We walk through the essential steps and considerations for selecting the right software development company for your needs.
Choosing the right software development company can be one of the most pivotal decisions in bringing your business ideas to life. Whether you're building a mobile app, developing an enterprise-level software solution, or creating a simple web app, the company you select will play a crucial role in determining the success of your project. The process can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available, but with the right approach, you can find a partner who aligns with your goals and brings the expertise to turn your vision into reality.
In this article, some of the experts at Appdrawn will walk through the essential steps and considerations for selecting the right software development company for your needs.
1. Define your project requirements clearly
Before you start evaluating software development companies, it’s critical to define your project’s scope, objectives, and requirements. A clear understanding of what you want to build will help you communicate effectively with potential development partners and ensure they have the right capabilities. Consider the following questions when defining your requirements:
- What kind of software are you developing - a mobile app, web application, enterprise software? A mobile app provides very specific functionality on a mobile device and/or direct marketing presence in app stores. Otherwise, you may well only need one or more web applications. Do you actually need a mobile app or do you just need a web application? Bear in mind that a mobile application typically needs at least one ‘backend’ web application to store or share information between different copies of a mobile application.
- Who is the target audience for the software? Be very specific - describe the persona of your target user.
- What features are essential for the first release, and what can be added in future iterations? However big your ambitions or budget, software is extremely complex. Starting off as simple as possible and then expanding from there is a recipe for technical and commercial success. It is very likely you will need to reassess and change your goals post-launch. Being too specific and ‘in depth’ up-front might hamper your ability to adjust your course as you get crucial post-launch data.
- What is your project’s timeline and budget? Has your budget allowed for non-development costs. We often use a rule of thumb that marketing will cost 2-3 times the development cost.
When you know what you want, it becomes much easier to evaluate whether a software development company can meet your specific needs. This also helps narrow down the field to companies with the right technical expertise.
2. Look for relevant expertise and experience
Not all software development companies have the same level of expertise and not all specialise in the same types of projects. Some may focus on web development, others on mobile apps, while some may specialise in enterprise-level solutions or niche industries.
When evaluating potential partners, look for a company with experience and expertise in the area that aligns with your needs. For example:
- If you’re building a mobile app, ensure the company has experience with iOS and Android development, along with knowledge of the latest app development frameworks.
- If you’re working on a complex enterprise solution, look for a company that specialises in scalable and secure back-end architecture.
- If you’re launching an e-commerce platform, find a company with experience in industry-specific issues such as inventory systems.
Ask potential companies for at least one example of their previous work or a case study. Ask about the process they followed, challenges they encountered, and how they overcame them. This will give you insights into their problem-solving abilities and how well they can adapt to your needs.
3. Check reviews and references
Client reviews and testimonials are one of the best ways to gauge the quality of a software development company. A great company will have a solid track record and will be happy to share customer references or case studies.
Check websites where independent reviews can be found. Sites such as Clutch, GoodFirms, or even LinkedIn give a sense of the company’s reputation. Keep an eye out for:
- Their technical expertise and ability to handle complex problems
- The quality of communication and responsiveness
- Their ability to meet deadlines and work within budget
- Post-launch support and maintenance
You can also ask the company to provide references to previous clients who have had similar projects. Speaking with past clients can provide a deeper understanding of the development process, challenges, and how the company handled them.
4. Assess technical competence and tools
The technology stack and tools used by the development company play a huge role in the success of your project. When discussing your project, ensure the company is comfortable with the technologies and tools required for your project. A company that keeps up with the latest trends and best practices in software development will ensure your software is built on a solid foundation.
Some things to look for include:
- Programming Languages: are they proficient in the programming languages and frameworks your project requires? If you don’t know what programming languages your project needs, don’t guess at this, ask for expert advice.
- Software Development Methodology: do they use Agile, Scrum, or another development methodology that aligns with your project’s needs? Again, if you don’t know what project management methodology you need, ask a professional. Be strategic, don’t just follow the latest trend.
- Quality Assurance and Testing: how do they ensure the software meets quality standards? Do they have automated testing tools in place?
- Security: is the company knowledgeable about cybersecurity best practices to ensure your software is secure?
