Before you pay a developer: 7 questions to ask first

Most problems between a business owner and a developer don't start in the code. They start before the first line is written: something wasn't said clearly, and each side understood it their own way.

Here are seven questions to ask any developer or agency before you pay, even if the person in front of you isn't me.

1. What exactly will I receive?

Don't settle for "a complete website" or "a professional app". Ask for a written list of pages and features and, most importantly, what the price doesn't include. A second language, an admin panel, payment integration, writing the content: clients often assume these are covered, and they can turn into extra costs later.

2. What's the full price, and what could raise it?

Ask for the final price and how changes outside the agreement are charged. Ask about recurring costs after launch too: the domain, hosting, subscriptions and app store fees. A project that's cheap today can be expensive over a year.

3. How does payment work?

Paying in stages tied to clear deliverables protects you and the developer: a payment at the start, one when the design is approved, and the rest on delivery. If you're asked for the full amount upfront, ask why.

4. Who owns the code and the accounts?

People often think of this one too late. Make sure the domain, hosting, and App Store and Google Play accounts are in your name, and that you receive all the code and documentation on delivery. If you ever stop working with this developer, you should be able to carry on with someone else without starting over.

5. Where's your previous work, and who will build mine?

Ask for links to live projects and try them yourself on your phone. Ask who will actually do the work and who you'll be talking to, and whether you'll follow progress on a preview link or only see the result at the end.

6. What happens after launch?

Every project needs changes once real people start using it. Ask: how long is support included? How do I report a problem, and how quickly will you respond? What does maintenance cost after that?

7. Where will my customers' data be kept?

If your project collects names, phone numbers or orders, Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law most likely applies to you. Ask: where is it hosted? Are there backups? Who can access the data?

The short version

A good developer welcomes these questions and often answers them before you ask. If the answers are vague, that's an answer in itself.

Have a project and want an honest opinion on it? Get in touch and I'll answer all seven.