A Ruby on Rails development company can help create the custom application you need to run your business, whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to expand. To find the right one, though, you’ll need to be with specific questions about their process and how long it will take them to get your app up and running. Here are ten questions to ask before hiring a Ruby on Rails development company.
1) What technology stack will we use?
No one stack is the best for all use cases. In general, there are two different types of web frameworks: those that offer low-level abstractions like REST and pagination and those that offer higher-level abstractions like controllers, views, and JSON. Companies usually pick their technology stack based on what they think will work best for them given their use case and end goals. However, if you’re not sure which one you should go with, it’s wise to at least have an idea of the benefits of each framework so you can make an informed decision.
2) What’s your deployment process?
One of the most important aspects of getting your project up and running is understanding the company’s deployment process. Ruby on Rails can be in two different ways: one that is by a team at a remote location, and another that requires you to install it yourself. If the company uses their own services, they might need full access to your server or cloud infrastructure. If they use shared hosting with more than one application in use, you’ll want them to have an off-hours work window for installation and maintenance.
Some companies even have phone consultations during off hours. It’s best if you know all these factors before hiring someone so there are no surprises down the line.
3) Are you going to have developers dedicated for this project?
A dedicated team of developers is essential in this industry. So when you are hiring, make sure you ask your developer team these 10 questions:
1) What languages will the developers be working in?
2) Are they proficient in their current language?
3) Do they have experience with your company’s project requirement?
4) How much time will it take for the first build of your site to be?
5) How many developers are currently to my project?
6) What type of hours will I receive support from my development team during off-peak hours and weekends?
7) Is there a project coordinator for my project or does everyone report back directly to me with updates and changes?
4) Can you give us some references?
An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is an agreement between two parties that something in confidence won’t be. NDAs are often in legal matters as well as business settings. Sometimes businesses have them with their customers or clients who want to share sensitive information with the company and don’t want it being. Other times, contractors ask for NDAs before they work with you because they don’t want the idea they’re pitching to be stolen by someone else while they’re working out all the details.
5) Do you have any past clients in our industry?
A consultation allows the developer to get an understanding of what you’re looking for and it also allows you to determine if this is the best fit for your needs. Meeting in person also ensures that no information is lost in translation and both parties will understand exactly what is expected from each other. To get, here are 10 questions that can help narrow down your search:
1) How many years of experience do you have with Ruby on Rails?
2) What technologies have you developed apps with?
3) Can I see any of your projects before we meet?
4) What are your rates, including installation and development fees?
5) Do you work at all hours? 6) What’s the estimated turnaround time for project completion?
6) Are you able to sign NDAs?
Make sure that your company can sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with developers and agencies. NDAs are important because they protect intellectual property, trade secrets, client information, and other confidential data from the open market. These agreements ensure that your company will have the upper hand in any dispute. Make sure you’re hiring someone who has experience negotiating these kinds of contracts before you hire them!
7) Will my budget remains intact even if I change my mind?
Planning for contingencies and unforeseen events is important when it comes to hiring any company or professional. Be sure that you are comfortable with the percentage markup (cost) you will incur if you terminate your contract early or if they can’t complete your project. And make sure you’ve budgeted in enough money for changes – whether those are made by them or by you. If necessary, set up change orders where they need approval from you before making any modifications outside of the original contract.
Read More: Web Development For Project Enhancement
8) Will there be detailed documentation of all your code changes?
The benefits of using GitLab mean you will always have documentation of all your code changes, created by your development team and in real-time. This provides transparency with what was and when it was. However, because it is and everyone has a copy of it, there is no way for one person or group to own that history. The backup plan for all developers is with commit messages. With commit messages, you can track where changes were made and what needs fixing later on down the line.
Some systems don’t offer the ability to commit and track fixes across branches—for instance, Facebook’s code system doesn’t offer this feature at all—but it’s imperative that features like this are present in any version control system.
9) Who will own the intellectual property rights at the end of the project?
Before signing any contracts, it’s always important to do your due diligence and vet potential vendors by meeting with them. This will allow you to get more personal with the team, and assess their workflow. Whether they’re someone you’ll be able to work well with long-term. We recommend that you have as many in-person meetings as possible before signing any contracts because this will provide the opportunity for everyone involved–including yourself–to feel comfortable and see if they are going to click. This can give you a much better indication of what is most likely going to happen before making a commitment. Hire a ruby on Rails development company.
10) Would it be possible to set up a meeting with your developers before signing a contract?
The answer is almost always yes, but you’ll have to ask. If they can’t meet with you in person before you sign. In the contract, ask for Skype or phone meetings where possible. Having that face-to-face or video meeting will make it much easier for everyone to put their best foot forward.
Ask your developer how many rails apps they’ve built in the past and what were the dimensions of those projects.
What kind of project management system do they use? How long would the whole process take from start to finish?
What’s your team size and will my project be an individual team member or project manager?
