Top Important 8 Questions to Ask a UI/UX Design Agency in San Francisco Before Hiring It

UI/UX design is a time-and-money-consuming process, so you want to make the right choice and work with the person who understands the needs of your business. The only way to do that is to have an interview with the representatives of the agency. 

In this post, you will find the top 10 most important questions that will help you make the right choice. 

Important questions to ask your UI/UX Design Agency

Here are the questions that you should not hesitate to ask your designer or your UX/UI design company:

1. Could you walk me through the stages of your last project?

It is necessary to ask this question if you want to understand the overall process of a UI/UX design agency in San Francisco. With this question you will be able to see your partners in action, listening to the logic that lies behind their solution. Ask them about the challenges they faced and how they fixed them. 

Different agencies work through various methodologies, and this fact will be reflected in the answer to this question. Some stick to Agile, working in short iterations, and being very transparent and open to the client. The waterfall methodology means that the requirements are collected at the beginning of the process and then you are presented with the final result. Obviously, you should choose the one that best suits your needs.

2. Who are your UI/UX design heroes?

We all have different tastes, which is completely normal. However, if the opinions about what is cool and what is not between you and your vendor are drastically different, this can be a problem.

By asking professional UX/UI design agency in San Francisco about what solutions inspire them, you can check whether you see the world in the same way. Working with soulmates is much more convenient and productive.

3. What analytical and UI/UX tools do you use?

UI/UX design is all about user research and analytics. Software programs and web applications, such as Bugsee, Full Story, and Buddybuild, help collect and analyze user requirements. 

Moreover, UI/UX design companies use specialized online tools that allow them to collaborate on the project. Adobe Photoshop is too unwieldy for that, so Figma, Sketch, or Zeplin are more preferable. They also let you demonstrate the results of the work to the client and provide tools for leaving feedback.

4. How do you organize communication with the client?

Communication with the client is important to every UI/UX design agency. They should assign a designer, a salesperson, or a project manager who will be your point of contact. Before you start working, agree on how often you are going to be in touch. You should also discuss your input: is it necessary and would you like to participate in meetings, provide feedback, or do other things? Some clients want to be actively involved in the process, while others just want to receive the results.

5. Have you already worked with a similar product/the same niche?

If the agency has already worked in the same niche, they have already encountered typical challenges and know how to deal with them. Some niches can be very specific; for example, healthcare or gambling, and without experience, it will be very hard for an agency to do quality work. 

6. What is your payment model?

The project budget is important for every business owner. UI/UX design agencies can charge you hourly or set a fixed price before you start. The first model might seem costly, but it is more flexible as it allows you to introduce changes on the go without compromising on other components of the design. A fixed price means that you will not be able to change anything or you will be charged extra. In the long run, its results are not so economical. 

7. How long will it take to create an MVP?

To agree on deadlines is very important because the market changes so fast. 12 months later the product can result in being irrelevant and it is necessary to launch it as soon as possible. The deadlines might shift a bit if there are changes in the project, but they should generally be set up before you start.

8. What else can you help me with (marketing, coding, sales, etc.)? 

UI/UX design agencies might not specialize in only design. By their own means or attracting their partners, they can take charge of the backend, marketing, PR, and other things that are important for the product’s success.

Summing up

A face-to-face interview is a great way to understand whether a UI/UX Design Agency suits your needs. Ask them these questions and you will surely find a reliable partner.