Have you got a great idea for custom-built software? Maybe it is something that will boost the productivity of your business or, on the other hand, increase customer satisfaction. Whatever the case is, you have to invest a lot of time to develop that idea fully.
Once you have done this, it is time to hire a software development company. Yes, there are many businesses that offer this service, but that doesn’t mean that you should employ the first one that pops up in your search results. Keep in mind that the standard of services differs between the companies, and not finding the right one can gravely delay this project. So, here are some tips you should use while on this journey.
1. Get recommendations
Yes, you can find many software development companies online, but it is always better if you start with recommendations from your colleagues or partners. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, you will have a shortlist of potential businesses, so you won’t have to waste time conducting an online search and investigating numerous options. Instead, you will be able to focus on these recommendations and explore the way they conduct their business.
Secondly, you can rest assured that you have been introduced to experts who do a great job and have many satisfied customers. Plus, you will have someone to contact if you have some additional questions.
2. Know your requirements
Before you start research potential partners, you have to analyze your project thoroughly. This is a step you should not skip because otherwise, you will lose time negotiating with development companies only to learn that they cannot complete the work you need them to do.
Write down what you want to create, describe your goals, and make a list of expectations you want the software to meet. It is a great starting point to build up the design further, and at the same time, understand what it is that you actually need.
3. Investigate their portfolio
Just because someone has recommended a certain company to you, it doesn’t mean that they are the best fit for your project. You still have to explore their portfolio in great detail. Not only will you get familiar with their previous work this way, but you will also learn how experienced they are and whether they are open to making changes to customize their services.
In addition, companies that have been in business for quite some time have probably worked on numerous different types of projects. On the contrary, those that have just started are probably still focusing solely on specific tasks and services. This is why it is crucial to develop your idea completely to understand how complex it is.
4. Inquire about the technology
At first glance, it may seem redundant to ask this question because if they can build your software, then they must care about software protection. Still, this isn’t necessarily the case. Surely your main goal is to get top-notch, reliable and well-protected software that you can later develop and upgrade. Well, in order to be able to do this, the development company must have an advanced level of expertise in software security engineering. Check their portfolio, if they mention such expertise. If yes, do they demo some relevant achievements?
Look at this domain, these guys prove their expertise via winning the first prize in the Telegram contest. If you want to have reliable and invulnerable software, keep an eye on such experience, while choosing your software development partners.
5. Meet the team
When it comes to these projects, top communication is essential. You need to collaborate with people who not only fully understand your idea and what you want to achieve but also those who can give you feedback and provide you with useful suggestions. Yes, they must possess the appropriate set of skills, but at the same time, they have to communicate with you. You need to stay on top of the progress they are making, and this won’t be possible if they will only provide you with brief updates without going into detail.
6. Consider the security
Once again, this may seem like an unnecessary step, but it is a vital one. You have to learn about the safety system the team will use while working on your project. First of all, you have to be certain that your software is safe, meaning that no details about it will leak online.
Simultaneously, the application itself must be secured, meaning that all your clients’ or your business’ data will be safely stored. If you were to omit this task, you would run a significant risk of losing, well, everything. There isn’t a single person that will use an app that cannot ensure the safety of their personal data, and we are not even going to discuss how important it is to guard your business data that can be used against your company.
7. Think about the timeline
Naturally, the golden rule is never to hurry developers who are working on an important project. Otherwise, they might not get the best results. However, it is also crucial to make sure that they will be done with their work in time so that you can continue with developing your business.
Once you have met the team and presented your project to them, you have to ask them about the time they will need to complete it. They will provide you with a date, and then it is up to you to decide whether it works for your plan or not. If you have to meet a deadline, you have to find a company that can help you do this. It doesn’t matter if you have found the best time if they cannot develop the software during a certain time period.
8. Ask about the cost
Finally, before you formally employ a team of developers, you have to inquire about the price of services they offer. Naturally, you want to hire the best of the best, but sometimes, they can be out of your price range. You should set up a budget and try to stick to it. Yes, hiring a software development company requires a significant investment, but you should still find the one you can afford. Even if it is a significant project that can launch your company, it doesn’t mean you should go into debt and struggle with your finances.
