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Software development is big business in the IT landscape. Software and hardware are constantly evolving as the IT world makes continuous progress. This means it’s essential to have a good software development partner who understands the complexities of your business operations onboard to maintain your software systems.
The challenge here is how to identify a reliable software development partner. With such a diverse range of software development agencies available, it is difficult to know which one to hire. In this article we will explore the different factors you will need to consider when hiring a software development partner. We’ll explore factors such as researching potential development partners, assessing communication and collaboration skills and much more to find the best partner for your business.
Continue reading to find out more.
Understanding Why You Should Look for a Software Development Partner
Unless you already have an existing in-house software development team or expert knowledge of development yourself, you’re going to need to hire a partner. This will give you access to all the development resources required for your project, while allowing you to remain focused on running your business.
The right software development partner will handle everything from outlining a thorough project specification to the final deployment of your application. On top of this, putting your project in the hands of experts will ultimately lead to high-quality deliverables with a greater potential for ROI in the long run. Professional third-party teams also offer post-release support options, even after development is complete, meaning you can rest assured that your software is well-maintained – without having to dedicate ongoing labor resources.
How to Find a Software Development Partner
Finding the right software development partner isn’t as easy as a simple Google search – sure, it’s an effortless way to discover developers, but how do you know who to choose? Below, we’ve outlined the proper steps to take when hiring a software development partner, so you can confidently make a well informed decision.
Researching Potential Partners
The first step is to curate a list of potential development partners. This can be done by searching specific and relevant terms on search engines, such as “fintech software developers near me,” or exploring consumer review sites like Clutch.co. Alternatively, you could even post a job listing on freelancing sites like Upwork, where many agencies are active.
It’s important to remember that, at this stage, you’re not choosing the best developer but merely building a list of developers who operate in your industry and have a portfolio of solid work. This will ease the final decision process later down the road.
Evaluating Technical Expertise and Experience
Once you’ve found a potential development partner through your thorough research, you should then evaluate their technical expertise and experience. Generally, software development agencies will list their expertise on their website, along with client testimonials and project portfolio pages to verify their credentials. If this information is missing from a development team’s website, it’s probably best to give them a miss or reach out via email for additional details.
You should also look out for a clearly defined development procedure that outlines how they develop software. This procedure will give you an insight into their expertise and development practices, such as whether they take an agile approach and where your input is needed throughout the process. If an agency fails to display a development procedure or produce one upon request, it’s likely that they are inexperienced.
Assessing Communication and Collaboration Skills
Excellent communication is key to exceptional development. This is because, in order to unlock the benefits of custom software, your development team must accurately understand your needs and be available to listen to your concerns at a time that suits you. As a result, it’s vital to assess your prospective development team’s communication and collaboration skills. A good place to start is by gauging how quickly they respond to your initial inquiries and determining if they have options to schedule a live call instead of just email. Knowing how to manage a remote software development team effectively can help you in this scenario a lot.
If the development team is difficult to get into contact with at the beginning, it’s only a sign of things to come. The team should be reachable by, at least, email and phone, if not through social media, too. Checking client reviews on Clutch.co is an easy way to identify quality communication, as it’s part of their rating process. Essentially, without quality communication, quality collaboration is not possible.
Reviewing Portfolios and Case Studies
One of the first things you will have probably thought to do is review your prospective development partner’s portfolio and case studies for insight into the type of projects they’re used to working on. When doing so, you might discover that the development team is not well-versed in your industry, giving you cause for concern.
However, a lack of relevant portfolio items doesn’t necessarily signal inexperience. This means it’s imperative to review a number of their previous projects to identify if the team has the technical capacity to handle your project, and then determine if they have the relevant skills to adequately deliver your project. Many development teams will also list case studies that clearly outline why, how, and with what technology they built an application.
Checking References and Testimonials
While reviewing their portfolio provides insight into the development agency’s project history, checking client testimonials and online reviews helps you understand their customer service quality. As mentioned earlier, Clutch.co is a great place to find verified client testimonials; you can also check out your development partner’s Google business profile.
Considering the Cost and Value Proposition
It’s no secret that hiring a software development partner can incur a high initial cost. However, with high ROI prospects, this initial investment is worth every penny – that is, if you hire the right team. With expertly developed software, you’re afforded higher user retention rates and engagement thanks to the quality of the software you provide. Additionally, if you’re not building a user-focused application, but software for internal use, you’re likely to also save on daily operational costs due to increased efficiency.
To determine whether working with a development vendor is cost-effective, you’ll need to evaluate all the above considerations we’ve discussed. You should then speak with the development team about your budget and cost expectations to identify what level of product they can deliver. Generally, development partners offer minimum viable product (MVP) options to keep costs affordable, while delivering functioning products.
Ensuring Legal and Compliance Aspects
The legal aspect of hiring a development partner or an extended software development team, may not rear its head until it’s actually time to hire a team. As you and your development partner work out a contract, it’s essential that you make it clear you’re the owner of the final deliverables and ensure that any agreements are straightforward and fair. For example, contracts with ambiguous wording and vague agreements regarding IP ownership should be avoided or revised.
It’s also advisable to work with an onshore company, so legal procedures are properly followed, along with local regulations and standards. However, if you have good reason to trust a nearshore or offshore development company, you can use your best judgment to decide whether or not to work with them.
Making the Final Decision
After reviewing the considerations discussed on this list, you should be well poised to make a final decision on your software development partner. Still, here is a summary of the major red flags to watch out for:
- No Client Reviews: If a software development agency has no client reviews, it means that they are inexperienced, at least in terms of dealing with customers. Of course, if you’re given a good deal, working with new developers is an option, but for long-term quality, you should work with a company that has a proven track record.
- No Development Process: If a software development company fails to list its development process on its website, this is a sign of inexperience and a lack of transparency. Generally, if you reach out to these developers, they will happily outline their process. However, if they are unable to do so, proceed with caution.
- Offshore Teams: Though some offshore teams offer affordable services, the quality and reliability of these can be inconsistent. As a result, it’s best to work with a team that’s able to work to the same legal framework as your business.
- Communication Issues: You need a development team capable of consistent and clear communication. If the development team fails to provide regular, clear communication, then your final software may not be what you expect.
While there’s no such thing as a perfect company, if the development team you’re considering is free from the above red flags, then they’re probably a safe bet.
Building a Long-Term Partnership
Once you’ve found a software development partner you’re happy with and your software has been delivered, you should consider cultivating a long-term partnership. This starts by agreeing upon a post-release support plan with your development team, ensuring the long-term maintenance of your software. You should then strive to keep in touch with the development team while they provide post-release support services to maintain your relationship.
Later, when you want to add new features to your software or build a new version, there’s no need to look for a new team, as you have an existing relationship with your original developers. This benefits both you and them – they get repeat business, while you get the convenience and familiarity of working with a team you already know.
Why Choose Idea Maker as Your Software Development Partner
Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for in a reliable software development partner, it’s time to get to work evaluating potential agencies. Fortunately, you’ve already found your first company to consider.
At Idea Maker, we have a team of expert software developers dedicated to providing first-class software development and outstanding customer service. We also have a proven track record of success, with over 50 projects delivered to our satisfied clients to date. If you’re interested in working with us, schedule a free consultation today.
