Introduction
"I want to build an app, we’re going to be millionaires!" As a freelance web developer in Lyon specializing in bespoke application development, I hear this sentence all the time. But trying to build an application without a strategy is like constructing a house without blueprints: it might work, but change orders will cost you a fortune.
Before you reach out to a developer for your application, you need to structure your thinking and clarify your needs. This preparation saves valuable time and keeps you from heading in the wrong direction. According to PMI Institute, 70% of application projects fail because they weren’t properly prepared.
1. Lay Your Ideas Out: The Foundation of Every App Project
The very first step before you contact a developer is to dump every single idea onto paper. Write EVERYTHING that crosses your mind, even the ideas that seem weird or impossible right now.
Why this step matters
A fuzzy idea leads to a fuzzy application build. The more specific you are in your initial brief, the easier it will be for your web application developer to propose the right technical solution and a realistic quote.
Recommended framework
- Free brainstorming: list every feature you have in mind
- Prioritization: sort them by importance (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have)
- User stories: describe each feature from the user’s perspective
- Simple wireframes: sketch the main screens by hand
This preliminary documentation will be priceless when you start talking with your freelance developer or development agency.
2. Visualize the Time Saved: Quantify the Value of Your App
Before you build an application, you want concrete projections of the gains. How many hours per week will your solution save? Quantifying that value is essential to justify the investment when you speak to a software developer.
Calculating the time ROI
For a business application, break it down precisely:
- Current time spent on manual tasks
- Estimated time after automation
- Multiply by the number of users
- Assign an hourly rate to that time
If your application saves 2 hours per week for 10 employees paid €50/hour, that’s an annual saving of €52,000 (2 × 10 × 50 × 52 weeks).
Compare it with the development cost
The ROI has to be obvious: if your custom application development costs €30,000 and generates €52,000 in yearly savings, the payback period is 6 months. That’s a compelling talking point when you brief your developer.
3. Focus on What Would Simplify YOUR Life: Map Your Specific Processes
Don’t copy your competitors. Your bespoke web application must address YOUR unique business workflows. That’s where an experienced freelance developer shines—by creating a solution that fits like a glove.
Audit your current processes
Before you contact a developer, document:
- Existing workflows and pain points
- Data you handle and how it circulates
- Integrations you need with your current tools
- Business-specific nuances that set you apart
Why custom beats off-the-shelf
A custom-made application gives you:
- Perfect alignment with your needs
- Scalability as you grow
- Native integrations with your systems
- A lasting competitive edge
That’s why choosing a seasoned app developer who understands your business context is crucial.
4. Talk to Your Market First: Validate Real Needs
One of the most common mistakes is building an app without validating the actual need. According to CB Insights, 42% of startups fail because there’s “no market need.”
Market validation methods
Before you contact a developer, stress-test your concept:
- User interviews: aim for 20–30 conversations
- Online surveys: Google Forms, Typeform
- Concept tests: pitch the problem without revealing the solution
- Feedback analysis: spot recurring patterns and objections
Key questions to ask
- “What’s your biggest struggle in app domain?”
- “How do you solve this problem today?”
- “How much time do you spend on it?”
- “Would you pay for an automated solution?”
Those insights will shape a precise brief for your web app developer.
5. Start Selling Early: Prove Real Demand
Pre-selling is the best validation for your application. Even before you hire a developer, test real demand with lightweight assets.
Effective pre-sale tactics
- Pre-order landing page built with Webflow or Framer
- Waitlist with incentives (discount, priority access)
- Interactive prototype in Figma for demos
- Paper MVP to validate workflows
Validation signals
A validated demand shows up as:
- Landing-page conversion rate above 2%
- Waitlist covering 6 months of target sales
- Enthusiastic, specific feedback
- Prospects recommending you on their own
These metrics also reassure your freelance developer that the project is worth it.
6. Structure Your Business: Get the Model Crystal Clear
Before you build an application, your business model must be sharp. How will you monetize, distribute, and scale your solution? These decisions have a direct impact on the technical architecture.
The three pillars of your business model
Monetization
- Recurring SaaS: monthly/annual subscriptions
- Freemium: free tier + premium features
- One-time license: single purchase
- Commission-based: percentage on transactions
Distribution
- Direct sales: internal sales team
- Inbound marketing: SEO, content marketing
- Partners: resellers, affiliates
- Marketplaces: App Store, Play Store
Scalability
- Cloud architecture to absorb growth
- Automation for internal processes
- APIs for partner integrations
Your application developer will adapt the architecture to these strategic choices.
7. Study Your Real Competitors: Define a Differentiated Positioning
Competitive intelligence is essential before you contact a developer. Spotting where competitors fall short will give you decisive leverage for your application build.
