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Choosing the best software development company to transform your vision into a product that meets your requirements is a critical task. The sheer choice of companies offering custom software development can be overwhelming, each with their pros and cons. In this article, we will guide you through a process that will help you decide which company is the right match for you.
At this point, it is important that you have a clear idea about your goals, requirements, time frame and budget, as it will help you to sieve through lists of potential partners who match your criteria.
Note that the largest development companies have a generous pool of specialists with diverse skills to choose from. Typically, they work on variety of projects at the same time, meaning that multiple layers of management are required so your project might not get the same “ownership” and focus as it would if you engaged a medium-size development company.
1. Start by browsing ranking platforms and online directories.
Ranking platforms
Ranking platforms capture essential information about companies in a quick overview and provide further links and contact information. Compare company profiles, their ratings and read customer reviews. Check the lists of top-rated software development companies. This alone should give you a strong indication of companies’ performance and reliability. Be mindful of sponsor lists and stick to the original source. You can set filters such as location, rates, size, focus on specific industry etc. to help narrow down your search. Pick 3-5 companies which match your criteria for your project. Don’t rely on one source - look up the short-listed companies on other websites as ranking and reviews may differ.
Some of the most popular platforms include:
Google Search
Google is an efficient tool and can return quick results if you specify your requirements. You can type additional keywords into the search field like “the top software development companies 2022” for the target areas, or “near me” for more local companies, or anything that can filter out information that you need.
Searching on LinkedIn and other networking sites
This allows you to get more holistic picture about software development companies. Published posts will disclose their communication style and what topics and projects they focus on and give you a glance into the company’s culture and dynamics - for example, whether the company practices CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
Word of mouth
Word of mouth is an invaluable tool. Satisfied customers are the best reference. Have you heard positive statements about a particular software development company? Check their portfolio and approach them.
2. Conduct careful research
Once you have selected a few companies, get them know through their own website. Check their past and current projects, their clients and partners, technologies they use, their field of expertise, years of experience, what development methodology they use, and of course, their testimonials.
3. Read case studies
If possible, read case studies in the relevant field of technology. Some companies showcase successful projects on their website backed up by stats and details on how their digital solution helped business to overcome challenges and support their growth. However, publishing case studies might also be restricted due to NDA agreement with clients, so the available case studies may not show the whole picture. Read Rare Crew’s case studies on our blog.
4. Note geographical location and time zones
If you look for a software company in your country (US, UK, Israel, Switzerland, Denmark, etc.) you might end up paying a higher price for your product. Take advantage of globalization and use experienced, reputable software development companies who can realize your vision at a competitive price. Decide beforehand what time zones are you comfortable working with.
Rare Crew operates in the UK, the US, Slovakia, Serbia, India and Egypt, and has years of experience serving major customers across the globe.
5. Meet with the development teams
If you are not knowledgeable about the field, ask a tech expert to join you, and they will help you to choose the best contender. You will need assurance from the company that they have the competent resources to build what you want, no matter how complex your digital product is. For example, building a private blockchain or a real-time analytics system requires a great deal of experience and diversity of skills.
Pay attention to the communication style. You should have a feeling of trust, openness and professionalism. Make sure that your goals, requirements and expectations are mutually understood, and you are on the same page. Have the team explain to you how the project will be managed.
Additionally, ask detailed questions about cyber-security measures, and how your intellectual asset will be protected. Find out about the level of testing, maintenance and back-up services.
6. Evaluate the results
Weigh up all pros and cons and compare. Consider all aspects of the software development, don’t focus merely on the technical part. Transparency, project management, quality assurance, customer service, and the geographical aspect will all play a role in your project’s development journey.
Where next?
Most of the software companies who have established themselves on the market will have a successful history of projects and happy customers. If you are still unsure which company to choose, try to tune into the subtle differences that tell them apart; be it the team spirit, the way they talked to you, or think about your first impression.
Rare Crew’s experienced and highly skilled teams build custom software, mobile applications, and provide services in Business Intelligence & Analytics, UI/UX/Analytics, and software testing. Learn more about who we are and what we do or get in touch if you have any questions.
