There are two keys to success when building any tech venture, whether product or service-based. First is an epic idea that can solve problems and change lives. Second factor is its right execution. No matter how groundbreaking the idea is, if your development team could not materialize it the way it was envisioned – you can’t really claim success. And websites are no exception.
No matter what your niche is – if you are selling environment-friendly furniture, or a weight-loss supplement made out of seaweed, or you have a marketing automation program, if you are not working with the best web development company in Dubai for your project, your chances for success against the competition are blurry.
But with countless web development companies in Dubai vying for your attention, navigating the hiring process can feel overwhelming. Here is a quick guide to simplify the process for you.
1. Do your homework
Before setting sails, you need to understand your website’s goals, your revenue goals and your long-term planning for this website development process.
Ask yourself these questions:
– What do I want to do with this website?
While a website is a marketing asset and its long-term goal is to generate revenue in one way or the other, you need to set steps. For example, you may want to build a website for appointment booking, or initially for only showing off your social proof and portfolio.
Think about lead generation, brand awareness, online conversion, value addition – then pick and plan your website.
– Who is my target audience?
This will ultimately guide your style, design and branding. Think if your visitors are doctors, teachers, students, plant enthusiasts, pet lovers, or patients.
– What is my budget?
This will help you decide if you should hire a freelancer for specific service, like front-end development, or website testing, or content writing. If you have a decent budget, then consider hiring a full-service web development company in Dubai and outsource your project for efficient completion.
2. Hire for technical expertise
Ensure the company possesses expertise in the technologies relevant to your project, be it CMS platforms, programming languages, or security protocols. Ask for project examples showcasing their skills and seek clear explanations if technical jargon gets thrown your way.
3. Study their portfolio and social proof
A company’s portfolio speaks volumes about their design styles, technical capacities and ability to handle diverse tasks. Similarly, the social proof, including testimonials, endorsements, ratings and reviews show a company’s professionalism, work ethics and work completion efficiency.
When researching a company’s portfolio make sure to go to their website’s previous projects or case studies section. If you find metrics – say numbers like app downloads, ratings on stores etc., go to the specific stores and verify them.
Look for projects similar to yours in terms of scope, industry, and design aesthetics. Ask them to walk you through specific projects, explaining their approach and challenges overcome. Don’t forget to delve into social proof – client testimonials, reviews, and industry awards can add weight to their claims and build trust.
Companies typically add these case studies in their pitch decks too. You can go to the mentioned websites, check the user experience and decide for yourself.
Secondly, there are a lot of ways to verify social proof. Go to the Clutch, Good Firms and Sortlist profiles of the companies and study the feedback given by their clients. On a safe side, you can also check their
4. Hiring arrangements
There are typically 3 options when you are hiring a web development team for your website.
The first option is to hire freelancers, in which case you manage the technicalities of the website’s structure. You hire a content writer and UI/UX designer, get the work done, then hire a developer, tester and so on. You can save some development costs with this method, but project management is challenging.
The second option is to work with an agency. These are small to medium-sized companies with complete web development teams. You can simply outsource your website development project, tell them your expectations and then communicate weekly about web development progress. The cost for website development is fixed and you pay in installments.
The third option is to hand-pick a team via a staff augmentation company. This arrangement is ideal for large-scale commercial websites. This way, you pay a subscription and enjoy complete flexibility and control on your website’s progress.
5. Talk about changes in scope
Understand how the company handles scope changes. Will they offer clear cost implications, transparent communication, and a flexible approach to adapt to unforeseen circumstances? Don’t let unexpected changes impact the quality.
While timeline changes are typically understandable with scope changes, they still need to be realistic. So you have to work with an agency that has a documented strategy about handling scope changes and addition of features.
6. Discuss timelines of website completion
A realistic timeline is the compass guiding you to your digital destination. Ask for a detailed timeline with clear milestones and deliverables. Choose a company that offers a timeline aligned with your expectations and communicates any potential delays proactively.
Remember, a smooth development process is often not the fastest. So, I recommend you prioritize quality and communication over rushed deadlines.
7. Ensure strong project communication
Discuss beforehand about the company’s preferred communication channels (email, video calls, project management tools) and their response timeframes.
Ensure they prioritize transparency, offer regular updates, and encourage open dialogue throughout the development process.
8. Consider your developer’s location
Location of your development team affects the project communication sometimes because of time zones, but it can have a bigger impact on your budget.
For example, hiring from the UK, USA or Germany means you are compensating for their local taxes and the inherent marginal rates of talent. On the other hand, hiring from the Middle East, for example, with a web development company in Dubai will be relatively lower in cost.
While local companies offer geographical proximity, remote teams can be cost-effective and broaden your talent pool. Assess your communication needs and choose a company that prioritizes clear, consistent, and timely updates, regardless of their physical location.
Wrapping up…
Hiring the best web development company in Dubai, one that is right for your website is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It’s a journey of project discovery, understanding your website’s needs, and finding the perfect match. Ask insightful questions, listen carefully to their responses, and trust your gut feeling. Remember, the ideal partner will be a strategic collaborator, not just a vendor. They should be passionate about your project, understand your vision, and be invested in your success.
