissatisfied with their first collaboration. The reason? A misalignment between their needs And thereal expertise of the agency.

To avoid these mistakes, it is essential to ask the good questions right from the start. This guide helps you assess technical competence, thecustomer approach And the methodology adopted prior to any commitment.

Chez Scalapp, we believe that a good project is based on listening, transparency and adapted web solutions. Whether to create a Showcase site, a Mobile app Or a business software, our team focuses onuser experience, the performance And the strategy.

Let's now discover the 5 essential questions to ask to secure your project.

1. What are your past achievements in our sector?

Before signing with a web development agency, it is essential to ensure that it understands the specific issues of your business. Each sector has its own codes, its own uses, and especially its own digital goals. An agency that has already worked with businesses similar to yours will be much more able to offer effective and targeted solutions, whether it is a showcase site, a mobile application, internal software or a more complex business tool.

Asking this question allows you to check thematch between their skills And your technical needs. Ask them for comprehensive case studies. You should be able to consult:

· The customer goals upstream of the project (acquisition, conversion, SEO performance, digital transformation, etc.);

· The technologies used (frameworks, CMS, low-code tools, mobile solutions);

· The results obtained : traffic growth, UX improvement, process automation, performance optimization, etc.

A serious service provider will not hesitate to share their concrete achievements and to provide verifiable references. Do not hesitate to consult their web creations to assess the quality of design, of the technical design, anduser experience.

👉 Example: An agency specialized in the development ofmobile applications for SMEs Will adopt a strategy, a methodology And functionalities very different from a general agency. Likewise, an agency that is expert in Technical SEO And in optimizing performance will offer more extensive support for projects with a strong marketing ambition.

Chez Scalapp, we present our projects carried out in France and internationally with transparency. Whether it's e-commerce platforms, SaaS solutions or custom tools, our team of experts works hand in hand with the customer to respond precisely to their business needs, while guaranteeing security, performance and smooth user experience.

2. What methodology do you use to manage projects?

One web development agency Serious does not content itself with delivering a functional product: it sets up a clear methodology, structured and adapted to complexity of the project, to your objectives and to your internal organization.

Start by understanding their development approach. Is it oriented Agile or Waterfall ?

· The Agile method relies on short iterations, frequent deliveries, and a large flexibility. It is ideal for projects where needs are changing along the way, or when you want to test, adjust, optimize theuser experience progressively.

· Conversely, an approach Waterfall better suited to projects with a well-defined perimeter from the start. It follows a linear structure, with a technical framing complete before the start of development. It offers a global and planned vision, but does not adapt well to changes.

Then, find out about the communication and reporting management. A good digital agency must set up regular progress reports (weekly or bi-weekly) to share the status of progress, possible obstacles and next steps.
Les project management tools used — as Jira, Trello or Slack — must be accessible, collaborative and effective. This reinforces the transparency, optimizes the productivity, and allows you to stay involved throughout the creating your site or of your web application.

Finally, don't forget to discuss the risk management :

· What is their procedure in case of Delay, of Bug, or a change request along the way?

· Are they able to manage a evolution of the perimeter without calling into question the whole digital strategy ?

· Do they offer solutions for maintenance and post-delivery follow-up?

Chez Scalapp, we prefer an approach Adapted agile, where the technique is at the service of customer needs. We guarantee a rigorous support, with a dedicated team, frequent deliverables and a proactive management of hazards. Our methodology favorsinnovation, the security, the trustworthiness deliverables and a perfect compliance with business goals.

3. How do you ensure safety and technical performance?

Behind each successful web project, there is a solid architecture, a secure code, and optimized performances. Working with a web development agency, it also means making sure that it applies high technical standards, both for the data security And for the fluidity of the user experience.

Start by asking them security policy. A serious agency must be able to:

· Meet the requirements of RGPD in terms of data collection and storage,

· Protect your platforms against SQL injections, the CSS faults and other common threats,

· Suggest a robust encryption sensitive information, whether for a e-commerce site, a Mobile app Or a business software.

Côté technical performances, the criteria are just as crucial:

· The Core Web Vitals (loading time, interactivity, visual stability) should be carefully optimized for better SEO referencing And a smooth user experience ;

· The charging time must remain under 2 seconds, especially on mobile;

· The Responsive design is no longer an option: each interface must adapt perfectly to all media.

