How to choose an app developer in Manchester

Freelancer, studio or agency?

• A freelancer is usually the cheapest. You deal with one person, which is simple, but the project depends on that one person being available, and few people are strong at both design and code.
• A small studio is a handful of people who cover design and build between them. You usually talk to the people doing the work.
• A large agency has bigger teams and more process, which suits big projects. You usually pay more, and deal with an account manager more than with the people building.

None of these is right for everyone. For a first app with a fixed budget, what matters most is how they answer the questions below.

Seven questions to ask

• 1. Can I try something you’ve built? Screenshots are easy to make. An app you can download, or a site you can visit, is proof that they finish things.
• 2. Who does the work, and who will I talk to? Ask whether the person on the call is the person building it, and whether any of the work is passed to someone else.
• 3. Is the price fixed? A day rate with no ceiling puts all the risk on you. Ask for a fixed price for an agreed scope, and ask what happens when you want to change something.
• 4. Who owns the code and the store listing? You should own both. If the app is published under the developer’s Apple or Google account, ask when and how it moves to yours.
• 5. How will I see progress? You want working versions you can try as the build goes on, not a big reveal at the end.
• 6. What happens after launch? Apps need fixes and updates. Ask what’s covered, for how long, and what it costs after that.
• 7. What do you need from me? A good developer will ask about your customers and your business before talking about features. Be wary of a quote that arrives without questions.

Warning signs

• A price without questions. Nobody can price an app properly without understanding what it has to do.
• Nothing you can try. If every example is a mock-up, ask why.
• Vague answers on ownership. “We’ll sort that out later” is not an answer.
• Jargon instead of explanations. If they can’t explain a decision in plain English before you sign, it won’t get easier afterwards.

Does your developer need to be in Manchester?

No. Most of the work happens online, so a developer anywhere in the UK can build your app. Being nearby helps if you want to meet in person, and some people simply prefer working with someone in the same city. We’re in Manchester and work with founders across the UK.

How we answer the seven questions

• Something to try. We’ve built 5 products and 3 are live today. See our work.
• Who does the work. The founders. Every project is founder-led from brief to launch, with no middlemen.
• Price. Fixed for the agreed scope, with anything extra priced up front as a change request. Our prices are public.
• Ownership. The code and designs are yours once the final payment is made, and wherever possible your app is published under your own Apple and Google accounts.
• Progress. You see working versions you can tap through as we go.
• After launch. The first 30 days of bug fixes are free. After that, an optional care plan starts from £60 a month for websites and £150 for apps.
• What we need from you. Your idea and what you know about your customers. No technical knowledge needed.