So you have got your app idea brewing in your mind. The big idea of an app that will change everything. You see it in your mind so clearly. The only issue? You can’t build it on your own. No problem, that happens with most of the founders. You need to outsource an expert and take advantage of external skills without the overhead.
This is where you see two paths ahead. One leads you to a beautiful, working app that you’re proud of and can take full credit for, and the other leads you to piles of bugs, missed release dates, and a less stuffed wallet.
The difference comes down to avoiding a few simple traps. Believe us when we say that we have watched some amazing ideas come unraveled due to outsourcing mistakes. It doesn’t matter if you are looking to hire a local mobile app development company Toronto or if you happen to come across a reputable firm halfway around the world.
The principles are the same. Your dreams deserve a team that understands your idea from the inside out, and not just any web application development company that can write code.
Let’s walk through the seven biggest mistakes that people encounter and avoid together.
Mistake 1. Choosing a Partner Based on Price Alone
We all love a good deal. It’s tempting to see a low quote and immediately think you’ve won the lottery. But when it comes to app development, the cheapest option is rarely the best one. A rock bottom price often means you’re getting one of three things:
Hidden costs.
Inexperienced developers.
Poor communication.
How would you think of it? You probably wouldn’t hire the cheapest surgeon. You hire the one with the best success record. A good development team costs more than more affordable options, as they invest in senior talent, processes, and program management.
That lowball offer likely doesn’t include testing, program management fees, future support, or other considerations. In the end, that “huge deal” becomes a drain. You end up spending more in the long term to correct errors than if you had just hired a team that was a little more expensive, but infinitely more qualified from the beginning.
Mistake 2. Providing a Vague or Incomplete Project Brief
This is a huge one. Walking up to a development team and saying, “I want an app like Instagram but for dog walkers” is not a plan. It’s a wish. Without a detailed plan, you’re going to leave everything in the developer’s imagination. And, it could be a potential imagination that’s very different from your imagination.
Your project brief, or specification document, is your blueprint. It should detail every single feature, format, and user’s journey.
● How does a user sign up?
● What happens when they forget their password?
● How do they pay for a service?
The more detail you provide upfront, the more accurate your quote will be and the smoother the project will go. A professional web application development company will actually help you with this. They’ll ask tough questions to help you think through every corner of your app. If a company gives you a fixed price on a vague idea, run the other way.
Mistake 3. Ignoring the Importance of Communication
You’ve hired a team. Great. Now, how will you talk to them? Relying only on email is a recipe for disaster. Misunderstandings happen. Tone gets lost. Important details get buried. You need a clear communication plan from day one.
● Will you have daily stand-up meetings?
● Weekly progress calls?
● What tools will you use, like Slack, Jira, or Trello?
● Who is your single point of contact?
If your team is in a different time zone, you need to establish overlapping work hours for real-time collaboration. This isn’t just about getting updates. It’s about building a relationship. You need to feel like you’re one team working towards the same goal.
The best mobile app development company in Toronto will insist on a structured communication plan before they even start.
Mistake 4. Skipping the Deep Dive on Their Portfolio
Looking at a company’s portfolio seems obvious, but most people don’t go deep enough. They see a few pretty app screenshots and think “looks good”. You have to do more. Don’t just look at the pictures, download the apps they’ve built. Use them.
● Do they feel intuitive?
● Are they fast?
● Are they full of bugs?
Even better, ask for case studies. Ask them to walk you through a project that was similar to yours.
● What were the challenges?
● How did they solve them?
● What were the results?
And most importantly, ask for references. Talk to their previous clients. Ask them what it was really like to work with the team. This is your due diligence, and it’s non-negotiable.
Mistake 5. Not Having a Clear Contract and IP Ownership
This is the boring but incredibly important part. Your contract is your safety net. It needs to clearly outline everything. Project timelines, payment schedules, a breakdown of deliverables, and what happens if things go wrong. But the most critical piece of that contract is the part about Intellectual Property or IP.
Who owns the source code once the project is done? The answer should always be you. One hundred percent. Some shady companies might try to retain ownership or use proprietary code that locks you in with them forever. Your contract must state explicitly that all work product and source code is your exclusive property upon final payment.
A reputable web application development company will make this standard practice, but you must always verify it in writing.
Mistake 6. Forgetting About Post-Launch Support and Maintenance
Developing the app is really only half the battle. Launching the app is not the finish line, it is the starting line.
So you launch it, and what happens when a new version of iOS or Android comes out and your app crashes?
What happens if users run into an issue that you didn’t catch during testing?
Who’s going to resolve it?
Your app requires monthly ongoing maintenance and updates, and support. This needs to be addressed and agreed to before signing the contract. Many great development partners and software engineers in Toronto offer and recommend ongoing support retainers. It is an additional expense, but it is necessary for the long-term health of your application! During the reference calls with your prospective mobile app development company in Toronto, inquire specifically about their post-launch support package. It also demonstrates that you are thinking like a serious business owner.
Mistake 7. Micromanaging the Development Team
You’ve engaged professionals, so let them be professionals. There is a huge difference between being involved and being a micromanager — being involved means you’re attending the important meetings, giving them feedback about their demos, and are available to respond to questions. Micromanaging means you’re questioning every technical decision that they make, expecting a code review every day when you don’t know how to code, and continuously changing your mind about minor details.
This will kill the morale of the team and slow the project to a crawl. You need to trust the process and the professionals you hired. If you selected the right partner from the beginning (after doing your research), it should make you feel good to give them the space to do their best work. It is your job to provide the vision and feedback; it is their job to build it.
Bringing It All Together
Outsourcing your app development could be the best decision you make. It can provide you with the speed, skill, and polish necessary to turn your idea into a successful app. But remember, it is a partnership, not just a transaction.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you are not simply buying code; you are building a working relationship that will set your application up for success from the very beginning. So take your time, do your research, and trust your gut. Finding a proper partner, whether it is a specialized web application development company or just a local mobile app development company in Toronto, is the first and most important step to turning your vision into a reality you will be proud of. Now go build something great
