There’s little doubt about the effect technology, computers, and the web has had on modern business, and with the ongoing digitization of firms, it’s now more important than ever for your company to integrate tech into your operations. 

Automation and increasing your use of software (particularly bespoke software tailored to your exact needs) could help you stay agile, increase efficiency and stay one step ahead of your competitors. However, outsourcing software development to a third party can end up a minefield of potential unseen problems if you don’t choose the right coding company for your project. 

Below are just a few questions you should ask any prospective software development firm before hiring them. 

Does the firm have experience with similar or related projects?

One of the easiest indicators to check whether a themaddev.com could do a good job with your proposed software is to check whether they’ve produced similar products in the past.  While it’s unlikely they’ll have made anything identical to your needs; there is often significant crossover in jobs that will give you a clear idea if they’re up to scratch. Note also – any self-respecting software firm should be more than happy to show you examples of previous work, so be wary of any that seem cagey.

Where do they place software security in terms of their priorities?

Cybercrime is a real and present danger facing firms today, with the revenue generated by online criminality forecast to top a whopping $6 trillion in 2021 – increasing to an even more worrying $10.5 trillion by 2025. Moreover, many industry experts now cite data as being the world’s most valuable commodity, so you must choose a firm that takes adequate precautions at every step through the production process and beyond. You should ask firms what steps they take to ensure code security during the programming stages and ongoing support. 

How much is my project going to cost, and how long is it going to take?

While scope creep is inevitable in most projects, a professional software development company should still nonetheless be open and forthcoming regarding their pricing and timescales for producing your job. As above, avoid firms that seem wooly or cagey in terms of the information they provide for both. 

You should also check how they charge for amendments or changes to the Scope of Work (SOW), i.e., are they or you expected to pay for changes or errors and, if the responsibility lies with you, how they will charge you (by the hour or fixed fee per amendment).

Can they provide references and testimonials from previous satisfied clients?

Word of mouth marketing and reputation is important for all firms, and the software development industry is no exception. A trusted, experienced firm should have no problem digging into a long list of references and comments extolling the virtues of their work. 

When my project is completed, what level of support will you provide?

Speak to any knowledgeable software developer, and they’ll confirm that application production isn’t just a finite, ‘onto the next one’ process. Rather software typically evolves over time. More importantly, inevitable problems or omissions crop up the longer software is used, so be sure to check what the firm’s policy is for maintaining their previous work and what levels of support they provide. Also, ensure you check their pricing policies remain the same for any additional requirements you might need.