Custom software development has become an integral part of success for many companies. Such demand calls for a huge supply.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the next eight years, the employment of software developers is expected to grow by 21%. Impressive, isn't it? With this overwhelming supply of experts, how do you choose the right software provider?
1. Get Referrals
While searching online for top software companies can yield results, it's time-consuming and frustrating work. The best way to select a software partner is to obtain referrals. Past clients can answer the toughest questions and share all the good, the bad, and the ugly.
In short, ask around. Someone in your network must have worked with a software partner before.
If no referrals are forthcoming, you can use such resources such as Clutch, a B2B Ratings & Reviews site.
2. Check the Portfolio
Find out which projects your prospective partner has already worked on. With each new project, a company works on past mistakes, strengthens its methodology, tweaks its strategy, and much more.
While leafing through the portfolio, check if the company has experience developing software similar to yours. In short, a developer who is stellar at developing gaming apps may not be the right fit for creating healthcare provider software. While such a company can still produce excellent results, it's likely to take much longer.
3. Discuss Delivery Time
An average software development project takes about 4.5 months to complete. If you are in a hurry (which you probably are), it's important to find out if the company is fully available to work on your app.
What are their delivery terms? Do they suit your needs? Top-notch software development companies are likely to have a long queue of projects. Find out if they are ready to put yours on top of their list.
4. Test Communication Skills
As a non-technical person, you may have a tough time evaluating the developer's coding skills during an interview. However, you can do a great job figuring out how well the company can communicate.
Clear communication is the key to timely project completion, especially when you don't have a software development background. Can the developer understand what you need? Do you feel comfortable discussing the project parameters? Don't hesitate to trust your gut feeling on this one.
5. Ask for Help
When you are interviewing a software development company, you may want to bring a friend, who knows at least something about coding.
Does the word "waterfall" make you think about Niagara Falls? Does "agile" turn your mind to gymnastics? Someone who knows that these are software development methodologies can help you conduct an interview.
6. Go Local
While in the 21st century, remote software development is a possibility, it's always better to stick to "onshore" companies. Starting from similar time zones and the same currency and ending with similar values and the same language, local software development companies always win.
Remember, you are going to spend months working closely with these people. They should at least be on the same continent.
7. Monitor the Price
High-quality software development is highly demanded and never cheap. An appealingly low price is likely to mean a lack of experience, botched deadlines, poor communication, and so on. Anything under $30 per hour should raise a huge red flag.
Take the time to compare prices offered by at least three companies before making the final decision.
Final Thoughts
While choosing the right software partner can be frustrating and time-consuming, it comes with a high ROI. Invest the time in the search to reap the benefits of a top-notch piece of software later.
Would you like to find out if Cuttlesoft is the software partner you've been looking for? Schedule a free consultation today.
