How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Selecting a TYPO3 Agency
Choosing the right TYPO3 agency is key to your project’s success. The wrong choice can lead to delays, revisions, and extra costs. Avoiding mistakes when choosing a TYPO3 agency, like opting for the cheapest or least experienced, helps prevent bigger issues and ensures a smoother process.
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Choosing a TYPO3 Agency
1. Prioritizing Price Over Quality
Why it’s a problem:
The cheapest option may seem appealing, but it often comes with compromises on quality, expertise, and after-launch support.
Low-priced agencies may not provide thorough testing or the necessary long-term maintenance.
What to do instead:
Evaluate agencies based on their experience and the value they offer, not just the price.
Consider the full scope of services, including support and updates, to avoid unexpected issues.
2. Failing to Check TYPO3 Experience
Why it’s a problem:
TYPO3 is a complex CMS, and without solid experience, an agency might face issues with site performance, functionality, or security.
Agencies that are not true TYPO3 experts may not fully understand the platform’s potential.
What to do instead:
Choose agencies that specialize in TYPO3 and have demonstrable experience in handling TYPO3-specific challenges.
Ask to see portfolios or case studies from past TYPO3 projects to ensure their competence.
3. No Clear Project Scope or Timeline
Why it’s a problem:
Without a well-defined plan, your project can quickly veer off track, resulting in missed deadlines, extra costs, or incomplete features.
Lack of clarity during the project setup can lead to frustration and confusion.
What to do instead:
Establish clear goals, timelines, and deliverables at the start.
Ensure the agency provides a structured project plan and regular progress updates throughout the process.
4. Relying Too Much on Custom Extensions
Why it’s a problem:
Over-customizing the website with unique extensions can make it harder to update, increase load times, and tie you to a single developer or agency.
Custom code can lead to future technical debt and maintenance issues.
What to do instead:
Use TYPO3’s built-in features and popular community extensions as much as possible.
Opt for custom development only when essential and ensure the code is maintainable and well-documented.
5. Overlooking Maintenance and Support After Launch
Why it’s a problem:
A website needs ongoing attention to stay secure, fast, and compatible with new technologies. Without maintenance, you risk performance issues, security vulnerabilities, or compatibility problems down the road.
What to do instead:
Choose an agency that offers continuous support, including regular updates, backups, and bug fixes.
Establish a maintenance plan from the outset to ensure your site stays in top shape.
6. Choosing the Wrong Size Agency
Why it’s a problem:
Small agencies may struggle with larger or more complex projects, while large agencies might not offer the personalized service needed for smaller projects.
A mismatch in agency size and project scope can lead to inefficiencies and frustration.
What to do instead:
Select an agency that fits the scale of your project, whether you need a small, agile team or a large agency with more resources.
Make sure the agency’s processes align with your project’s complexity and your desired level of involvement.
Tips for Choosing the Right TYPO3 Agency
Review past projects. Look for case studies or references from clients with similar needs and challenges.
Ensure effective communication. The right agency should be transparent, responsive, and easy to work with.
Confirm ongoing support. Ensure the agency offers maintenance services to keep your site secure and up-to-date.
Final Takeaways
Choosing a TYPO3 agency is about more than just getting the site up and running. You need an experienced team that understands the platform, can deliver a high-quality product, and will be there for you after launch. Focus on finding an agency that offers expertise, clear processes, and long-term support.
