Last updated on May 8th, 2022
Software is eating the world, there’s no doubt about it. We can either try to ignore technological progress, stick to our old ways and miss the boat or embrace it, change the status quo and make the most of it.
More and more companies decide to go for the second option and use software to their advantage. The only problem is that some of them lack the necessary competencies to accomplish the goal.
That’s when outsourcing IT work enters the picture.
This solution seems perfect on paper, but it’s not entirely risk-free. A recipe for success is to select the right tech partner or software development company, which might be a tall order.
Why is it so hard to find a reliable IT partner to build a mobile app or web? What to consider before making the final decision? Let me guide you through the process!
Why have I decided to write this post? Well, the inspiration came from a recent IT conference I participated in — an event organized by SIBB, the Association of ICT & Digital Business Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg to help German companies find a proper tech partner. As a representative of Evojam, I was invited to share our knowledge and experience related to the process of vetting a software vendor.
We realize that finding an effective software development company can overwhelm many business owners. That’s why, at the SIIB meetup, we guided the event attendees through the process of vetting a software vendor. It might require considerable effort, but — if done properly — it will result in a fruitful, long-term business relationship.
The whole process of finding a custom software development company for your project can be overwhelming — just like picking the best product at a crowded fruit and vegetable market.
How do you even start? Search Google? What keywords should you use? "Best software development companies," "mobile app development," “web application development," "blockchain development," "software agency," “custom software"? The options are endless.
Some of them could work, but then what? There are so many websites in your search results, all of them claiming that the presented team is the crème de la crème of software developers.
So, how do you choose the right development partner?
Finding the Right Software Development Company — Why is it so Hard?
The software development business requires remote communication and cooperation, which lies at the root of the problem. Remote work, time differences between time zones, a curse of knowledge, challenges in defining scope — these are only some of the reasons why there are so many horror stories about developing software, not only with an external vendor.
Also, there's more than one type of software development firm, so remember to make an informed choice. Basically, you can categorize them by the nature of the projects they focus on. You can come across software vendors specializing in:
MVPs (Minimum Viable Product) for startups — or so-called "quick and dirty" — releasing a product to the market as quickly as possible so it can be tested on target users. This approach makes sense mostly for early-stage startups as the idea validation process is critical to their success.
Body or team leasing — providing the client with the specific developer or development team in the form of external hires that support the staff. The tech partner acts here as a remote programming squad for special tasks.
Scalable apps — developing an upgraded and more mature version of an app once the client has already built the MVP or knows exactly what’s needed on the market.
Industry-specific solutions — for example, for e-commerce companies.
And the list goes on!
Narrow the list of potential partners down by selecting software development companies that meet your project requirements and specialize in the kind of product you'd like to build.
Although it's a good start, you might find it challenging. Picking a tech partner that fits the profile of your company with no past experience is a difficult task.
Software Development Company — How to Find a Perfect Match
So, to find a perfect match...
Wait, not so fast! Let’s start with a general overview.
Finding a solid software development firm doesn't differ much from choosing any other service provider. When hiring a construction company to build your house, surprisingly or not, you need to examine the similar aspects of the construction team as you would in the software development team. The fact that it’s the tech industry doesn’t automatically make the vendor-vetting process rocket science.
Picture this: you've just found a potential candidate for your software development partner. Maybe it's a company recommended by your friends. Or you met the owner at a tech conference. Perhaps you just came across them while browsing the internet.
Right now, you probably have a lot of questions and doubts. What should you do at this stage?
Take the following three factors into careful consideration. And I'm deadly serious, it's a must.
People
It's cool, I get it — you want to create a great piece of technology — but to do so, you need to deal with people first. Believe me or not, but the last time I checked, all of our clients were... people. Even in the era of bots, all of our employees are people. It’s a people business based on relations and trust like any other service business.
Hence, I suggest that you schedule a video call with the founders, project manager and/or main technical person and just talk to them. Try to get answers to all your questions. And, what's even more important, check if you feel the chemistry between you and the software company.
We all prefer to work with people we actually like.
Projects and Technology
You probably don’t want a software development company to use your project as the first learning opportunity. Good education costs, so you want an experienced and high-quality team. Don’t hesitate to verify if the company has already done a similar project. Anything with the same level of complexity, integrations, architecture, and maybe even the same industry.
You should also investigate if the company uses the same technology you want to use in your project. Try to get as much technical information as you can. Maybe you can even get access to the repository to check the code quality.
References from Previous Clients
I will share a secret with you — the software business is heavily based on referrals. A happy client can bring other clients, who already trust you because of the recommendation. That’s why referrals are so valuable for every software company.
I recommend asking the vendor for clients’ references. Schedule some calls with them or send them a list of questions you'd like to get answers to. I’d start with these two:
What challenges or problems did you have with the software development company?
How did the vendor solve them?
You need this kind of information because you may come across some obstacles in your project as well.
HAPPY HUNTING!
Whether it's building and launching an MVP, scalable app, or pre-defined application for a certain industry — or any other business goals you have — finding the right partner can be quite a complex task. However, it’s not impossible.
Now you know some great tips and tricks that you can use to hire the best software development company for your project. Get ready to take advantage of them and take the first step towards your business goals!
To wrap things up, here's the list of the most crucial points:
Do your research and choose an appropriate company profile for your project — they should have experience with a similar type of project and clients.
Talk to the people in the company and check if you feel they understand you.
Verify the technology they use and the project experience they have.
Talk to the other clients of the vendor and get the most from their experience.
These four steps will help you get started. If your budget and time allow it, consider doing a test project or workshop with the company of your choice before you trust them with the actual assignment.
If you want to know more about finding a good tech partner for your business or building your product with a remote team, we will be more than happy to talk with you.
