Set Your Expectations Before You Start The Research
Establishing your project specifications and expectations is the first step you should take before hiring a software house.
Determine the activities and technologies that developers require based on the issue that you are trying to solve.
Consider:
- What are you looking to build (e.g. web/mobile/desktop app)?
- Do you want to build your product and team from scratch? Or do you already have a team and need an extension?
- What are your current roles, experience, and tech stacks?
- Which technology stacks and specialized skills-sets do you need to fill your gaps?
- Are you looking for long-term or shorter-term solutions?
- How much do you have to spend?
Next, you need to find a company that does the exact work that you require. web development, JavaScript software development, These questions will allow you to narrow down your search and save you a lot of time.
Where Can I Find A Software Development Company To Help Me?
- Ask for recommendations.
- You can browse various rankings such as top React development companies or TechReviewer.
- Talk to your clients
You can see the complete comparison of top JavaScript developers companies.
How do you Choose a Software Company?
These key aspects make it easier for you to choose the right software development company.
1. Assess Expertise
Examine their prior work after selecting one or more companies to collaborate with. Look for apps that are comparable to yours or have prior market experience.
If you can, test each application in the portfolio. These programmes are frequently open to the public, so you may determine if you think highly of them as users.
Viewing the apps Google Play rating is also helpful.
You are certain in the companys competence and that it will meet your needs. On their websites, many businesses display customer reviews.
Thats fantastic. But dont solely depend on it. The people could be made up, and they could not even be real. It should be noted that testimonials could not match the companys page.
To get the authors perspectives, it could be worthwhile to search them up on LinkedIn. Reach out to your network to see if anyone there has any experience with the business.
Searching online for reviews on sites like Facebook or Clutch is another method to find them. The reason why Clutch-like portals function well is that customers must write reviews, which the platform then checks.
The platform might even phone them in some circumstances to ask them further questions.
2. The Fewer, The Better
Technology is all about simplicity. Experts are the best people to work with. Experience is the best way to be considered an expert in your field.
Our experience and that of our competitors shows that a large percentage of software projects can be completed in 4-6 months.
Others take many years. Technology changes quickly. Some technologies can be obsolete in three years, while others may stay for a long time.
With all of this in mind, it is unlikely that developers from a company will be experts in many technologies simultaneously.
Its unlikely that developers can be experts in many technologies simultaneously.
The situation is a little different for enterprises. If you notice a landing page for a software company that has a lot of logos from different technologies such as RoR, PHP or Node.js - it is a sign to be cautious.
If youre a large enterprise, it is possible to be proficient in more than one language. Find a React-focused company to build your front-end. A focused partner in software development is important. They should be specialists in the technology they use.
3. Take A Look At Their Communication Process And Routine
Great process and tools equal better products, Look for a company that values the importance of retrospective meetings and continually improves the development process.
If they are able to clearly communicate what they expect from you, it will be easier and cheaper to integrate your external developers team.
According to a report, communication is more important than price today for customers.
Agile development is a standard. 80% of IT teams use daily standups, sprints and a similar definition for done. Tip Transparency is key in Agile methodology.
Always check the companys delivery and planning processes. These meetings give teams a sense of urgency which helps them stay motivated for the entire week.
You want your team to be able to use tools
- Online chats such as Slack and Mattermost, are fast, simple to use, multifunctional, quick, and offer instant communication. Dont worry about awkward, formal looking emails that can easily get lost.
- To hold daily meetings, online call tools like Google Meet, Zoom, or Skype can be used. They may be accessed anywhere and are simple to set up.
- Asana, Trello, and Jira are examples of project and bug management tools that will keep the workflow organized, prioritize issues appropriately, and prevent issue reports from getting misplaced.
- Use file-sharing applications like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Notion to share and save crucial documents for the creation of digital products.
4. Rule Of Thumb For Companies Of Similar Size
This advice was gleaned from John Warrillows book, "Built to sell: Creating an Enterprise That Can Thrive Without You".
