How to Outsource Software Development Effectively
The importance of technology and digitisation in effectively any industry can’t be overstated enough – as hyperbolic as that might sound. The main reason for investing in a digital platform for most companies is simply that it broadens their potential customer-base substantially. The more customers a business can reach, the more potential revenue there is for them to make – a fairly simple premise.
Just jumping into developing something isn’t the best way to go about it though, especially not for companies that don’t specialise in IT themselves and who may not know where to start. This means you’ll need to track down experts who can help convert your idea into a concrete piece of software that’ll help your business grow. So, what should anyone look out for when they’re trying to track down a solid developer?
FIND THE RIGHT FIRM
Sounds simple, but in an industry as large as the software development space, it’s not as easy in execution. There are companies springing up like weeds trying to take advantage of the massive demand for development expertise, but not all of them are created equal. It’s important to scrutinise a company’s previous work, track record, and amount of experiencein the industry before beginning a formal relationship with them. Companies with a wealth of experience and a portfolio of happy clients is the kind you want to work with.
DETERMINE YOUR SOFTWARE’S IDEAL CAPABILITIES
Is your company a brick and mortar store that simply wants to expand into online sales? Then a digital store-front and an attractive website is what you need. Is your business more complex and you’re looking to handle customer data and also manage your own content on the back-end? Then you’re going to need something that will require a bit more thought. The best thing to do is make a list of fundamental questions about what you want your software to achieve, that way you’ve got a clear set of specifications to take to a potential developer.
CREATE CLEAR OUTPUT EXPECTATIONS
The most important thing to maintain an amicable and constructive relationship with your prospective developer is to be very clear about what you’re expecting them to do, and in what time-frame you expect them to manage it. The clearer you are about when you want things to be completed and what needs to be done by which date the easier it will be for both parties to avoid any conflict or disappointments. Having a realistic schedule for completion is essential to save yourself frustration and headaches.
FREQUENT AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION
From the start, it’s important to set up clear communication channels and habits with your developer so that they can keep you posted on their progress and any snags they run into. A developer will often need to check back with the client to ask about particular details related to the project, or to suggest better ways of completing certain tasks, and being available and accessible to have these conversations is crucial. Any time that a developer is waiting for a client to get back to them before they can go ahead is wasted time for both parties – so communicating often and clearly will accelerate the process for everyone involved.
ENQUIRE ABOUT MAINTENANCE
Getting software made is only one piece of the puzzle – keeping it in good condition and operating as needed is another key aspect to consider. The unfortunate reality of digital platforms and the speed that technology is developing at is that one needs to continually keep tabs on any deprecating systems on the negative side, but also improvements that can help make the platform better on the positive side. It’s important to broach this topic before software goes live, so that the maintenance expectations over the long-term are clear from the outset.
If you’ve been itching to get some software or a website developed but aren’t sure about who to contact, the team at My Online Presence has a wealth of experience in the industry and can give you the best advice on how to go forward. Get in touch with them and make your dream digital platform a reality!
