Disadvantages of developing a Delivery App with a freelancer

What are the main risks associated with using a single freelancer for app development?

Typically, freelancers don’t offer delivery app development services at a professional level. They take a few projects at once and can bring you something like a small, basic app without complex features or integrations. Since building a delivery app covers web development, design, and testing services, this cannot be provided by a single person as a freelancer. That’s also a big backbone in collaboration with them. 

Also, they don’t have the latest tools that are available for big teams in web development agencies. They just use what they know and try to build simple apps and web platforms. And what’s more – there are no guarantees, SLAs, or real responsibility on their side. Because they’re not an official company that offers that.

How can communication issues impact project success?

Сommunication it’s what creates the further app development process. From your side – you explain your key requirements for the project and ideas that you want to realize with it. From the delivery app development company – they add extra ideas, explain workflow approach, and advise you on technologies to use, features that benefit your app more, and other vital things. 

With freelancers, such a communication level is hard to find. Because they don’t think as a big company that deeply dives into your business specifics and discusses in the team further works. They decide everything by themselves, focusing more on building an app that works from the tech side but is not business-oriented. As a result, your communication brings a misunderstanding in project requirements, delays in work sprints, low product quality, and extra risks for the business. 

Why is it more difficult to meet deadlines when working with freelancers?

Because freelancers can work on other projects in parallel. That’s why they cannot equally divide responsibilities to meet all the deadlines. There can also be unpredictable cases, like illness, technical difficulties, or withdrawal from the project, at all. There is no other person who can take the project immediately and help you go to market on time. That’s where it gets tricky. Instead, in app development agencies, you get a team, where one person can be replaced with another in case of unforeseen circumstances. They adapt to your needs and adjust team members according to the project’s requirements. And the last point is limited resources. One freelancer cannot physically perform several tasks at once, which also affects the deadlines.

How does limited experience affect the functionality of complex apps?

You just get an app with a basic features set, without complex integrations, and modern solutions. Yes, it works, but that’s all. For you, as a business, it’s highly important that your app not only performs key functions but meets target audience needs, your business goals, and today’s digital market requirements. To achieve this, the latest technologies must be used here. Like AI, ML, or third-party integrations (payments, online support, geolocation, analytics, etc). Using them requires a team with deep expertise in these technologies.

In technical terms, limited experience leads to imperfect architecture, which makes it difficult to scale the app and add new features. Bugs and errors occur more often, making the application unstable as well. Overall, this reduces the quality, stability, and functionality of a complex application.

What are the risks associated with data security and privacy?

If your data isn't protected as it should be, it can get stolen, damaged, or misused. Here are the key risks that can arise when working with freelancers:

• Data loss. Hackers can get access to sensitive user information and use it for themselves.
• Accidental disclosure. Errors in code or incorrect server settings can expose data as well.
• Non-compliance with laws. A violation of GDPR, CCPA, or another regulation can cost you money and ruin your reputation.
• Malware and viruses. Using unsafe tools or lacking proper ones can lead to data loss or corruption.
• Loss of user trust. Even a single privacy breach can damage a product's reputation.

How does a lack of team collaboration impact quality control?

If there is an absence of team collaboration, the product’s quality can drop significantly. A freelancer works alone and doesn’t have a tech partner who can check the product quality. That’s why they more often miss bugs and tech issues that arise later and require more time to fix. Absence of team rules and approaches can lead to incompatibility of code or design. Getting such an app will require hiring an extra team who solve this. 

Even if you have a small team that can technically support the freelancer, there may be misunderstandings in work processes and how everything must be built. They design their workflow as they wish, with little regard for your team’s rules or standard practices.

Why can scaling or adding new features be problematic?

There are issues that you may face:

• Limited architecture. In most cases, freelancers build apps with basic functions, so it's unable to handle the load when the user base grows.
• Lack of resources. One developer or a small team cannot physically implement new features quickly enough.
• Code dependencies. New features can break old functionality if the architecture is weak. This will require additional work or architecture rebuilding. 
• Lack of testing. Without comprehensive QA, new modules may contain bugs and affect the app's quality.
• Complexity of integrations. Connecting third-party services can create conflicts or instability inside the system.

How do agencies provide benefits that freelancers often cannot afford?

Agencies offer safer and more innovative food delivery app development solutions. Here is what you get with them:

• Team expertise. The agency offers a full team with deep expertise in UI/UX design, web and mobile development, QA testing, and business analysis. All the specialists needed to create a high-quality product.
• Stability and reliability. The project does not depend on one person; deadlines and responsibilities are regulated and adapted to your individual needs.
• Transparent processes and time-proving standards. Internal methodologies and approaches, code reviews, testing, and documentation guarantee quality.
• Rapid scaling. The agency can add resources for the rapid implementation of new features. Moreover, they can support your project after launch and work on its scaling.
• Legal and financial guarantees. Contracts, clear SLAs, and post-launch support protect you from legal issues. 
• Access to tools and technologies. More expensive equipment, licenses, analytics, and cloud services. All these are available for agencies nd what they put into your project as well. 

Conclusion

Delivery app development requires a team that will build, design, and check the app throughout the development process. One freelancer can’t handle these tasks if we're talking about building a high-quality and complex food delivery app. Choosing freelancers, you may get a product that works technically but will need additional improvements, checking, and what’s more – time and money. Going with a web development agency will give you a product that meets your initial expectations and will drive your business success. Choose wisely and make a difference in your niche.