What questions should you prioritize when choosing an agency for the development of your application?

The priority issue is proof of execution: requesting concrete cases and technical demonstrations helps validate the agency's ability to deliver. This includes the accumulation of dumos, dupufts and usage metrics.

How to compare quotes to choose an agency for the development of your application?

Comparing quotes relies on analyzing detailed deliverables, included assumptions, and maintenance commitments. A clear quote should list the steps, milestones, and associated costs.

Should you choose a large agency or a specialized agency for application development?

The choice depends on the specific priorities: a large agency has organizational strength, while a specialized agency often offers more agility and product expertise. Analyzing the needs of each organization guides this decision.

How can you ensure the security of your application when choosing an agency?

Ensuring security involves requiring audits, recent pentests, and a cloud and battery management policy. GDPR compliance and cryptographic best practices must be documented.

How to choose an agency for the development of your application?

Our practical article details the technical, methodological and commercial criteria for choosing an agency for the development of your application, with concrete examples, checklists and operational recommendations adapted to the challenges of 2025.

Why technical expertise is essential when choosing an agency

Mastery of technologies and frameworks directly influences the performance, maintainability, and cost of an application. An inappropriate technical choice can generate significant delays and additional costs.

In the scenario of the fictitious start-up NovaTech, the first phase of the project consisted of validating whether the candidate agency mastered native iOS/Android development as well as cross-platform solutions such as Flutter and React NativeThis dual level of skills makes it possible to assess the agency's ability to recommend the best architecture for given business constraints.

Assess native (Swift, Kotlin) and cross-platform (Flutter, React Native) skills.
Verify backend and API experience (Node.js, Java, .NET, GraphQL).
Monitor the ability to implement CI/CD and deployment pipelines.
Analyze the test policy (automation, unit tests and E2E).
Confirm knowledge of stores guidelines and publication constraints.

Large agencies like Publicis Sapient, Capgemini, and Zenika frequently publish technical case studies that allow us to appreciate the extent of their expertise. At the same time, specialized organizations like Octo Technology or Fabernovel are often recognized for their technical innovation capacity on complex native projects. For NovaTech, the determining criterion was an agency's ability to demonstrate a history of successful technology migrations and the implementation of solutions adapted to mobile performance.

Technical elements to be audited lors of the selection

The technical audit must include the analysis of architectural choices, patterns used (MVVM, VIPER, Clean Architecture) and the scalability strategy.

The following table summarizes the essential audit points to request from the first technical exchanges.

Technical criteria	Questions to ask
Framework mobile	Why this framework, benefits for the project, roadmap of support?
Architecture	Resilience, testability and separation of responsibilities.
Performance	Targeted metrics, monitoring tools and native optimization.
Security	Encryption, key management, GDPR compliance.
CI/CD	Build processes, releases, rollbacks and test automation.

A concrete example: NovaTech asked agencies to present a demonstrable CI/CD pipeline via a prototype repository. The agency that proposed automated builds, a feature flag strategy, and E2E testing immediately reduced the risk of regressions during the integration phase. An agency's performance skills are crucial to ensuring good TTFB and controlled memory consumption, which are decisive elements for user adoption.

Other signs of technical maturity include participation in open source projects, technical publications, certifications, and presence in innovation ecosystems. Agencies like AKQA and Octo Technology often display these indicators. Assessment shouldn't be limited to sales pitches: requesting evidence (public repositories, demonstrations in controlled environments, access to test specifications) is essential to validate the reality of skills.

Insight: Choosing an agency that combines native expertise and cross-platform skills, with concrete technical evidence, minimizes technical risks and optimizes total cost of ownership.

How to Evaluate an Agency's Portfolio and Client References

The portfolio analysis provides information on sectoral diversity, UX/UI quality, and the ability to execute on cases close to real needs. The detailed case studies reveal the approach and business impact of the achievements.

For NovaTech, comparing the portfolios identified two agency profiles: those focused on project volume and those focused on long-term, complex partnerships. Agencies like Sqli and Smile often present very focused approaches to digital transformation and system integration, while Fabernovel stands out for its strong design and product sensibility.

Check the diversity of sectors in the portfolio and the relevance of the sector.
Request quantified case studies (KPIs, retention rates, ROI).
Contact at least two references for each short agency listed.
Review public reviews and opinions on specialized portails.
Control design quality and ergonomics in production applications.

The table below provides an analysis grid for the portfolios to facilitate comparison.

