Published
Start with the problem, not the technology
A good partner asks what you are trying to change in your business before talking about frameworks. If the first conversation is only about tools and rates, that is a warning sign. Write down the outcome you want, who will use the product and which systems it must connect to. A short brief is enough.
Check who actually builds your product
Ask who will work on the project, where they are based and how long they have worked together. Some agencies resell work to freelancers you never meet. A team that builds in-house can answer technical questions on the same call and keeps knowledge inside the project.
Look at process and communication
Ask how often you will see working software. Regular demos, a shared task board and a single point of contact matter more than a polished pitch. Confirm the working languages and the hours you can reach the team. In Tunisia, French and English are standard, and the time zone overlaps with most of Europe.
Ask about security and ownership
Your contract should say that you own the code and the data. Ask how access to your systems is controlled, how secrets are stored and how backups work. For European customers, ask how personal data is handled and where it is hosted.
Understand the quote
A serious quote lists scope, assumptions, timeline and what is not included. Fixed price suits a defined product. A dedicated team suits software that keeps evolving. Be careful with quotes that arrive before anyone has asked you a question.
Plan for after launch
Software needs hosting, monitoring, updates and fixes. Ask what support looks like after go-live and who is on call when something breaks. A partner who plans for this up front is thinking about your product, not only the delivery date.