Working with software development firms carries some potential risks, such as going over budget or misreading the needs of the market. To minimize these risks, businesses should carefully evaluate the background and portfolio of an agency before making any commitments; this will help ensure that they have a solid understanding of their capabilities and can trust them to deliver quality work consistently over time. Companies should also ask about their software development approaches to confirm that they follow best practices and set realistic goals. Additionally, it’s important to discuss payment models ahead of time to avoid sticker shock or challenges with billing at a later date.