Item assessed	Indicator	Expected threshold
Case studies	Presence of measurable KPIs	Yes, at least 2 detailed studies
Design	UX/UI Quality in stores	Consistent design adapted to guidelines
Customer references	Availability and responsiveness of contacts	At least 2 contactable references
Sectors	Diversity sectorielle	3+ sectors represented
Maintenance	Post-launch offer	Clear contract and defined SLAs

Questions to ask client references

Direct customer feedback provides information on timeliness, communication quality, and technical robustness. It is recommended to prepare a structured questionnaire to ensure comparability of responses.

Examples of questions include: how the agency handled technical contingencies, the clarity of deliverables, the responsiveness of the support team, and adherence to the initial budget. These answers help anticipate potential friction points and assess the agency's commercial posture.

Ask for details on possible delays and how to manage them.
Check the stability of the project team over time.
Evaluate the quality of skills transfer at the end of the project.
Control the transparency of additional costs invoiced after delivery.

The approach must be based on numerical evidence: crash rates, loading times, 30-day retention, conversions. Platforms such as App Store and Google Play provide useful public metrics to verify agencies' marketing claims. In addition, it is relevant to consult external studies and comparisons (for example, top companies and 2025 benchmarks) to place the portfolio in a competitive context.

Insight: An agency with available and detailed references is statistically more reliable; prioritize cases where the business impact is demonstrated by measurable KPIs.

Development methodology and project management: what to validate

The working method determines the quality of delivery and the ability to adapt to change. Agile approaches (Scrum, Kanban) combined with DevOps practices and test automation ensure a regular and controlled delivery rate.

NovaTech favored an agency that offered short sprints, frequent demos, and continuous integration. The existence of a prioritized backlog, task tracking tools, and a performance dashboard became a deciding factor for candidates.

Validate the use of an agile method and the frequency of iterations.
Verify the implementation of CI/CD pipelines and automated tests.
Control documentation and backlog management.
Observe the transparency of reporting and project indicators.

The table below compares the methodologies and their operational impacts to better guide the choice.

Methodology	Benefits	Risks
Scrum	Steady rhythm, fast feedback	Risk of drift without a dedicated Product Owner
Kanban	Continuous flow, flexible priorization	May lose visibility for major milestones
DevOps + CI/CD	Rapid deployment, easy rollback	Initial cost of automation
V-cycle	Suitable for regulated environments	Less suited to rapid developments

Software quality and test automation

Reducing defect rates requires automating unit, integration, and end-to-end tests. Agencies that integrate automation from the development phase significantly reduce post-delivery testing costs.

It's recommended to consult resources on test automation and the use of AI to optimize these processes. For example, practical articles explain how AI accelerates test script generation and report analysis, reducing validation time before release.

Request an automated testing policy and evidence of coverage.
Check the use of monitoring tools to detect anomalies in production.
Control rollback and rolling update strategy via feature flags.

In practice, NovaTech imposed a minimum coverage rate and SLAs on the average time to resolve incidents in the contract. This requirement made it possible to exclude several agencies that were not very mature in automation. The gains achieved were measured in reduced regressions and accelerated time-to-market.

Insight: the methodology must be verifiable by evidence (pipelines, test reports, bord tables) rather than by promises; automation is a key lever for controlling quality and cost.

Additional services, security and maintenance: choosing a global partner

A full-service agency offers not only development but also product design, digital marketing, analytics, and maintenance. This holistic vision helps align theuser experience on business objectives.

Companies like Sqli, Sopra Steria, and Wemanity offer integrated solutions with support for digital strategy and technical architecture. DualMedia is positioned as an expert capable of ensuring all of these aspects to ensure continuity between design, development, and acquisition.

Check for UX/UI, analytics and acquisition expertise.
Control application security offerings and GDPR compliance.
Request an evolving and corrective maintenance plan.
Assess mobile marketing and ASO (App Store Optimization) skills.

The following table lists the additional services to be systematically requested within the scope of the project.

Service	Objective	Indicator
UX/UI design	Maximize user adoption	Usage rate and NPS
Analytics	Measure usage and optimize	KPI (DAU, MAU, retention)
Security	Protect sensitive data	Vulnerability audit, conformity
Maintenance	Ensure availability and evolution	SLAs, correction time

Concrete examples of service-techno integration

For a teleconsultation healthcare application, it is imperative to ensure GDPR compliance, encryption of exchanges, and traceability of access. Concrete projects demonstrate the importance of involving a security team from the initial architecture stage.

DualMedia has supported projects where the integration of analytics tools and AI-powered chatbots has improved user engagement and customer support. Detailed resources show how chatbots and virtual assistants, when integrated correctly, increase the effectiveness of support while respecting user data privacy.

