Software applications today witness widespread user interaction from end-users. However, users do not have any time for bad software. With the growing impact that it has on customer satisfaction and brand recognition, your applications need to be absolutely top-notch. Having a lot options, choosing the right software development provider becomes a more complicated task than it seems.
Whether you’re in need of a complex big data system or an ecommerce application with many moving parts that transforms your enterprise digitally, or a simple wordpress website, the final results should further your brand’s voice, streamline your workflows and enhance end-user experience at the same time.
So, what factors do you need to keep in mind when deciding to work with a technology partner who will bring your blueprint to fruition, without deviating from your vision, specification, budget, or requirements?
- Past Work: Looking at a portfolio of work is always a good place to begin. If not limited by NDAs, the vendors should be able to provide you with samples of work, case studies and other information that they have performed.
- Past Clients: Assess the quality of clients the company has worked with. There is expected to be a marked difference in the quality offered by a company that deals with Fortune 500 Companies and Federal Governments compared to the services offered by one that deals largely with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, you should keep your budget and your own organization’s requirements in mind when making the final choice.
- Testimonials: Testimonials and feedback from past clients is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a custom application development company. This will give you much-needed insight into the team you’re going to work with — including their professionalism, their tendency to go the extra mile, support quality, and deadline adherence among other things.
- Compatibility: Working with even the best software development companies in the world can quickly turn into a nightmare if their allocated team isn’t compatible with your way of working. Make sure that the team you choose can adjust to the way you usually work, will mitigate causes of friction and delays. Compatibility is usually better when working with small to medium sized vendors than big corporations.
- Processes: Vendors who follow leading industry processes and standards, are more likely to finish the projects for you within budget than ones who don’t. Hence, it is very important to ask them about their processes, how they have helped previous clients, and how it will help your particular project.
- Shared Curiosity: It’s your project, so you’re expected to ask questions. However, an software development partner asking relevant questions, offering feedback and seeming curious in general is a good sign that you’re dealing with professionals who are genuinely interested in what you want to accomplish.
- Ideals and Work Ethic: If you are a high achiever, you can’t help but expect the same from folks you work with, and same applies to vendors. The development partner should have work ethics and ideals that mirror your own as closely as possible.
- Delivery Timelines: Even the best application developers might not be able to adhere to your delivery schedules and other delivery expectations. Hence, discuss the delivery timelines well in advance to make sure that you’re in agreement about exactly what will be delivered and when it needs to be delivered. This is where the vendor’s knowledge in the domain can help you adapt to more practical, but still reasonably aggressive timelines.
- Cost: This is the most important factor. Again, small to medium sized vendors tend to excel in providing the best bargain for your budget, still meeting all of the above factors.
- Support: Regardless of what size the vendor is, this is a big commitment. Having a very good idea about what type of support they provide after the project is done, is very important to the long-term success of your project.
