It can be challenging and intimidating. But following attributes can help you narrow down the search. See how big the software development agency is. See if your project gets the attention of the core team. Set up a call team to understand their past work in that domain. Avoid the ones with the cheapest quote, as it can lead to more tech complications. Try to understand how transparent and collaborative their development approach will be. See if the team can understand your language easily. Check if the team is solution-oriented rather than just focussed on technical skills.
Assuming you have got a business problem and market understanding, you'd need nothing to start with. We at RaftLabs, start with product brainstorming or roadmap sessions. This week-long exercise clears out everything about the project. We map business goals, user journey, problems, etc., everything into product features. We bring out everything on the table so that you've clarity on what next. Primarily project scope, feature prioritization, approach, timelines, etc.
Following things will help you understand the complete development approach. We start with product brainstorming or roadmap sessions to be on the same page about product vision. We then create low-fidelity wireframes so that you have a view of the product. We then move towards final designs and development. We share with you a high-level blueprint and divide all the development cycles into bi-weekly agile sprints. We meet weekly with you and share the progress. You all have access to our teams and projects via project management tools. Read more about how we work together here.
Share your technical requirements with us. We would find an engineer that matches your needs and share the profile with you. We'll facilitate a technical call so that you can evaluate the match. If need be, we offer a free try-out period to engage better and work with our engineers. Our goal is to ensure you get the maximum value.