How to compare software development companies to support on bespoke applications?

6 min readNov 30, 2020

When we face a custom situation, we adapt to it and end up optimizing our approach which eventually leads to better performance and results. Why? Simply because we are able to understand our specific needs, our areas of improvement, and our strengths by escaping from our comfort zone.

Same goes for any business.

In order for a business to grow, it needs to be exposed to different scenarios where optimization of various business process is achieved through meaningful integrations or upgrades.

In the modern world, the crux of this optimization is software.

Software’s have become quintessential for any business looking to harness its true potential. From a clothing brand to spices to the organizations working in the information and technology sector, having a bespoke software gives you an edge and makes all the difference between a good company and a great company. It may enhance the experience of your clients or optimize your existing processes. Either way, bespoke software is a logical approach to grow your business in the present time, and it add values compared to your competitors.

But just the decision to go for a bespoke software does not necessarily ensure that your business has commenced its journey towards greater heights. There is still one major barrier that most of us take very lightly, but it has a massive impact — choosing the right software development company.

Whether it’s:

an upgrade to existing software,
streamlining a process through a software,
digitalization of your business,
expanding your business,
or you are planning to start a business based on specific software,

getting the right software development company should be one of your highest priorities.

Why do you need to find the right software development company?

Unfortunately, finding a needle in a haystack is the perfect analogy to finding the right software development company. There is an influx of such companies in every part of the world because of the humongous demand of software development in the market.

If you end up choosing the wrong company for your software needs, you will not only waste your money, time, and effort, but your business will also suffer.

On the other hand, selecting the right software company does not mean your job is done.

The right software development company will introduce you to the required software standards and ensure that your bespoke software gives your business the maximum possible benefit, however it is necessary the client gets to be involved in the design, as bespoke software requires the business knowledge of the client to have a true bespoke solution adapted to the needs.

Considering the imperativeness of choosing the right software development company, it might become an overwhelming task. But, I have compiled a list of few points that can help you selecting the best software development company for your bespoke application.

One key consideration before we delve into these points is that every software development companies can cater to your requirements but there are some significant factors that decide which company is best suited for your business needs. So, let us have a look at the most important considerations when selecting the right software development company for your bespoke application:

1. Company portfolio

There is a reason why going through the company portfolio should be your first step.

The past projects completed by the company shows their competency and their skills in a particular domain.

It also depicts what kind of exposure or expertise does the company possess. A company with a number of good projects will essentially have the ability to face challenging situations in production.

2. Get into the technical

The technology stack of a company defines how easily and efficiently can the company accommodate your requirements. A company using an updated technology stack will be able to not only fulfill your requirement but also will help you unleash the powers of modern technologies which can take your business to new heights.

A main thing to consider here is the quality of their process (Code review, Unit tests, Continuous integration, Container, Quality Control, …). A good quality code will ensure that the software works seamless, the possibility of bugs is reduced significantly, and the future integrations or upgrades can be done smoothly.

3. Communicate

Before getting started, it is recommended to communicate with the company. Here, the communication is not restricted to just the company representatives but also includes the technical team.

If you are able to easily communicate with the technical team and they can understand your vision, you have found a perfect match. On the contrary, inefficient communication leads to delays and unexpected outcomes. If you are not able to communicate your exact requirements to the technical team, it will consume more time and effort.

4. Ownership concern

If you have an idea, it belongs to you. But it doesn’t mean that the ownership of the software based on that idea also belongs to you. Conflict regarding the ownership of the software has become quite common among company developing it and the company paying for it.

To avoid such conflicts, discuss the application ownership beforehand. You should include the ownership rights in the legal document that you will sign with the company. Also, make sure you enter into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before disclosing your unique idea to any other company. You probably would need to discuss with a few companies before you select one, so you don’t want other companies to implement your idea after you have rejected them.

5. Location

The location is where it can make a huge operational difference, however the covid-19 crisis has put everyone ready to work remotely. Working from different places is not a main constraint anymore. Companies are now more than ever ready to have their digital production out of their boarders.

Choosing the right location can make a huge difference in the cost and second, a location where there is a huge number of specialists can deliver a superior quality of software beyond your imagination.

You can consider the following three models for software outsourcing:

Onshoring — Selecting a software development company within the same country
Nearshoring — Selecting a company based in a nearby country that you share a border with
Offshoring — Outsourcing your software development to a company located in another country

Conclusion

The points mentioned above are significant considerations, but they are definitely not enough to ensure that your bespoke software opens new doors for your business.

Other factors that should be considered include the safety protocols followed by the company, the after-development support they provide, the security standards used by the developers, and much more.

What the aforementioned points provide is a basic structure of checkboxes. If a company checks all these boxes, it goes into your shortlist where you should dig a little more and ensure that it is perfect for your organization.

You can also consider referrals or recommendations from your network so that most of these boxes are already checked as a recommended company will have credibility.