Require evidence of recent security audits and pentests.
Check cloud partners and backup strategy.
Request a functional and technical development plan over 12-24 months.

Insight: Choosing an agency capable of handling the product, technical, and marketing aspects maximizes project consistency and reduces the number of contacts throughout the application's lifecycle.

Commercial criteria, budget and customer relations: avoiding contractual pitfalls

Pricing transparency and contractual clarity are fundamental guarantees. A detailed quote must specify deliverables, milestones, payment terms, and conditions for changing the scope.

In competitive bidding, it is common to see incomplete or deliberately opaque quotes. NovaTech preferred to work with agencies offering mixed pricing models (forfait + management) and performance indicators that partially link compensation to results.

Request a detailed quote and a provisional schedule.
Specify the conditions of ownership of the code and deliverables.
Check confidentiality commitments and professional insurance.
Provide for reversibility clauses and transfer of skills.

The table below summarizes the contractual clauses to check before signing.

Clause	Why it matters	To ask
Deliverables	Defines what must be provided	Specifications, source code, deployment scripts
Intellectual property	Ensures product operation	Transfer of rights or explicit license
SLAs	Guarantees support and maintenance	Response time, MTTR
Reversibility	Allows you to migrate to another provider	Transfer plan, complete documentation

Choosing the right business relationship

The human dimension is crucial: a partnership based on trust and transparency facilitates the sharing of product vision and innovation. Agencies that treat their clients as partners rather than suppliers achieve better long-term results.

It is relevant to evaluate the human chemistry of co-design workshops. NovaTech organized product workshops with the finalist agencies to observe the collaborative dynamics and measure their ability to listen and make suggestions. These sessions helped distinguish agencies that were too focused on “service” from those that were truly seeking to co-construct value.

Organize a co-design workshop before signing.
Assess commercial transparency (detail of costs and assumptions).
Favor a quarterly review clause on the roadmap and budget.

Insight: A clear contract, defined SLAs and a structured partnership relationship reduce the risk of litigation and promote the operational success of the project.

Would you like to get a detailed quote for a mobile application or website?

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Why is choosing an agency for the development of your application important?

Choosing an agency to develop your application guarantees structured support and tailored technical expertise. An experienced agency helps avoid architectural errors, optimizes the total cost of ownership, and ensures compliance (GDPR, security) with the deployment.

How to choose an agency for the development of your application according to technical criteria?

Evaluating an agency for its application development begins by verifying its mastery of technologies (native, cross-platform) and the presence of technical evidence. Requesting demos, CI/CD pipelines, and concrete cases helps validate the agency's ability to deliver.

What are the advantages of choosing an agency for the development of your application with additional services?

The benefits of choosing an agency for your app development with complementary services include better product consistency, faster deployment, and an integrated acquisition strategy. This limits the gaps between design, development, and marketing.

Is choosing an agency for app development suitable for startups?

Choosing an agency for your app development is particularly suitable for startups looking to accelerate their time-to-market while benefiting from mature expertise. An apporte agency offers proven practices and a network of useful partners.

Why does methodology matter when choosing an agency for the development of your application?

Methodology is crucial when choosing an agency for your application development because it determines adaptability to change and quality. Short sprints, continuous integration, and automated testing reduce risks and improve project flow.

How to use customer references to choose an agency for your application development?

Using client references to choose an agency for your app development involves contacting previous clients and verifying the presented KPIs. Direct feedback provides information on deadline compliance, the quality of the support, and the handling of unforeseen events.

What are the technical advantages of choosing an agency for the development of your application that masters Flutter or React Native?

The technical benefits of choosing an agency for your app development that masters Flutter or React Native include faster cross-platform development and lower maintenance costs. These frameworks allow you to reach a broad user base with a common codebase.

Is choosing an agency for the development of your application suitable for regulated projects?

Choosing an agency for your application development is suitable for regulated projects if the agency has expertise in conformity (GDPR, certified hosting) and security. It is essential to check audits and certifications.

Why should maintenance be taken into account when choosing an agency for the development of your application?

Maintenance must be taken into account when choosing an agency for the development of your application because system updates, bug fixes, and functional evolution require long-term support. A clear maintenance contract avoids service interruptions.

How can AI help you choose an agency for your application development?

AI can help choose an agency for your app development by automating the analysis of portfolios, evaluating application performance, and predicting costs and risks. It also helps optimize post-launch testing and monitoring.

Useful resources and recommended links: