Frequently Asked Questions

Professional business websites start from AED 6,000, with a working range that depends on scope: page count and design depth, custom functionality (bookings, portals, dashboards), integration count, content migration, and bilingual Arabic-English requirements. Custom web applications scale with workflow complexity rather than page count. Atlio provides fixed-price proposals after a free scoping session — no surprises after you sign.

App cost is a function of four things: feature depth and screen count, platform choice (cross-platform Flutter typically saves 40–50% versus building two native apps), backend and integration scope, and design complexity. A focused single-purpose MVP costs a fraction of a feature-complete consumer product, which is why we usually recommend launching narrow and extending on real user feedback. We provide a detailed fixed-price breakdown after a free discovery session.

AI automation starts from AED 4,000 for workflow automations using tools like Zapier or n8n. Custom AI agent deployments and generative AI platforms scale with integration count, data complexity, and bilingual Arabic-English requirements — which is why we always recommend starting with one high-impact workflow, measuring the ROI, and expanding on evidence. Ongoing monthly monitoring and optimisation retainers start from AED 1,750/month. Every engagement starts with a free AI Opportunity Workshop and ends with a fixed written proposal.

Professional Shopify stores start from AED 7,500 with a custom theme, payment gateway integration (Telr, Network International, or Stripe), and standard logistics setup. Beyond that, cost scales with catalogue size, integration depth (ERP, POS, marketplaces), and features like multi-vendor support or bespoke checkout. Most UAE retailers launch on a fixed-price contract with phased rollout, scoped in a free consultation.

Custom software scope is driven by workflow complexity, user roles and permissions, integration count, and compliance requirements — not by a fixed price list. Our standard approach is MVP-first: launch the core workflows that prove value, then extend the same codebase in milestones as the system earns its keep. Multi-tenant SaaS adds billing, tenancy, and security engineering to that base. We scope and quote each platform after a free discovery session, with a fixed written proposal before any code is written.

Yes. For well-scoped projects with clear requirements, we offer a fixed-price contract where your investment is locked from day one. If you sign a fixed-price agreement, cost overruns are our responsibility — not yours. For projects with evolving requirements, we offer Time & Materials or Dedicated Team models with full hourly transparency. We discuss the right model during scoping.

Standard payment terms are split across project milestones: typically 40% on contract signing, 40% at mid-project sign-off, and 20% on final delivery. For larger projects, we can structure four or five milestone payments. Retainer engagements are billed monthly in advance. We accept bank transfer (local and international), corporate cheque, and major business credit cards.

No. Our initial discovery call — typically 30–60 minutes — is completely free. During this call we map your goals, constraints, and existing systems to understand where we can add the most value. After the call, we provide a written scoping proposal at no charge. You only pay once you have reviewed and approved the proposal.

A professional business website typically takes 3–5 weeks from kickoff to launch. A custom web application or portal takes 8–16 weeks depending on feature complexity. We provide a detailed week-by-week delivery schedule in the proposal. Our sprints are one week long — you see working software every Friday and can provide feedback before the next sprint begins.

A focused mobile app with core features typically takes 10–14 weeks for a single platform (iOS or Android) and 14–20 weeks for cross-platform (iOS + Android via Flutter). Timeline depends on back-end complexity, third-party integrations, and the number of unique screens. We provide a detailed sprint-by-sprint delivery plan in the proposal phase.

We follow a 6-step process on every project: (1) Discovery — align on goals and constraints; (2) Scoping — document requirements and architecture; (3) Proposal — fixed timeline and pricing; (4) Build — agile weekly sprints with live demos; (5) QA & Launch — thorough testing, staging, and go-live; (6) Support — post-launch retainer, training, or full handoff. Every phase has clear deliverables and sign-off points.

You will have a direct WhatsApp or Slack channel with your lead engineer and project manager. We hold weekly sprint demos so you see working software every 7 days. All tasks, decisions, and blockers are tracked in a shared project board (Notion or Jira, your preference). You will never need to chase us for an update — we surface issues proactively.

Yes. Every project is assigned a senior project manager who owns the delivery timeline, runs weekly demo calls, and acts as your single point of contact. The project manager also participates in scoping to ensure that what is quoted is what gets built. On Dedicated Team engagements, the project manager coordinates the pod and reports weekly on velocity and blockers.

On Fixed Price contracts, scope changes are managed through a formal change request process. We assess the impact on timeline and cost, get your written approval, and proceed — no hidden extras. On Time & Materials contracts, new requirements are simply added to the backlog and prioritised with you at the start of each sprint. We are structured to handle change without derailing delivery.

Our core stack includes Next.js and React for web, Flutter for mobile, Node.js and Python for back-end services, and PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Redis for data storage. For AI we use OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, LangChain, and n8n for orchestration. For DevOps we use AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines. We are not locked to any single vendor — we recommend the right tool for your use case.

