How to choose a software/web development agency

Choosing the right software development agency can make or break your project. Whether you’re building an MVP, scaling an existing product, or adding new features to your platform, your development partner plays a critical role in the outcome.

With thousands of agencies to choose from—across every timezone, budget, and tech stack—how do you find the right one for your specific needs?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you evaluate and choose the right software development agency.

1. Start With a Clear Scope

Before reaching out to agencies, define the problem you’re solving, your desired outcomes, and what success looks like.

• Are you building a new product from scratch or adding features to an existing platform?

• Do you have wireframes or requirements ready, or do you need help with ideation and UX?

• Are you looking for a long-term partner or a short-term engagement?

This clarity helps you find agencies with the right skills—and helps them give you accurate proposals.

2. Look for Relevant Experience

A good agency should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience with similar industries or business models

• Familiarity with your target platform or technology stack

• Case studies or success stories relevant to your goals

It’s less about finding an agency that has done exactly what you’re doing, and more about finding one that shows adaptability and problem-solving ability in similar contexts.

3. Evaluate Technical Expertise (But Don’t Get Lost in Jargon)

It’s important that the agency has solid technical chops. Ask about:

• Their preferred languages, frameworks, and development tools

• Their process for version control, code review, testing, and deployment

• How they handle technical debt, architecture decisions, and scalability

If you’re not technical yourself, look for a partner who can explain their choices clearly, without buzzwords or condescension.

4. Understand Their Process

Every good agency has a process—and that includes how they work with you, not just what they build. Ask about:

• Project planning – Are they using agile, waterfall, or something hybrid?

• Communication rhythms – Will you meet weekly? Use Slack? Get async updates? What timezone are they in, and how do they handle overlap?

• Who you’ll be speaking with – Is it just a sales rep, or will you regularly speak with project managers and engineers?

If you’re working with a nearshore or offshore team, it’s especially important to gauge real-world communication skills early—not just with their English-speaking representatives, but with the actual engineers and PMs you’ll work with. Ask to meet or message with the team before signing off.

5. Check Reviews, References, and Reputation

Browse independent platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, or Google Reviews. Look for:

• Consistency in feedback over time

• Testimonials from companies similar to yours

• Willingness to provide references or past clients to speak with

Red flags: vague reviews, lack of detail, or no online presence at all.

6. Don’t Choose Based on Price Alone

It’s tempting to choose the cheapest quote, especially if you’re bootstrapping. But software development is rarely a commodity—you get what you pay for.

Instead, look at value for money:

• Is the estimate realistic?

• Are they planning to cut corners?

• Are they including QA, project management, or post-launch support?

Cheap can become expensive if it leads to poor quality, delays, or rework.

7. Ask About Ongoing Support and Handover

Post-launch support often gets overlooked. Ask:

• Will they fix bugs or offer maintenance after launch?

• How do they ensure a clean handover if you switch providers or bring development in-house later?

• Will you own the code and IP?

Make sure everything—from source code access to documentation—is part of the agreement.

8. Start Small If You’re Unsure

If you’re not ready to commit to a full project, consider starting with a small paid engagement:

• A code audit

• A discovery sprint

• A small standalone feature

This gives you a low-risk way to evaluate how they work before you go all-in.