Contact us anytime to know more - Abhishek P., Founder & CFO CISIN
We have helped hundreds of clients worldwide and can tell you that finding the right partner for your product is more important than saving money on building it. Large and small businesses must offer customers transformative digital experiences to survive. Enterprises are forced to divert resources from core operations to enhance digital experiences.
Consumer expectations have skyrocketed due to the convenience and speed of digital platforms. Companies must now prioritize digital transformation to stay competitive. The possibilities for a startup looking to enter the digital space or a business looking to make digital services more accessible are endless. However, it is essential to improve your resources. What if there were a better, more innovative, and more efficient way to do things?
These challenges can be overcome by outsourcing and selecting the right partner in software development for product development. This will allow enterprises to escape the trenches and stay ahead of market demands. Outsourcing allows an enterprise to save money and tap into a team of designers, developers, and creative thinkers to help build the right digital products and keep them ahead in the market. Digital is the future and permanent reality. Business goals have realized this. You can see companies, startups, SMBs, and all types of businesses moving toward digital reality.
Everyone needs software systems, whether it's to optimize their business processes, solve real-world problems or ease work. While some people can live with off-the-shelf software from software companies and digital product providers, custom software is better. Choosing the right custom software company is critical to building your product. The right company will do more than create the code for your software. They will ensure you get functional, user-centric software that is cost-effective and on time.
Check this checklist to help you choose a custom software development company
It can be challenging to develop custom software. There are many steps to follow and technical requirements to meet. These are in addition to the coders' needs for manually writing them.
It is only possible to choose people to build your custom software. It is essential to do your research to find an experienced company capable of making the product within your budget.
1. Experience
Experience is everything. We don't mean that you should only look for companies that have been in business success for many years. It would help if you instead looked for companies that have niche experience.
If your custom software revolves around a SaaS product, you will want to work with someone familiar with the process. Look through their portfolio to find out. Expertise is what you need. An experienced company will be able to manage any challenges or risks that may arise during custom development. They must also have the maturity to handle it. A great manager will ensure smooth work and timely delivery.
2. Portfolio
When reviewing any custom software development services, you should next check its portfolio. Each established company will have a portfolio that displays its projects and success stories. You can get a good idea of the company's approach to projects and how they work.
You can also look at projects that are similar to your software idea. If you're looking for process automation software, check to see if they have done something similar. They would have shared with the client the difficulties they faced, the pain points encountered, and the solution they suggested. You can also learn about the technologies they used and how they progressed.
It is essential to review the entire portfolio of any custom software development company that you are considering joining. This portfolio will give you information about the company's experience, expertise, past companies, work done, and other technologies they have used. You can always visit the product/software or contact the client mentioned in the portfolio to get more information.
3. Technology Stack
Different projects require different technologies. Many technologies, libraries, frameworks, and versions of the technology are available today to help you build any product. Your company should have expertise in many technologies.
You shouldn't choose the company with the most tech stack. Before forming a partnership, make sure to verify the skills, certifications, associations, as well as specialized skills.
Your CTO should be involved in this decision. These people can provide a quick overview of the technology stack you may need for your custom software. Analyze your target platform - mobile, desktop, or multichannel. You will see how all technologies might work. They can tell you about front-end tech and backend tech as well as new technologies such as AI/ML, data science, and blockchain.
Determining which platform, technology frameworks, and languages you require for your project is necessary. These popular tech stacks should be easily visible in an established company:
- Programming languages: Java, JavaScript, Python, Linux, Android, iOS,
- Servers: Linux or Apache.
- Database, data storage, and more: MySQL, MongoDB, and MS SQL.
- Backend: JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java, C#, .NET, Kotlin, Scala, Laravel.
- Front-end: ReactNative and Angular, Flutter, Vue.js HTML5, CSS3, jQuery.
- Business Intelligence: Microsoft Power BI.
- Next-Gen: AI and ML, Blockchain, Data Science, and IoT.
- Cloud: Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform.
These are some of the most popular technologies you can hire developers for or check out with the company that is building your software. You may need to use different technologies depending on the features and functionalities you want to add or how you wish to make it run. One would need to use a combination of these technologies for custom software development.
