How to choose the right software provider

Outsourcing software development is a huge decision and it can be a real challenge to find the right one when you find yourself faced with hundreds of choices.  We have put together this guide to help you find the right choice for your business:

1. Look for Experience

More specifically, you should look at the level of experience a developer has in your specific industry.  If they are going to be able to provide a good service their experience may be relevant.  The demand for good software developers has exploded and with it the number of developers.  Finding the right one to meet your needs is more challenging than ever before.

Although the budget is always a factor for most businesses, low cost is often reflected in the quality of the developer so it is always better to look at what each developer can provide and how this fits in with your business needs before making a financial decision.

There is always a risk that someone may over-represent their experience in a given industry sector so doing some background research is essential.  Look at the type of staff they employ rather than the longevity of the company as, ultimately, it will be the skill of the staff that will make the most difference in their experience and how they will meet your requirements.

2. Expertise

The company or individual you employ must have specific experience in the technology you are wanting to use.  How much experience do they have in this?  Have they used it before?  Working knowledge of the technology is vital if a developer is going to make a success of the project.  Make sure that you get to talk to the team before you make a final decision.  If you find that the company you are talking to is trying to prevent you from seeing the team they could be less experienced than they are saying they are.

3. Use a Project Manager

 To make the most of your resources, a project manager is something you need.  Many of the lower-cost services will not provide this and you will end up spending a lot of time having to manage the project yourself.  Modern providers are often located offshore and having a project manager can make coordinating across language or geographical barriers a lot less complicated.

4. Good communication is key

If you are working with developers based overseas communication can provide some challenges so be sure to make your expectations clear from the start.  A local project manager can help to ease communication, so look for a developer that offers this because it can make all the difference between a smooth completion of your project or constant frustration and delays.  It can be extremely stressful trying to communicate across time zones and a project manager will take all of this away, leaving you free to focus on your business.

5. Ability to Scale your Project 

A good developer realizes that a business may need to scale back occasionally to account for any ebb and flow.  Ideally, you need to find a developer that will be flexible according to your needs.

6. Own Your Code

Always be sure to read the contract to check who owns the code because some companies or developers will retain ownership themselves unless you pay an extra fee.  This is usually the case for lower-cost providers, so be sure to specifically check this to avoid any unexpected costs later on.

7. Approach fixed-price offers with caution

Fixed-price offers always look like a bargain but because of the nature of software development, they can end up costing more.  Many projects will require additional work that is not included in the original package and these are always charged for as extra, leading to increased project costs.  A good software developer will take account of this when deciding on a fee making you aware of any potential extra costs that may occur before you sign on the dotted line.

Aristek Systems company provides high-quality software development options.  If you would like more information please visit us at https://www.aristeksystems.com/.