There are many advantages to choosing a company like yours. The most important is that you want to be treated as a VIC ( very important client). You may not get enough attention if the company is too large.
They may not have the experience necessary to handle such a large scale if they are too small.
5. Chemistry with Partners
We believe in chemistry and relationships. We collaborate as closely with our partners (not clients ), to discuss the shape of the product.
The pitfalls can be avoided if there is chemistry between us and we have extensive, transparent communication. We can also pursue the success of our partners company.
6. Frequent Deployment
Your business should be eager to update you on its progress as soon as it can. A demo version of the product should cap off each sprint.
This expedites growth! Developers are encouraged to present their efforts on a weekly or biweekly basis. They feel the pressure every week.
The same pressure is placed on you as the customer to provide data, specifications, and mockups for the sprint the next week. The development approach must include weekly demos. In our situation, they significantly affect both the quality and the rate of development.
7. Partner Who Is Familiar With The Business
Weve seen it all as serial entrepreneurs. Its not about the technology and code behind your product. Its about the business.
Your partner in development should be able to understand your needs and challenge you with new features, assist you in prioritizing, give technical advice, and connect you as a member of their network.
How do you know if a company is able to understand the business side of technology projects? They can also offer cross-functional teams.
You can see it in their work.
The culture can be a powerful indicator of your ability to understand the business side of technology projects. DevOps is a model that encourages collaboration between tech and business.
DevOps is a model of working that allows companies to closely collaborate with stakeholders, thereby reducing the feedback loop.
8. Geography
It is not your intention to feel like there is a language barrier. English is the most important language in modern times.
A software development company should be your partner. They will advise you and not just write the code.
You should be looking for creative problem-solvers who are fluent in English. Consider carefully before you decide to move offshore from a country of a completely different culture.
A businesss success is dependent on its technology. It can make up between 30-40%. Look for a partner that can help you with more than just the code.
9. They Prefer Contract - Flexibility Or Inflexibility
You should not choose the fixed-price model if you dont have exact mockups and specifications, user stories, or a project plan.
It will cost you less than a time- and material-based project.
Most software development companies will charge 25% to cover the risk that you dont know the scope of the project.
Because it offers more flexibility, time & material pricing is the best option for most projects. Later, we will explain the differences between time & materials and fixed price.
10. Avoid Demonetization
The well-being and security of a company could be easily compromised without proper security measures. Think about Intellectual Property.
You wont have the right to monetize the project if your provider doesn't transfer it to you.
The infographic below illustrates which project elements ought to be discussed and dealt with in a contract. Its not spelled out in all providers contracts.
So be vigilant!
Each nation has different IP protection rights. Make sure you thoroughly investigate the nation you are outsourcing to.
Either you should have your own contract or ask the software development company to send you one so you may review it and talk it over with your legal team.
Your partner should have access to extra documents and measurements before you start the collaboration.
Here is a list of the most important ones:
- Non-Disclosure Agreement: This document safeguards your companys trade secrets and sensitive information.
- Non-Compete Agreement: Prevents outsourced businesses from sharing your discoveries or ideas. You cannot associate with potential rivals of your client as an agency or developer for the duration of the contract.
- API Access - If a pre-made component of secure software has been created using an API, your partner can connect to it directly and use it as a black box without needing access to the sensitive code.
- Data Access - You dont have to grant developers working on your project access to the complete database. However, if youd like, you can provide them access to a local copy of the database. You can do this to limit the data that can be taken.
- Server Access - In order to restrict access to data, only a select group of staff should have access to the servers for upkeep duties (updating the database and application).
- SSL Certificates: Use secure SSL certificates to verify the identity of outside developers
Skills Required custom software Development Partner
Technical Skills
Companies looking to outsourced software development should avoid vendors that specialize in multiple types of technical architecture.
There is no single solution for product development. If the leaders have not done extensive research and settled on a preferred technology, the discovery phase should consider all aspects when choosing the right technology for the project.
Skills and processes are just as important when selecting IT consulting services. You should look for technical expertise in different areas that are relevant to the development of digital products.
