®Working with a team in another country can give you access to experienced people at a competitive cost. Most problems come from unclear expectations, not distance, so it pays to check a few things first.
Look at real work
Ask for live apps or websites you can actually try. Then ask what this team personally did on each project. Speak to a past client if you can.
Test communication early
Pay attention during the sales conversation. Do they ask questions about your users and goals, or do they simply agree to everything? A team that challenges your ideas now is more likely to warn you of problems later.
Also agree on:
- Who your day-to-day contact is
- Which hours overlap with your own
- How often you will see working software
Check ownership and security
Your contract should clearly state that you own the source code and design files. Keep your app store, cloud and domain accounts under your own company's name, and give the team access to them. Ask how they handle your data and passwords.
Start small
Begin with a paid discovery phase or one small feature before committing to a large project. It is the cheapest way to learn how a team really works.
Agree on what happens after launch
Ask about bug-fix periods, maintenance costs and handover documents. A good partner makes it possible for you to leave, because they expect to keep your business by doing good work.
Warning signs
- A fixed price without detailed questions
- Promises of guaranteed rankings or downloads
- No access to your code until final payment
Lycrosys is based in Rajkot, India, and works with clients worldwide. Talk to us and put these same questions to us.