When it comes to choosing a software development company for your next big project, you can never be too careful.
The right software development company can be a good investment for your company, as long as it allows your business to grow and earn more revenue.
On the other hand, the wrong software development company could cost you money. You don’t want to pay for the software, only to discover that it doesn’t meet the needs of your business. You’re then in a position where you have to start the process over again or where you have to make the unwanted software work.
If you’re in the process of choosing a software development company, keep the following six tips in mind.
Why building software
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the purpose of building new software. There are a few reasons why a company might want new software. The most popular reason is to increase the productivity of their company. If the software is capable of improving the efficiency of your company, it could accelerate the growth of your company.
Other reasons include improving collaboration around the office or providing better customer service. Knowing why you want new software can help you locate companies that can build the software that you need.
Turnaround time
Next, you’ll want to consider how quickly you need the software. A typical software project takes up to nine months to develop, but more complex software could take even longer. Production time will vary depending upon the company you use and what features you want.
Have a time frame in mind before you approach companies. Let them know your thoughts and see if they’re able to accommodate your request. Of course, you want to avoid a company that rushes through a project. If you have to choose between accuracy and turnaround, choose accuracy.
Meeting face-to-face
Next, determine if you want to meet face-to-face with the developers or if you’re comfortable with remote work. There are pros and cons to both methods. Face-to-face meetings often cost more, but you’ll get to work more closely with the developer. Plus, if they live near you, you can continue having in-person meetings throughout the process.
Remote developers might charge less, but they could be more challenging to arrange meetings with. If they’re in a different timezone than you, they might not be readily available to answer questions you might have during the process.
Previous projects
After you have a few developers in mind, start looking through previous projects they have done. Determine if they’ve worked with others within your industry. If possible, play around with existing software to see how it functions. You’ll also want to read reviews and check references.
Many developers will list previous companies that they have worked for. For example, by exploring the Wilde IT Developers site, you’ll discover that they’ve worked for companies such as Daimler. If a developer doesn’t include references on a site, make sure that they provide you with a list.
Focus on improvement
As you’re vetting companies, ask them what their policy regarding project improvements are. Most software companies will offer to either provide ongoing support after the project launches to fix any glitches, or they’ll offer to run analytics for a few months and then start to make improvements.
If a company isn’t willing to help you continue to improve the software, this could be a red-flag. Most companies include several months of support into the initial costs, but then start charging for support after all the initial kinks are worked out. If they aren’t willing to provide any support, go with a different company.
Cost of project
Finally, you’re going to want to consider the overall cost of the project. As you narrow down your company options, start asking them for quotes. Even if you haven’t worked out the finer details of the project yet, they should at least be able to provide you with an estimated quote based upon previous projects.
Don’t be afraid to ask for negotiations. If there is a company that you like, but you can’t afford the cost of the project, see if they’re willing to make any accommodations.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right software development company takes time, but it is time that is well worth the effort. Finding the right company from the start can save you headaches later on in the process.
Make sure to schedule meetings with several companies so that you have some point of comparison. Also, reach out to others within your industry to ask for references.
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