- Post-Launch Support: will they offer ongoing support and maintenance after your software is launched?
Make sure that their expertise extends to the technologies that are most important for your project. If you're building a cloud-based solution, they should be familiar with platforms like AWS or Azure. If you need custom integrations, check if they have experience working with APIs or third-party services.
5. Evaluate communication and collaboration skills
The development process requires continuous collaboration between your team and the software development company. Clear, transparent communication is key to a successful partnership. During initial discussions, evaluate how well the company listens to your needs, asks relevant questions, and provides thoughtful feedback.
Good communication includes:
- Ability to explain complex technical concepts in layman's terms
- Regular project updates and reports
- Availability for meetings and progress discussions
- Responsiveness to queries and issues
It’s important to partner with a company that values communication and is willing to collaborate with you throughout the process. A company that is open to your input and works with you to make adjustments will ensure the project stays on track and aligns with your business goals.
6. Consider cultural fit
A software development project involves a lot of back-and-forth discussions, brainstorming sessions, and sometimes even disagreements. It’s essential that the company you work with shares a similar operating culture and values as your team.
A good cultural fit will ensure smoother collaboration, a shared understanding of expectations, and a stronger working relationship. You want a team that is flexible, adaptable, and willing to go the extra mile to deliver a high-quality product.
When interacting with the development team, consider:
- How easy are they to just ‘chat’ with?
- Do their values align with yours?
- Do they listen to your concerns?
A positive, collaborative culture can make the development process more enjoyable and efficient. It will also mean that your ideas are readily translated into reality.
7. Review pricing and budget
While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest option, the saying “you get what you pay for” holds as true in software development as any other industry. High-quality development requires skilled professionals, time, and resources, and cutting corners can lead to poor results.
However, pricing should be transparent, and you should have a clear understanding of how the company’s pricing model works. Common pricing models include:
- Fixed-price contracts: good for fully-defined projects with very detailed requirements.
- Time and materials: ideal for projects that may evolve over time and require flexibility.
- Dedicated teams: a longer-term commitment, often used for large-scale projects or ongoing support.
Things to check:
- If it’s a fixed price, what is actually in that fixed price?
- What principles will guide how follow-up work is paid for?
Make sure the pricing aligns with your budget while considering the level of expertise, time, and resources required to complete your project successfully.
8. Make sure you have your responsibilities covered
You will need to have sufficient resources to specify, answer detailed questions and test the software that is developed. This typically requires a team of at least 3 people for a project of any substantial size.
Not only that, but it requires that you have people with the correct skills. You will need:
- A project manager at your end to arrange the resources required and make sure that you can deliver your responsibilities within the agreed timeframe.
- A ‘product owner’ who can clearly articulate the entire scope of your development. They will need to be a subject matter expert and they will need to have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the client.
- A software tester. This is someone who has in-depth experience in testing how an app works in multiple different scenarios and then can automate the testing.
If you don’t have these resources in place, a reputable software company can help you get resourced.
Unless you have successfully delivered software before, you will be surprised how much detail is required and how much testing is required in order to be able to sign off a project. If you can’t sign it off, you can’t go live. Skip your responsibilities at your peril!
9. Think about your aesthetic and commercial aims
So many technology companies are very technical and miss the all important design details and even getting the overall image correct.
Sometimes the cultural fit is so misaligned that language and look just don’t work. Make sure you review real-world examples to check that the output quality is to your expectations. A good starting place is the website of a given software development company. Does it look original and contain fresh content or does it look shoddy and templated. What kind of app do you want?
It’s really easy to get lost in the technicalities or the product idea and forget that fundamentally you’ll need to realise a greater return than your investment.
A good company will be able to unpack the commercial narrative to the concept, with you.
Choosing the right software development company can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By clearly defining your project requirements, evaluating a company’s experience and technical competence, checking references, considering cultural fit and then making sure you have the personnel at your end, you can ensure a successful partnership that delivers a high-quality product.
Remember, the best company for your project will not only have the right technical skills but will also be a good fit for your business goals, timeline, and budget. Take the time to research and evaluate any firms you contact carefully, and you’ll set your project up for success.
Here at Appdrawn, we take pride in our customers reaching their goals. It’s much more important than ‘just doing a job’.