4. Engagement Model
When collaborating with external organizations, every company wants to be in control:
- They may be able to create the entire product from scratch.
- They can help you as an extension of your team.
- You may have a group in your office, but you must fill a particular tech gap.
- You can also manage your development team.
Not every company offers all engagement models. One organization might offer only one developer, while another might provide teams. Another might manage whole projects. Others might work only for specific technologies or CTOs/technical founders.
It is essential to inquire about the company's engagement model. To efficiently meet your project requirements, they must agree on engagement models.
5. Reviews
Next on the checklist are the reviews. Reviews from customers can tell you a lot about a company that develops custom software. You don't have to believe the reviews posted by the company. You can also hear from customers at other locations.
- Review sites: Many websites offer company reviews. These sites are easy to use, and you can view company reviews. GoodFirms and G2 Capterra are good places to find company reviews.
- Listing sites: Clutch is the next place you will find detailed reviews. This site offers more than a quick overview of a few lines. The site asks clients many questions and provides clear answers to help you learn more about the company.
- Google Reviews: Google is the fastest and most efficient way to learn about any company. You can also check out the reviews left by other users to learn more about the company.
- Company website: The company website is the last thing you should see. A custom software development company will always proudly display and show off its reviews. To find out more, you can look in the testimonials section.
6. Budget Bracket
Businesses have a budget within which they can work. Some can work with custom software of all sizes and shapes, while others only target a particular market. It is essential to determine if the custom development company you are considering joining forces with has a budget. Get an estimate for your custom software development costs and determine your budget.
Others could only work on large projects that are worth millions of dollars. Others may specialize in small-sized projects. To avoid unexpected costs, you must ensure the company is within your budget.
7. Location
Next, make sure to verify their location. It is essential to know where the company is situated. A company that is located in your area may be the best option. A nearshore company could be a good choice for software development. You could also choose to work with an offshore software company, which is more cost-efficient and quicker.
Finding a company near you or hiring a team from the region can be costly. The cost of outsourcing or going nearshore will always be affected. Nearshoring can also mean you will pay more for similar services in the west. Outsourcing to India, or similar offshore countries, can save you money.
It's not just about the cost. There are many other reasons to take extra care of the area. It is essential to consider time zone differences, language barriers, cultural differences, and other factors. You should ensure that the country you choose for custom software development is compatible with your priorities.
Questions to Ask A Custom Software Development Company
You will have many questions about selecting the right custom software development company for your digital product. Some questions can be answered in team discussions or brainstorming sessions. But there are others that you will need to ask the company about. Yes, you can ask different questions to a software agent when you plan to work together to build your software. It is better to ask questions than to let confusion or misunderstandings creep in.
Here are some questions to ask when choosing a custom software development company.
Are You Familiar With Similar Projects?
- It is essential to find out if they have done similar work in the same niche, industry, or at a larger scale. This will give you an advantage if you have an experienced team to help you with your custom software.
How Do You Manage Projects?
- When looking for external talent, it is essential to understand how the company manages its projects. You might ask them to use specific project management tools or working methods. Before you start, know who your point of contact would be and how you will collaborate.
What Is Your Ideal Team Composition For This Project?
- It is essential to determine how many employees your company has available for custom software development projects. A typical project will require a minimum of a team that includes back-end and front-end developers, business analysts, quality assurance engineers, UI/UX designers, project managers, project managers, quality control engineers, and quality assurance engineers. You should ensure that they do the same.
How Do You Approach Software Development?
- It is essential to be on the same page regarding development. This will ensure smooth development and delivery. What if they are waterfall enthusiasts and you are agile enthusiasts? This could create confusion, unspoken expectations, and misinterpretations.
How About Maintenance?
- Software products still need to be finished with their development. To keep up with the latest technology, software products require constant maintenance and updates. It is essential to find out if software maintenance comes at an additional cost and what after-development support or post-launch support is offered.
Do You Have In-House Developers Or Work With Freelancers/Contractors?
- This is a crucial question if you're working with an external company. Companies with in-house developers will have a cohesive team that can work seamlessly. In-house developers can be contacted in the event of any issues after launch. Custom software development companies with in-house developers are more likely to follow a defined process and deliver the product on time.
