Choosing the right web solutions development partner is essential. Websites are one of the first aspects of your business that potential clients or customers will notice. But doing it right requires more than web design and web development; the process requires strategy, research and analysis as well. It’s essential to hire a firm that has most, if not all, of these capabilities in house. And, unfortunately, it’s too easy for web development partners to end up delivering under par.
Here are 8 questions you should ask a potential web development partner:
1.) Can you show me your portfolio?
Psychology says, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."
Psychology says, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.” Similarly, when choosing a web development partner, the best predictor of how well their work fits in line with your business and vision may be how well their past work met those aims for other clients. Does their work encompass a brand’s aesthetics? Is the work creative and logical?
At Summa, we have taken on and delivered high-quality enterprise-caliber web development and/or mobile applications for Fortune 500 companies. These projects have involved web development, straight mobile web apps, HTML5 based hybrid apps, native iOS apps and beyond.
2.) Does the firm specialize in strategy as well as web development?
A development firm and a development partner are two different things. Web development is just a part of your business investment. A partner will understand this and include it as a part of the process—not the only part of the process.
When we create digital interactions for Summa clients, we first work to define their customers’ needs, organize key information, and develop user journey maps. The methods we use include interactive workshops, user research, competitive analysis and mapping of the information space. (We used these same methods for ourselves when we recently rolled out the new Summa website.)
3.) What kind of estimates do you conduct?
The Discovery Project will also delve into existing business value and the options technology will allow you to have.
An effective mobile product begins with an in-depth product discovery. At Summa, our developers encourage a Discovery Project that makes for a better estimate, a better understanding of what you are looking for, and a more thorough understanding of what you have. The Discovery Project will also delve into existing business value and the options technology will allow you to have. Analyzing your objectives, current software and options before launching into a mobile development is essential. Summa’s Discovery Project uncovers the complexity and depth of what you're looking for. Involving business strategists in the process will expedite the process and ensure its success, longevity and return on investment.
4.) Do you have any experience in my industry?
If your company operates in a specific industry or is of a large size, the learning curve required may be too steep (or costly) for many web development partners who are unfamiliar with organizations like yours. Choosing a web development partner with industry experience, who has worked with companies of your size and scale is vital to bringing best practices and knowledge to your website.
At Summa, we have worked with some of the largest corporations in Pittsburgh, including PNC, PPG, Highmark, and UPMC. Our clients come to us with complex issues. We know how to look at their businesses and get the job done so they can get their job done.
5.) What kind of testing and quality control checks do you perform prior to the launch of a new website?
Testing is a critical process that should be completed prior to launching your new website. Your website must undergo testing on Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer, as well as the latest versions of cross-platform testing on iOS and Android for tablets and smartphones. It’s also important that your partner follows a checklist of internal quality assurance measures to ensure that all bases are covered before launch.
Quality control checks appear in multiple steps in Summa’s process. First comes automated testing and code, enabling continuous integration. Next comes the completion of test scripts that validate a user story’s acceptance criteria. And, lastly, there must be sign-off or acceptance by the customer or product owner.
6.) How long will the project (realistically) take?
Agile is the “secret sauce” to boost the development quality of websites and web applications.
Once your business objectives are established, successful web solutions or applications development comes from having an agile partner. Agile partners are more likely to be flexible and adapt to the necessary architectural, design and management solutions throughout the course of the project.
At Summa, we keep in mind the fundamental goal of agile, which is maximizing innovation and productivity. Agile is the “secret sauce” to boost the development quality of websites and web applications, as well as the means to cut time to market. We collaborate closely with our clients and use an agile strategy-design-build process that puts them and their end-users first. Utilizing agile/scrum and keeping quantifiable business goals in mind improves overall product quality, delivery speed and predictability, as well as customer and employee satisfaction and engagement.
7.) What will be required of our company throughout the project?
You need to realize that communication will be required with your web solutions or web applications development partner throughout the process.
After the Discovery Project, it is essential for the Summa team to have regular team meetings with clients to leverage their knowledge and experience to meet the client’s vision and to reach the MVP within the allotted timeframe as best as possible.
8.) Can you provide client references?
Last but not least, it’s always a good idea to talk with a potential partner’s previous website redesign clients to get a better understanding of the people, process, product and what to expect.
For nearly 20 years, Summa been known as the go-to resource for the toughest assignments in technology. When that meant writing the most brutal Java code, that’s what Summa did. As technology has become more human, engaging and ubiquitous, Summa has been a leader. We continue to raise the bar on software craftsmanship, delivering quality, thoughtfully made systems that steadily add value to a client’s changing needs. Continuous resolution of potential issues, evolvable architecture, and a mindfulness of future transitions—it's all part of the Summa process.
In Summary
To engage today’s customers, applications must exploit the ever-growing ecosystem of web, mobile and sensor devices and data. Using agile approaches, the web solutions and web application development teams at Summa work closely with clients, designers and integration experts to create workable, innovative apps quickly. Clients get great customer experiences and business results.
To learn more about our web solutions and web applications development, contact us here.
