7 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring an End-to-End Agency

To make your decision a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of key questions to help you address some common concerns and understand the agency’s approach. That way, you can confidently choose a partner that’ll deliver high-quality results and help you achieve your business goals. But, before we move on to the questions, let’s first clear up those common concerns.

The elephant in the room

It’s natural to have doubts before starting to work with someone new. The best way to avoid surprises? Talk through the usual pain points upfront:

• Cost and hidden fees: Of course that one of the main concerns is overrunning the budget, especially when an agency doesn’t offer a precise estimate upfront. This is why it’s important to clarify any potential costs or additional expenses in advance.  ‍
• Deadlines: Delivering a project on time is just as important. Make sure the agency you choose can stick to your project’s timeline and don’t forget to talk through backup plans in case things slip behind schedule.‍
• Your participation: There’s a popular belief that hiring an agency means they’ll handle everything on their own. The truth is, your involvement is key to making sure the project hits the mark and aligns with your goals.‍
• Scope changes: Scope changes may look easy on the surface, but it’s important to consider how even slight changes can affect the overall timeline and budget. So, make sure to talk this through with the agency from the get-go.

Addressing these concerns early can make all the difference when hiring an external agency. Keep reading to find out how you can take action. 

Getting into the questions

Choosing the right agency starts with asking the right questions. Why? Because being on the same page from day one can make all the difference. Let’s start. 

1. What sets you apart from other agencies?

This question may seem simple, but it’s crucial for differentiating between agencies that offer similar services. Every agency has something unique to offer, whether it’s their approach, expertise, or company culture. Asking what makes them stand out will give you insight into their values and work process.

At COBE, we emphasize flexibility, transparency, and a personalized approach based on our extensive experience to each project. This means that we don't follow a one-size-fits-all method; instead, we tailor our strategies to fit your specific needs. Understanding what makes an agency different will help you assess if they’re the right fit for your project and if their approach aligns with your expectations.

2. What’s your experience with projects similar to mine?

Always check if the agency has experience with projects that align with your business goals. This doesn’t necessarily mean they need to have worked in your exact industry, but they should have handled projects with similar scope, complexity, and objectives.

Say you’re building a mobile app for the manufacturing industry. The key question isn’t “Have they built an app for the manufacturing industry before?” but “Do they have experience building technically demanding mobile apps?” Even if it’s in a different industry, their past work will show if they can handle your project. Ask for case studies and examples that match your needs – it’s the best way to see if they get your vision and can deliver results.

3. How do you approach a project?

Each agency has its own unique process when it comes to handling projects. Understanding their approach will help you determine if their process aligns with your expectations. Some follow agile methodology, while other agencies may use waterfall or hybrid models.

At COBE, we typically follow agile to ensure flexibility and quick adaptation to changing requirements. More importantly, we prioritize clear communication and collaboration with clients at every stage of the process. So before you make your decision, ask the agency to explain their process in detail, including timelines, milestones, and how they handle revisions or feedback.

4. How do you ensure quality and consistency throughout the project?

Securing that the final product meets your quality standards is essential for the success of any project. Ask the agency about its quality assurance process and how it maintains consistency across design, development, and testing.

Quality assurance at COBE is strong throughout every phase of the project. Our team of designers, developers, and QA engineers works closely together to ensure the highest standards of design and functionality. We also provide detailed documentation and ongoing testing to ensure the product is functional, user-friendly, and scalable.

5. How do you handle changes in scope or unexpected challenges during production?

No project is free of challenges. Whether it’s a shift in requirements, scope changes, or unforeseen obstacles, it’s important to know how the agency will handle these situations. Some agencies may be flexible and adaptable, while others may insist on sticking rigidly to the original plan, potentially causing delays and frustration.

Make sure the agency has a clear approach for managing scope changes and understands how these changes will impact timelines and costs. In our experience, working in iterative phases and prioritizing continuous client feedback allows us to address challenges quickly and efficiently, making it a win-win situation for everyone.

6. Who owns the final product?

The ownership of the final product is something that’s often overlooked, but it’s super important when working with an agency. You need to be clear about who owns the design, code, and any other assets created during the project. Some agencies might hold onto ownership or place restrictions on how you can use the work once the project wraps up.

We believe in full transparency and make it a point to ensure our clients own everything we produce. This includes design, code, and documentation. It's vital to have this defined upfront, especially if you ever want to switch agencies or make changes to the product in the future.

7. How do you handle post-launch support and maintenance?

One of the most important questions to ask any agency is how it manages post-launch support and maintenance. Clients are usually (and understandably) focused on getting their product developed and launched, but the real test comes afterward. After the product goes live, you’ll need ongoing support for bug fixes, updates, and potential new features.

Some agencies will offer this as part of their service, while others may expect you to manage maintenance on your own or work with another agency. Be clear about the level of support you can expect after launch, including response times and costs. Establishing that the agency offers a long-term commitment to the product will help prevent costly and frustrating surprises down the line.

Pick me, choose me, love me?

When it comes to certain projects, having a single team handle everything can make the biggest difference. An end-to-end agency offers a full range of services, from the initial design and development stages to post-launch support and maintenance. This is ideal for businesses without in-house teams or those that prefer a single team to manage the entire project.

At COBE, we provide a fully integrated approach, making sure your product meets your exact needs while also maintaining flexibility throughout the process. We understand that every client is different, so we customize our approach to fit your goals and provide support every step of the way.

If you have any questions about the topic, feel free to reach out – I’ll be glad to answer them. 

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