Aligned Business Goals
Although it is easy to set up a website as a consultant in digital product development, the experience makes a difference.
Todays business world is more dynamic than it was a decade ago. It is not enough to be knowledgeable about products.
Software development companies should be able to understand the companys goals and how they want to grow the business over time.
UX/UI
While some software development companies concentrate on technical services, others are more interested in design.
Making a decision between the two for realizing your vision is frequently challenging.
For instance, a superb user experience design makes interaction impossible to resist and ensures company success.
Business owners ought to look for a mobile and web app development firm with expertise in user experience design, product prototyping, and standardized procedures for usability and validation testing.
Agile and DevOps
In todays uncertain market, lightning-fast digital product releases are vital. With the right structures and processes in place, an organization may speed up feedback and decrease time-to-market.
Through Agile and DevOps, this is frequently conveyed. Processes are streamlined by the dynamic and iterative nature of agile development. Additionally, it integrates a customer-centric culture that encourages innovation at all levels.
Most IT companies will implement patches in a non-stability manner if they adopt a "finish the project, move on" approach.
When a bug occurs, they will offer a temporary fix rather than a permanent solution.
The agile design methodology allows for iteratively informed decisions in design; UX/UI results in product architectures and solutions that delight end-users.
DevOps refers to the collaboration between IT and operations. This creates an additional feedback loop that is supported by end-to-end processes that move the project quickly and efficiently toward its intended outcome.
Read More: 10 Different Types Of Software Development
Quality Assurance
As weve already mentioned, the product development mindset is preoccupied with finding the most effective way to attain the intended result.
Agile development and DevOps place a strong emphasis on iterative development in place of working in silos. The best product for the users demands is produced, creating a continuous feedback loop that aids in maintaining the desired outcomes high quality.
In order to keep the business moving forward, an enterprise project must incorporate continuous testing and validation, which includes user testing, prototyping, and daily scrums that gradually improve and scale the solutions.
Accreditations and Certifications
Businesses are willing to spend considerable resources to find the best software development company for them. They want to verify the claims and performance.
Enterprises should request certifications from Adobe and Microsoft. These are granted only to partners who meet a high standard. Accreditations from third parties, which can give impartial insight, are available in addition to online ratings, reviews, awards, and other forms of recognition.
Secure
If an IT company wants to be trusted, security will be a top priority. This is an obvious priority for any enterprise.
Enterprises need to consider data loss and deployment risk factors if the software is not working properly. It is crucial for an entity to inquire about the security measures taken by its product development partner.
Support for after-development
Software development partners that are committed to exceptional product development will offer post-development support, such as backups and regular maintenance.
Enterprises should ask about the extent and scope of the after-development assistance offered. It is better to find alternative solutions if the software partner does not offer after-development support.
Delivery time
It is crucial for any business to be punctual, and even more so when selecting the right partner for software development.
Your company should respect your timelines and follow them. A custom software development company should have a track record of meeting strict deadlines.
This allows you and your team to test the software, and it also makes the application easier for your employees to use.
Identify the objectives and time limitations of your project. Knowing what you want to build will make it easier for both you and your client to save time.
It is a good place to start: a simple requirements list, with basic diagrams, mockups and workflows.
This will help you avoid having to explain an abstract idea to development teams. Teams must understand your vision or they will make inaccurate estimates of the budget and timeframe.
Looking For An Outsourcing Partner
Quotes: Reject the cheapest
Its just like shopping for products - every time you buy an iPhone cable at the lowest price, it breaks within a week.
Same goes for buying services.
You will end up paying more if you select the lowest offer. Why?
Here are some reasons why.
- Technological Debt - Badly written code, a lack of tests, hard to maintain or work on, and a lack of documentation.
- Source code ownership You wont get the source code, but you will receive a bundle code or the company may offer to license the product.
- Poor communication - Lack of experience of the offshoring/nearshoring team, poor English level, lack of transparency in the development process.
