Nowadays, software development is, for the most part, an outsourced activity. While some U.S. companies still give an advantage to local firms, businesses generally don’t have any problem cooperating with foreign entities.
Besides that, most clients look for customized solutions when hiring developers. Software development companies like Entrance have made a name for themselves with tailor-made solutions that would fulfill all clients’ needs.
Despite so much flexibility and enormous offers, choosing the right software company is still tricky. Most clients have limited information about a provider before signing an agreement, so getting burned isn’t uncommon. To help you avoid potential regrets, we’ve made a list of all the things you need to check before starting a business relationship!
1. Check expertise
Like in any other industry, track record matters when hiring a software provider. Ideally, you should be looking for developers who have made similar solutions to what you’re looking for. That way, you can be certain that the company will deliver a great product in a short time.
We suggest that you check the providers’ whole portfolio before engaging them. Check the online scores and feedback for each tool. If some of the software is free, you can also take them for a test drive. Another good option is contacting previous clients or even reading online testimonials (although these can be faked).
2. Consider tech stack
The general rule of software development is the smaller the tech stack, the better. Some companies like to boast they’re using several programming languages, but when they start working, the results are usually underwhelming. So, it’s much better to go with a provider that uses just a few platforms and can deliver proven results.
3. Assess daily procedures
In many cases, the quality of software hinges on providers’ daily routines. Good businesses usually have well-formulated and streamlined procedures that would guide them during different situations. Among others, when a company has a great workflow, they can easily explain what to expect during the development and when they’ll deliver results.
Top-tier software development companies also put emphasis on communication. Having a meeting with a client is a standard weekly or bi-weekly procedure during which developers can share their progress. Not only do these meetings keep clients in the loop, but they also serve to motivate the development team.
4. Consider the size
Most people don’t know this, but the size of a company does matter. In an ideal world, clients and providers would have a similar number of employees and would have similar business experience.
When a provider is much bigger than the client company, there’s a tendency for developers to put the client on the backburner. On the other hand, if a service provider is too small, there’s a chance they won’t be able to keep up with your pace.
5. Focus on fast deployment
A good provider is usually eager to finish springs as soon as possible and to show periodic results. Furthermore, reputable developers often come with a product demo after each sprint. Given such a fast pace, employees will be more goal-driven and won’t waste too much time on unnecessary steps.
While the fast development might put pressure on teams and might even lead to errors, it’s the best way to do business. In the end, it’s also in the software provider’s best interest to finish projects as soon as possible.
6. Hire industry-savvy companies
As previously mentioned, it’s always good to hire providers who have worked with similar companies like yours. In the best-case scenario, the managers should have a keen understanding of challenges and opportunities within the field. That way, they can create solutions that would fill these gaps.
Industry proficiency also works well for speed and product quality. Developers will understand what’s needed from them and what kind of impact the platform is supposed to have.
7. Think of language and location
Most clients think that developers need to speak English so they can relay instructions. However, there’s much more value to high English proficiency. Developers need to serve as consultants during the projects and explain why something should and shouldn’t be done. Basically, good communication is paramount for quality products.
It’s also much better to hire companies that are culturally closer to you. While this might not be as big a factor in 2023 as it was back in the day, it can still make the project smoother.
8. Protect your rights
Lastly, it’s vital that you hire developers who will give you full rights over the software. The last thing you need is to spend money on a foreign firm only to realize that you can’t access the platform. That being said, the company should be willing to sign several contracts along the way.
First off, you should have full data and server access to track parts of the project. A non-disclosure agreement is also commonplace as it would safeguard confidential information. Similarly, non-compete agreements would prevent developers from using this knowledge to help their competitors.
Red flags you need to consider
Sometimes, it’s not about the things that a company does well but about things they do poorly. While it’s relatively hard to pick the right partner out of a dozen, you can quickly eliminate developers who are potentially dangerous to your brand. These are the main indications that a brand is a poor choice:
- Stay away from providers who are too cheap. This is usually a sign they don’t have other, better clients or that they’re simply bad at their job
- Good companies should have publicly disclosed portfolios and testimonials. In the end, if they don’t want to brag about their past achievements, there’s probably something wrong with their process or behavior
- You can also quickly eliminate providers that have bad English
- Poor quality sites or unfinished social profiles are another cause for concern
Basically, you should pay attention to similar things as you would with all other companies. Look for brands that have polished presentations and that offer competitive prices (but not low prices).
