Most successful businesses in the world have their own app on the market. It helps them do business better, connect with their customer base, branch out and continue to develop. Since there is no magic business formula and every business is unique in its own way, to develop a solid app you need to hire a reliable custom software development company. This will allow for more flexibility, rather than going to the standard route, as these companies will tailor to your exact needs with their teams of highly trained professionals. Today, we’ve decided to present you with a couple of tips on how to successfully find and hire a reliable company. Let’s get started.
1. Understand What You Need
The first and arguably the most important part of the developing process is knowing what you actually need. Custom software allows you to have everything you need and leave out everything you don’t. This means, that in order to make the most out of it, you’ll need to know which functions you require and which ones you don’t.
At first glance, it seems like this is a given and everyone knows what they want right away, but that’s far from the truth. With so many options it’s easy to become overwhelmed and end up with a bad product because you didn’t have a clear plan and goal in mind.
2. Offshore Or Onshore Companies
After you’ve made a final decision and realized what you’re looking for – the next step would be to start looking for a company that is going to make your dreams and ideas into a reality. You have two choices – onshore or offshore. The main difference is, as you could assume, the location of the company. Depending on where you live, it could mean a significant difference in the budget. If your firm is based in a developed, first world country, a local (onshore) development agency could cost a lot more than the one based in other parts of the world. There are a few other things to consider other than the cost, however, so let’s move on…
3. Ask For Referrals
Regardless of whether you decide to work locally or internationally, one of the best ways to find a reliable service provider is to ask for referrals. If you know any of your fellow businessmen that have previously worked with some of these companies, you should inquire about their experiences. This is a great method to learn some nuances and details you might’ve never found out otherwise.
4. Do An Online Search
If you haven’t had any luck with referrals, our advice would be to move your search online. The internet is the source of so much information, however, you have to know where and what to look for. With so many sources online, it’s safe to say they’re not all trustworthy. Always try and limit your search to the trusted, non-biased sources. The vast majority of business owners turn to websites such as businesswire.com when they’re in need of software development companies.
5. Check Their Portfolio
As a business owner, you know how much a good portfolio is worth. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to do your research on them and see who comes out on top. The first stop should always be the portfolio. A company’s history speaks volumes. If they have many successful projects under their belt, it’s safe to say that if you decide to hire them – you’ll be in good hands. Another advantage of reviewing portfolios is that it gives you the ability to reach out and contact anyone who has previously worked with the company you’re interested in. That way, you’ll be able to gain even more information and once it’s time to make a final decision you should be nothing short of certain.
6. Don’t Think With Your Wallet
Our natural instinct is to go with the cheapest option we’re presented with – especially when it comes to business. However, as an experienced businessman, you know that’s not the right way to operate. Comparing offers is not simply comparing the price tags. Going the less-expensive route means assuming risks. If you stumble upon an offer that’s ‘too good to be true’, you can be certain that it is, in fact, too good to be true. Very affordable companies usually don’t deliver quality results, so, keep that in mind.
7. Ask About Technology
Do a little bit of research on IT technologies before you enter negotiations. That way, you’ll learn a thing or two about different languages or approaches, just so you have a better understanding of what works best for you. Also, it can be quite confusing to talk about stuff you don’t know anything about. After you’ve learned a few things – ask the prospects what they’re working with and how it all ties into your project and vision. If you’re satisfied with what you’ve heard – you’re getting close to sealing the deal.
8. Ask About The Team
One of the best ways to get a good idea as to what you might expect in the end is to ask about the team that would be assigned to your project. Why is that important you may wonder? First of all, you’d want to know how experienced the team is. How many projects have they worked on together? Are there any new members? Are they communicating well? A team has to be a unit, not a group of individuals. If they’re working like a well-oiled machine, you can start prepping the paperwork.
9. Ask About Data Security
The final thing you should discuss with the development company is security. Potentially, you’d be handing over some sensitive data and keeping that data security should be the company’s number one priority. Ask about what kind of encryption algorithm they’re using, how reliable their security measures are and more. If you’re satisfied with what you’ve heard – you’ve found the perfect match.
As you can see, with a well-devised plan – nothing is hard. Once you know what you need and what you’re looking for in a company, figuring out which one is the right fit should be a walk in the park. We can only hope that our tips will prove out to be useful whenever you’re in need of a custom software development company.