How to run a competitive analysis
Direct competitors
- Feature set and limitations
- Pricing and business models
- UX/UI: highlights and pain points
- Customer reviews: recurring complaints
Indirect competitors
- Alternative solutions your audience uses
- Current workarounds prospects rely on
- Generalist tools they repurpose
Find the openings
Your opportunities lie in:
- Feature gaps that remain unsolved
- Overly complex user experiences
- Pricing misaligned with SMB budgets, for example
- Poor customer support
Those insights will shape the specs you hand over to your web application developer.
8. Clarify Your Edge: Craft a Unique Value Proposition
Your custom application must deliver a unique benefit. What will convince someone to pick your solution over what already exists?
Building your value proposition
Possible differentiators
- Industry specialization: deep business expertise
- Ease of use: UX tailored to your audience
- Native integrations: plugs into their tools out of the box
- Superior performance: speed, reliability, security
Say it clearly
Use this framework: “For target, who problem, our application is category that key benefit. Unlike competitor, we differentiator.”
Example: “For accounting firms that waste time on manual entry, our application is a digitization tool that automates 80% of data entry. Unlike generalist software, we integrate natively with every French accounting tool.”
This value proposition guides your developer in every architectural and UX decision.
9. Estimate the Payoff: ROI and Preliminary Budget
ROI is the elephant in the room when you contact a developer. How much will your solution generate or save? That projection justifies your development budget.
Calculating the projected ROI
Revenue-generating applications
- Additional revenue: new customers, upsells
- Sales automation: lead generation, nurturing
- Data monetization: insights, premium reports
Cost-saving applications
- Less manual time: automation of repetitive tasks
- Fewer errors: savings on fixes and claims
- Resource optimization: better utilization rates
Budget versus expected return
For a viable application build:
- Minimum ROI: 300% over 3 years
- Payback period: under 18 months
- Safety margin: apply −30% conservative assumptions
These numbers make your case when you talk with your freelance developer.
10. Uncover the Core Need: Get Down to the Root Problem
The final step before you contact a developer is to uncover the real problem you’re solving—not just the symptom. A great application tackles a clearly defined issue.
Use the “5 Whys” technique
To reach the root cause, ask:
- Why do you need this application?
- Why does the problem exist?
- Why aren’t current solutions enough?
- Why is it critical right now?
- Why is an application the best answer?
Clarification examples
Symptom: “We’re losing customers.”
Real issue: “Our manual follow-up causes missed reminders.”
App solution: CRM with automated workflows
Symptom: “Sales are flat.”
Real issue: “Our sales reps lack real-time field data.”
App solution: Mobile app with CRM sync
This clarity helps your application developer propose the optimal technical solution.
The Final Secret: Ship the Minimal Version, Not the Perfect One
Here’s the most critical tip before you build your application: always favor a minimal, working version over a perfect version that never ships.
Embrace the MVP mindset (Minimum Viable Product)
MVP principles
- Cover 80% of the need with 20% of the features
- Collect real user feedback within the first weeks
- Iterate fast based on actual usage
- Keep your budget under control and launch sooner
Why iterative development wins
- 60% shorter time-to-market
- Project risk cut by a factor of 3
- Higher user satisfaction thanks to integrated feedback
- Optimized total cost over a 3-year horizon
Partnering with your developer
An experienced application developer will guide you through this approach:
- Objective feature prioritization
- Scalable architecture from version 1
- Success metrics defined from day one
- Clear roadmap for future iterations
That mindset sets every custom application up for success.
Valentin Muller: Your Freelance App Developer in Lyon
As a freelance web developer specializing in bespoke web applications in Lyon, I support you through the entire strategic process. I’m not just a developer—I help you structure your business and build an application that truly performs.
How I support you
- Scoping workshop: clarify needs and objectives
- Feasibility study: validate technical and financial viability
- Rapid prototyping: interactive mockups to secure buy-in
- Agile development: frequent releases and continuous feedback
My technical expertise
- High-performance web applications with Vue.js and Nuxt.js
- Mobile applications for iOS/Android (native and hybrid)
- Robust backends with Nest.js, Python, TypeScript
- API integrations and data synchronization
Conclusion
Before you contact a developer for your application, these 10 preparation steps are fundamental. They save time and prevent expensive pivots mid-project.
Success is rooted in preparation: structured ideas, validated market, clear business model, and precise needs. Once that groundwork is done, your application developer can deliver the right technical solution and tailored support.
I believe a successful application is born from this collaboration between your industry expertise and my technical skills. Reach out and let’s turn your idea into a high-performing digital solution.
