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Buying web & app development

Clear guides to costs, timelines, platforms, ownership, App Store delivery, migration, maintenance, agency risk and return on investment.

Commissioning software means making business decisions before the technical ones. These guides explain the questions a buyer should be able to answer, the evidence worth collecting, and the responsibilities that continue after launch.

Most carry a working decision model with the tradeoffs made explicit. They are written to help you compare options and reduce risk, not to turn every problem into a Bothmade project — each one links to the relevant service or pricing detail and cites the live primary source when platform or search rules matter.

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Guides in Buying web & app development

Buyer guide5 min read

Fixed price vs hourly web development

Compare fixed-price and hourly web development by scope certainty, flexibility, incentives and risk—not by which headline rate looks cheaper.

Buyer guide5 min read

Website builder vs custom website

Choose between a website builder and a custom website using content, integrations, design, ownership, performance and operational complexity.

Buyer guide6 min read

WordPress vs Next.js for a business website

Compare WordPress and Next.js by editing needs, integrations, performance, security, ownership and the team that will maintain the website.

Buyer guide5 min read

Shopify vs custom ecommerce

Compare Shopify with custom ecommerce by checkout needs, catalogue rules, integrations, fees, ownership and the operational work behind every order.

Buyer guide11 min read

When does a business need a customer portal?

Decide whether repeated, permissioned self-service justifies identity, data, support and security—or whether a simpler tool solves the problem.

Buyer guide6 min read

How to write a website brief

Write a website brief that produces accurate quotes by defining the problem, audience, content, functionality, constraints, responsibilities and evidence.

Buyer guide5 min read

How many pages does a business website need?

Plan the right number of website pages from audience questions, services, locations, proof and search intent—not an arbitrary agency package.

Buyer guide10 min read

What happens during website discovery?

Understand the evidence, decisions, workshops and outputs that turn an uncertain website idea into a buildable, priced scope.

Buyer guide5 min read

Freelancer vs web development agency

Choose a freelancer or web agency by project complexity, specialist coverage, continuity, communication, accountability, budget and delivery risk.

Buyer guide6 min read

What is technical debt?

Understand technical debt in business terms: why shortcuts create recurring cost, how to measure the interest and when to repay, contain or accept it.

Buyer guide6 min read

Should you improve or rebuild your website?

Decide whether to optimise, redesign, replatform or rebuild your website using evidence, structural constraints, migration risk, cost and expected value.

Buyer guide9 min read

How much does an iOS app cost in the UK?

A practical UK iOS app budget guide covering scope, design, backend, testing, App Store delivery, maintenance and the costs buyers often miss.

Buyer guide8 min read

SwiftUI versus UIKit for a new application

Choose SwiftUI, UIKit or a deliberate hybrid by deployment target, interaction needs, team experience, accessibility, testing and maintenance.

Buyer guide8 min read

macOS App Store versus direct distribution

Compare Mac App Store and Developer ID distribution by discovery, sandboxing, payments, licensing, updates, review and customer control.

Buyer guide4 min read

The VAT line you cross without noticing

Ninety thousand pounds on a rolling twelve months is eight good projects. Crossing it unnoticed means owing 20% on money you have already spent.