Yes. React and Next.js are our primary front-end technologies. We build server-side rendered, statically generated, and hybrid Next.js applications optimised for Core Web Vitals, SEO, and Lighthouse performance scores. Our internal tooling and component library are Next.js-first. We have delivered Next.js projects ranging from marketing websites to complex enterprise portals.

Yes. Flutter is our preferred cross-platform mobile framework. A single Flutter codebase delivers native-quality iOS and Android apps from one shared code repository, reducing development time and long-term maintenance cost. We build Flutter apps with back-end APIs in Node.js or Python, integrated with Firebase, Supabase, or custom databases depending on your requirements.

We build AI solutions using OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, and open-source models such as Llama and Mistral. For orchestration and agents we use LangChain and LangGraph. For workflow automation we use n8n, Make, and Zapier. For RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) systems we use Pinecone, Weaviate, and pgvector. Model choice depends on cost, latency, and capability requirements for your specific use case.

Yes. We regularly integrate with existing systems and legacy platforms via REST APIs, webhooks, and direct database access. We can build on top of your current infrastructure, add new features to an existing codebase, or replace specific components without a full rewrite. We conduct a technical discovery review before scoping to understand your current architecture and identify the most efficient integration path.

Yes. Atlio builds all systems in compliance with the UAE Federal Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL, Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021). This covers lawful basis for data processing, user consent mechanisms, data subject rights (access, correction, deletion), cross-border transfer controls, and breach notification. We advise on PDPL implications during scoping and implement the required technical controls at the application layer, following the OWASP Top 10 for the security side.

Yes. Atlio Information Technology holds a valid UAE mainland trade licence issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai. We are not a free-zone or offshore entity. Our licence covers software development, IT consulting, and digital services. A copy of our trade licence is available on request for supplier registration and procurement purposes.

Yes. As a mainland-licensed Dubai company we can participate in government procurement, sign official contracts with federal and emirate-level entities, and comply with UAE government vendor registration requirements. We have experience with DHA (Dubai Health Authority) systems, NABIDH health data interoperability standards, and Smart Dubai digital services guidelines.

Yes. We serve clients across the GCC including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. We have delivered projects for clients in Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Kuwait City, Manama, and Muscat. Our GCC delivery includes bilingual Arabic-English interfaces, local payment gateway integration, and compliance with country-specific data and e-commerce regulations. Projects are managed from our Dubai base with local stakeholder involvement as needed.

Yes. Bilingual Arabic-English delivery is a core capability. We build right-to-left (RTL) layouts, Arabic-localised UX, and AI systems fine-tuned for Gulf Arabic dialect. Our design team produces Arabic and English interfaces natively — not translated afterthoughts. For AI and chatbot solutions, we ensure natural Arabic responses calibrated to UAE and GCC business context.

Yes. We sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before any discovery session or scoping discussion where business-sensitive information is shared. Our standard NDA is mutual (protecting both parties), covers all information exchanged during the engagement, has no expiry for proprietary business data, and is governed by UAE law. If you have a preferred NDA template, we will review and sign it.

You do. Full intellectual property — source code, design files, data models, documentation, and all other deliverables — transfers to you upon final payment. Atlio retains no license, right, or claim to any deliverable after IP transfer. This is written into every contract as a standard clause, not a special request. We do not use proprietary frameworks or vendor-locked tools that would limit your ownership.

Atlio follows ISO 27001 information security management best practices across all projects. Our practices include access control and least-privilege principles, encrypted data storage and transit (TLS 1.3, AES-256), secure code review and dependency scanning, incident response planning, and regular security assessments. For clients who require formal ISO 27001 certification from their suppliers, we can discuss audit facilitation during scoping.

Yes. Every fixed-price delivery includes a 90-day post-launch warranty. Any defects, bugs, or failures that are attributable to our code are fixed at no additional charge within this period. The warranty covers functional defects but not new feature requests or scope changes. After the warranty period, clients can continue on a support retainer (starting from AED 1,750/month) or move to a time-and-materials arrangement for ongoing work.

Yes — rescues and takeovers are a regular part of our work. We start with a structured audit of the code, infrastructure, and security posture, then deliver a prioritised plan: stabilise what blocks you first, modernise incrementally, avoid risky rewrites. If your previous developer disappeared or handed over without documentation, we can usually reconstruct what is needed from the code and hosting accounts.

Yes, properly: true right-to-left layouts that mirror the design rather than just flipping text, Arabic typography chosen for screen readability, per-language SEO so both versions rank, and admin tools where editors manage both languages side by side. For mobile apps, the same applies through native RTL support in Swift, Kotlin, and Flutter.

No preparation is strictly required — describing the business problem in your own words is enough to start. If you want to make the call maximally useful, bring three things: examples of products or sites you like, any existing system details (current website, tools your team uses), and a sense of your timeline. We do the structuring; you bring the context.