5 expert recommendations for selecting contractors for an IT project

Every business has at least once faced the task that you need to develop a website, platform, CRM, service, application, etc.But how to choose an executor? Why even those who do ‘expensive and beautiful’, often do not give the result? And how not to fall into the trap of beautiful portfolios, behind which there is no real competence?

Below are 5 practical recommendations from professionals involved in the development and maintenance of hundreds of IT products, including complex platforms and services with custom architecture, business logic, integrations and high traffic.

1. Check whether they can think systematically, not just programme

A complex project is not only a beautiful interface, but above all a well-thought-out architecture that will determine the future of your product. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the following points:

• They ask "What happens if..." questions. - are interested in scenarios of load growth, changing requirements, adding new functions
• Can clearly outline the logic of work - explain how the modules will be connected, what data is taken from where, how the system reacts to different user actions
• Discuss business processes - find out, who and how will work with the system, what roles are needed, how typical operations should be carried out
• Define KPIs for work acceptance - immediately discuss readiness criteria, performance metrics, stability requirements

If a contractor asks about architecture, scalability, and fault tolerance, this is not a complication of the project, but a sign of professionalism. Such a contractor thinks about how your product will live and develop for years, not only about how to deliver the project tomorrow.

Such companies are worth working with - they see the project systematically and will help you create a solution that will not fall apart at the first growth of users.

What to ask the performer:

• How will the system behave when the load grows 10-100 times?
• Will it be possible to replace individual modules without stopping the entire system?
• How will the system handle non-standard situations?
• What criteria will we use to understand that the task has been completed with high quality?

If the contractor answers in detail, gives examples and asks counter-questions, that's a good sign. If he dismisses it or says ‘we'll figure it out as we go along’, you should be wary.

2. Request examples of projects of similar complexity

Pretty lendings and generic online shops are good, but they won't show if the team can handle your task. For a complex project, you need experience with similar challenges.

What to look out for in cases:

• Multilevel user roles - admins, moderators, ordinary users with different access rights
• Integrations with external systems - CRM, payment systems, API of third-party services, 1C
• Non-standard business logic - something that is not solved by ready-made CMS templates or constructors
• Highly loaded solutions - systems with a large number of simultaneous users

What to ask the performer:

• How many months did the development last?
• What were the main technical challenges?
• What were the main technical challenges?
• Were there any major changes during the development process and how were they handled?

If there are no projects of a similar level of complexity in your portfolio, it is better to look for another contractor. Your project should not be the first experiment for the team.

3. Pay attention to customer feedback

A detailed analysis of feedback helps to avoid mistakes in choosing a contractor. When clients specifically describe their experience of co-operation, the customer gets a real picture of how the team works, rather than marketing promises.

• Mention specific results, not just ‘liked everything’
• Cite professionalism in solving complex problems
• Talk about meeting deadlines even when requirements change
• Cite quality support after launch

If all reviews sound the same, contain only general phrases like ‘everything is excellent’ or ‘I recommend’, and clients are not ready for additional communication - this is a reason to be wary. Real satisfied customers are always ready to share details of successful co-operation.

4. Learn how testing and quality control are organised

Mistakes in the launch phase of a web platform are not just unfortunate misunderstandings. They are direct losses of data, revenue and customers that can destroy a reputation in a matter of hours. Professional teams understand this responsibility and build a multi-layered testing system long before release.

Proper testing is not an additional waste of time, but an investment in the stability of your product. When a contractor describes each stage of quality testing in detail, it simplifies the work for everyone: the customer understands what exactly is being tested and why, and developers work according to a clear plan without inflated expectations.

Detailed testing planning helps to avoid unpleasant surprises:

• The client knows in advance which scenarios will be tested and what results to expect
• The contractor works according to a structured plan, not "at random"
• All parties understand the criteria for quality and acceptance of the work

What to ask the performer:

• Is there a dedicated tester or QA specialist on the team?
• What specific scenarios are tested and at what stages?
• Where and how is system performance under load tested?
• How are tests automated and how often are they run?
• What is done to test security and data protection?

If the contractor answers: ‘we will check everything in the browser ourselves’ or ‘we will test it during development’ - this means that there is no systematic approach to quality. Such a team cannot guarantee neither validation of business logic, nor data security, nor stability under load.

A professional team can always talk in detail about their testing processes, show examples of test plans and explain why each stage is important for the final result.

5. Evaluate how the company deals with analytics and maintenance

Many contractors disappear as soon as the project is delivered. Professional teams understand: creating a system is half the job. The other half is to ensure its effective functioning and continuous development based on real data about user behaviour and performance.

Professional support is not just ‘fixing bugs’:

• Proactive monitoring - the system alerts you to issues before they affect users
• Regular security updates - timely installation of patches and updates
• Performance optimisation - continuous work on speed and stability
• Scaling for growth - preparing your infrastructure for increased load
• Development consultancy - recommendations for product improvements based on the data collected

What to ask the performer:

• What maintenance options are offered and what is included?
• How quickly do they respond to critical issues (response time to requests)?
• Do they provide advice on product development based on analytics?
• How are backups and data loss protection?
• Is it possible to set up A/B tests to test hypotheses?

If the contractor says: ‘we will connect analytics later’, ‘Google Analytics is all you need’, or ‘maintenance is just hosting’, this is a sign of a superficial approach. Such a team does not understand that an IT product requires constant analysis and development.

Real professionals initially plan the analytics system as an integral part of the product and can detail how long-term support will be organised. They understand that a successful IT product is not a one-time development, but a constantly evolving ecosystem.

Conclusion: Investing in the right choice pays off over the years

Selecting a team for an IT project isn't just about finding a contractor, it's about choosing the experience and expertise of a contractor that will determine the success of your digital product for years to come. Every hour spent on careful contractor selection saves months of rework, thousands of dollars in bug fixes, and the nerves of the entire team.

Remember the cardinal rule of IT projects: the cheapest solution always turns out to be the most expensive. A team that charges half as much but doesn't understand the architecture will end up creating a system that will have to be completely rewritten in a year. The contractor who ‘does it fast’ but doesn't plan for testing will give you sleepless nights after launch.

Investing in a professional team pays off many times over:

• Stable system operation without critical failures
• Ability to quickly scale the product to meet business growth
• Specific data for business decisions thanks to intelligent analytics
• Management peace of mind and focus on business development rather than "putting out fires"

Use these five criteria as a checklist when selecting a contractor. Ask uncomfortable questions, demand specific examples, don't settle for general phrases. Real professionals are always ready to explain their approach in detail and show the results of their work.

Your IT product is not an expense, but an investment in the future of your business. Choose a contractor who understands this responsibility and is ready to create a solution that will work for your success for years.