It doesnt matter if the service is the least expensive, but it does not matter if it is the most affordableYou will end up spending 2-3x more on the future if you spend less initially (the worst-case scenario is to rewrite the entire app).
Selecting a partner for a software development service is like buying an iPhone cable.
After a few weeks, the cheaper one will break. You will end up paying more if you select the cheapest offer.
Other Red Flags
- Poor quality websites or content
- vague portfolio descriptions,
- Generic testimonials
- Google reviews with negative feedback
Other Considerations
Select Your Preferred Pricing Model: Fixed Price, Time & Materials Or Fixed Price
Fixed-price pricing seems to be the best pricing model for many people. It should, in theory, reduce the risk of overspending while ensuring timely and complete delivery.
A fixed price model is usually paired with a Waterfall project manager. Before the project can start, all business and product decisions as well as the scope must be determined, declared and contracted.
The time and materials model, on the other hand, is based on the actual time spent on a project as well as an hourly rate or man-day rate.
It is possible to change the scope as business, design and software teams test solutions and find the best fit for current users needs.
Lets look at the key features of both solutions side-by side.
Read More: Learn the Essentials of Software Development in 2023
Flexibility in scope
- Fixed Price: Low - The scope and requirements are determined before any development begins.
- Time and materials: Higher - project specifications and shapes may change in line with business conditions.
Launching a Product
- Fixed cost: The projects quality and scope will determine how quickly it develops. If there is no incentive to change the scope or if the expertise is easily accessible, the process can go quickly. Long-term initiatives can be challenging to effectively assess, which raises the possibility of issues and lengthens the project.
- Time and resources: There isnt a single, perfect solution. Speed depends on things like. Although the quality of the specification is crucial, the team can handle adjustments considerably more quickly and easily.
Product-To-Market Fit
- Product-to-Market Fit is dependent on the size and caliber of the project; fixed price.
- Time and resources: More likely: During the process, the products additional value might be identified and used in the intended use.
Price
- Fixed price: Usually determined upfront. However, in some cases this may be negotiable.
- Time and materials: It is difficult to estimate. In some cases, development will be more costly, while in others it will be less expensive. The product may have more value per dollar spent because of its agility.
What Solution Is Best For You?
You can build small features and you have lots of clarity regarding your requirements and the solution. Both will work.
Have all requirements clearly stated and there are no uncertainties. Both might work well if youre trying to create a complete product for a market that doesnt shift much.
The truth is, you cannot avoid changing requirements. The requirements analysis wont be perfect if the time-to-market aspect of the project is important and/or there is a short runway.
If you select a fixed price model, be prepared for possible contract/scope negotiations. You should choose TIME & MATERIALS if you are looking to create a complete product for a constantly changing market or if you have any questions about how it works.
Although you dont know what the cost will be, even if it is higher than you originally anticipated, the likelihood that you get the item you need increases.
Make sure everyone involved has a clear understanding of the budget if there is a runway.
To build:
- A small feature and requirements can be clearly - both solutions will work.
- A full product that isnt shifting might be a good choice for a market. BOTH could work well.
- A complete product for a changing market.
Location - Onshoring Or Offshoring?
There are at most four types of outsourcing based on geography. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Onshoring
Software development offshore means that you work with companies located in your country. The main benefit is the ability to work with skilled people in your country and language.
This option has one problem: the price. It is often significantly more expensive than other options.
Offshoring
Offshore software development is simply the hiring of a team to work remotely for open source development services. The main advantage? Its affordable.
Nearshoring
The halfway ground between the two possibilities is nearshore software development. These businesses are situated in nations with time zones that are comparable to yours.
This technique strikes an excellent balance between effective, organic communication and substantial cost reductions.
Hybrid
Hybrid software outsourcing is a combination of local management and development overseas. While you can manage the management section in your native language, and work in the same hours, they will deal with developers from other countries and have to adjust their time zones.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Conclusion
Outsourcing can help you increase productivity and allow experts to manage your business with efficiency. You can be sure that your decision will have tangible and quantifiable results if you select the right partner to meet your technology needs.