What Tools Do You Use To Communicate Or Work?
- Many companies are moving to hybrid or remote work because they see the future of work. This gives you some comfort when working with other dedicated teams. However, it also means that you need to be prepared. Ask them how they plan to effectively communicate with you and what their collaboration tools will be. Information about remote working tools and who will pay for their licenses can be helpful.
Can You Share Some References?
- Although testimonials and reviews can give you a better understanding of the company, it is essential to do more research. Any company should provide references from past clients. If they hesitate to give concern, it is a sign that they have a problem with how they interact with clients.
What Would Be My Contribution Or Engagement To The Project?
- It is essential to understand the expectations of custom software development companies regarding your contribution. This will also give you an idea of the degree of control you would have over software development. You can participate in daily scrums or contact the project manager only. Or you could talk to skilled developers.
How Do You Break Down Your Costs?
- Many people need clarification about outsourcing costs. It would help if you got an estimate from your company about the cost of custom software development. However, it is also essential to understand all costs that are included in the outsourcing contract or development bill. Before you sign the contract, make sure to get an estimate of how much it will cost.
How to Choose a Custom Software Development Company
There are many steps involved in custom software development. A typical software development process would have you following the steps. Still, custom software development requires you to be more creative.
These are the steps you need to follow:
- Before you start, list your needs, goals, and objectives, and then complete the Statement of Work.
- You can search for companies using platforms such as Google searches.
- You can shortlist companies by evaluating them using different criteria.
- Analyze the reviews, talk to referrals that the companies provide, gain referrals/recommendations, and discuss requirements.
- To understand the process, request a small sample project.
- After comparing the costs and experience of outsourcing software development, choose the company.
- Before you sign, get the request for proposals.
- Participate in meetings and keep track of development progress. Be open to receiving feedback.
These are the essential steps you must take to ensure you choose the right custom software development company. Let's now get to the crucial things you should remember.
Things to Keep in Mind
Let's learn some essential things about selecting a custom software development firm. These are some of the crucial things that people forget. We have covered everything, so let's take a look at some of the essential things you need to pay attention to.
In-Depth Research is the Best!
Never make rash decisions about a company. Before you sign up for a partnership, make sure that you do thorough research. This includes everything from reviewing the company to understanding their proposal requests, reading reviews, and speaking with previous clients. When researching custom software development companies, ensure you do not leave any stone unturned.
Review your Work with Care
People may pay less attention to reviews companies get. It is essential to realize that reviews are a reflection of how the company deals with clients. It is necessary to hear what other clients have to say if you want to be one of their clients. You will also get a better idea of how they work, what kind of projects they have done in the past, and how dedicated they are to their work.
Analyze the Country's Policies if Outsourcing
Many companies prefer to outsource their software development offshore. In countries such as India, finding skilled workers at a lower price is much easier. Each country has its outsourcing policies. You should carefully review the government policies in your country regarding outsourcing if you plan to outsource.
Talk to Past and Current Clients
You can talk to clients to get an in-depth review. To get to know the client better, you can send an email. Many companies are open to sharing their experiences. Everyone loves to share a positive experience. They will quickly tell you if they have had a negative experience with the company. Ask them about their experience, project requirements, and engagement type. Also, what communication skills and methods did they use?
Analyze Communication Channels
When choosing a custom software company to develop your application, you should next analyze the communication channel. This is even more important when choosing offshore software development companies. It is essential to ensure that they can communicate with you and that you share at least one common language.
Conclusion
We attempted to answer most of your questions about selecting a custom software development company. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Cyber Infrastructure Inc. has been developing and delivering custom software for years. We have been able to meet every customer's custom requirements and exceed their expectations in terms of quality, collaboration, and support. We can develop enterprise software for large corporations and custom MVPs for startups. We are the solution provider for all of your technology needs.
We have the right development team to help you achieve your goals, from custom software development outsourcing to IT support and maintenance, marketing planning, pre/post-launch, and many others. We're agile and can deliver your custom software on time and within budget. To discuss your requirements for custom software, you can contact us anytime. We can help you brainstorm the best starting method based on your niche, audience, software size, platform/target, and other requirements.