La maintenance is also an indicator of professionalism. The agency must ensure:

· Of regular updates tools, plugins and frameworks,

· Of automatic backups to avoid data loss,

· One clear reactivity in the event of an incident or flaw detected, with a SLA (Service Level Agreement) adapted to your challenges.

Chez Scalapp, the security And the technical performance are integrated from the phase of designing. Our developers apply the code best practices, use tools from automated monitoring, and guarantee a continuous support, including in the phase of post-delivery. Each project, whether it is a Showcase site, of a business tool Or of a mobile platform, is designed to combine speed, trustworthiness and maximum security.

4. What support do you offer after delivery?

One website Or a Mobile app well designed does not mark the end of the project, but rather the beginning of a relationship of trust. A good web development agency does not disappear once the platform is delivered: it offers a solid post-delivery support, designed to ensure the sustainability, the security And thecontinuous evolution of your solution.

🔧 User training


Ask if a training is included to take control of the tools delivered. You need to be able to:

· Manage content via the Back office (pages, media, blog, SEO, etc.);

· Perform simple updates without always depending on a developer.

A clear transfer of skills, accompanied by teaching materials Or of tutorials, is essential for your internal teams gain autonomy.

📞 Responsive technical support


A site, even perfectly developed, may encounter bugs or require adjustments. Check if a support hours package is included and what are the intervention times in case of a problem.
One reliable agency defines specific service levels: urgent corrections, evolving requests, functional assistance, etc. This reinforces the trust And the productivity over the long term.

🚀 Changes & updates


Your digital project will inevitably evolve over time. It is therefore essential that the agency plans to:

· The possibility ofadd features specific;

· One Update schedule to anticipate technological developments, legal changes or strategic needs;

· A vision of digital growth in the medium and long term.

Chez Scalapp, theaccompanying never stops with delivery. We insure clear formations, a responsive support, and a continuous monitoring to support our customers in their digital transformation, regardless of their sector. Our approach aims to evolve each web platform or enforcement According to your business goals, with innovative tools, of secure solutions And a lasting customer relationship.

5. Can you detail your cost structure?

Before signing with a web development agency, it is crucial to understand How is the budget structured. One clear and transparent quotation Is the reflection of a reliable partner, concerned about the trust And of the effective management of the project.

💡 Precise breakdown of services


The quotation must include a clear ventilation of the various expenditure items:

· The UX/UI design, which includes the models, the tree structure, the user journey;

· The front-end development and Backend, with the technologies used to create a fast, fluid and secure site;

· The costs associated withlodging, at thetechnical infrastructure (cloud, database, API, etc.), and to the integration of specific features.

🔁 Recurring costs to be anticipated


A good digital strategy takes into account ongoing expenses:

· Software licenses (CMS, plugins, automation or analysis tools);

· Annual maintenance, including updates, technical support, backups, and regular audits.

🛠️ Budget flexibility and optimization options


One competent agency will be able to offer alternatives according to your budget:

· Solutions Low-code or no-code, practical for quickly designing a first functional version at a lower cost;

· A development in MVP (Minimum Viable Product), which allows you to focus on essential functionalities first, with a gradual evolution According to your business goals And the business growth.

Chez Scalapp, we believe that the price transparency is a healthy work base. Each web project is the subject of a detailed estimate, with adapted technical solutions, options for scalability, and clear technological choices. Our objective: to offer bespoke solutions, efficient and profitable, whether you are a SMES, a startup Or a company in full digital transformation.

Conclusion

Ask these 5 essential questions before signing with a web development agency will allow you to make an informed choice, based on technical, human and strategic criteria. You will significantly reduce the risk of error by identifying experts capable of devising, expand and accompany one digital project really aligned with your business goals.

Whether it is a Showcase site, of a Mobile app, an internal tool or a more complex project, take the time to properly assess offers, methodologies And the completions guarantees you a smooth collaboration, a result that lives up to your needs And a sustainable digital growth.

🎯 You want audit your web project With passionate experts and get a clear technical perspective on your situation?
👉 Contact Scalapp, your web development agency of trust, for a free and non-binding diagnosis.

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