Choosing a Software Development Company: Top 5 Factors to Get Superb Software Solutions
Finding the perfect development company to get the best software solutions is a huge issue. This will directly affect the future success of your business. There are a number of painful ways in which the wrong choice in this matter can come back to haunt you later on.
Yet, not everyone gives this matter the time and attention that it deserves.
By taking the following 5 factors into account you can get the superb software solutions that you need every single time.
1. Accurate and Reliable Estimates
It is always great news when you get an estimate that meets your expectations. However, how can you be sure that the estimates you are given are accurate and reliable? Poor estimates are one of the main reasons why many new projects spiral out of control.
The truth is that this is one of the most troublesome matters for many businesses. If you aren’t a technical expert then you are going to want to find a software developer you can trust to give you an estimate that you can feel confident about.
While some variance may be unavoidable during the course of the work, you certainly don’t want to be left in a situation in which you have absolutely no idea how accurate the original estimate is. Therefore, you will want to find a development company that takes great pride in giving accurate estimates, with feedback from their previous clients that prove this point.
2. The Right Skills and Experience
Finding a developer that is skilled and experienced isn’t enough for you to go ahead with complete confidence. There are numerious points that need to be concidered. This is because what you really need to do is make sure that they have the right skills and experience for what you need done right now.
If they have a team with a wide range of technical skills then you will feel more confident that they can handle what you need done. Having said that, it makes sense to ensure that they have relevant and up to date experience of doing exactly what you need done.
By asking them how exactly they will go about the job you should get a feel for the relevance of their skills. When a developer can point to a previous successful project that closely matches yours then this is a fantastic sign.
3. Start with a Test Task
Entering a new relationship with a developer is a big moment and something that may make you slightly nervous due to the risk of getting it wrong. After all, if you end up with poor results then you could be paying the costs of it for years to come.
The consequences of having to fix bugs and other issues could cost you a fortune and see your reputation take a hit into the bargain. On the other hand, a smooth and effortless project will help you feel a lot happier about what the future holds.
Bearing this in mind, it makes sense to give the developer a test task to get started with. In this way, you can gauge their professionalism and ability to deliver on a smaller project before handing them the bigger piece of work that you have lined up.
4. The Methodologies That They Use
Of course, there are many different ways of getting the results that you need. Which is the best for you at this time will depend upon factors such as the time and money that you can spend on it, as well as the complexity of the project.
For instance, in many cases using the agile methodology will lead to a smooth and transparent process with fewer risks. Rather than trying to force your project into the methodology that the developer prefers, they should be able to clearly explain the benefits of their approach and why they choose it.
An experienced software developer who is comfortable with working to different methodologies will be able to make a sensible and informed decision on which methodology is perfect for your current needs.
5. How Well Does Their Professional Approach Match Yours?
All of us have our own ways of working, which means that you will feel better about working with some software developers than with others. For a start, do you like informal chats or formal meetings?
Would you prefer to meet face to face or do you like the idea of virtual meetings instead? Interestingly, surveys show that up to 98% of people feel that video conferences help them to build relationships, both with colleagues and with external firms.
In terms of what is delivered, do they offer the prospect of a fruitful long-term relationship or is it more likely to be just a one-off job they are after? Will they train your users on the new software and will they give you a point of contact for ongoing support?
There are numerous different ways of working together, so the right software developer for your approach is out there somewhere. Don’t settle for second best when you can get hold of a developer whose professional approach and attitude gives you exactly what you are looking for.
At Magic Web Solutions we take great pride in giving fit for purpose, superb software solutions that give powerful, long term benefits. In addition, our highly skilled developers are all more than capable of dealing directly with you, adding a tangible human touch that makes us a pleasure to work with on any sort of project.