Market Research: Tips for Finding a Reliable Software House

Finding a reliable software house requires awareness of very specific factors. Great references are just tips of the iceberg! Read on the ultimate tips on finding a trustworthy tech partner.

You’re in the driver’s seat. As VP of Tech, CTO of Development Teams, or other relevant position, you’ll have been armed with business objectives.

This means searching for the most deserving software house on the market. That software house will determine your outcomes and realise your IT objectives from the ground up.

Challenges continue, and the most pressing is knowing what makes a capable and trustworthy software house? As with any industry, you look for the best and need to match with a partner who represents this.

The struggle is real, and as someone with many years in the Tech industry, I understand this process very well. 

Don’t worry: you’re not the first nor last to experience such a problem. In this case, I’m pleased to take you through some golden tips on finding a reliable software house.

I’ve broken this subject into 3 easy steps:

Step One: Searching and Filtering

A reputed software house can help you move mountains – if that’s your prerogative. A ‘less-than’ software house may struggle to deliver. Should the latter take place, it will already be too late.

Before you embark on your search, I’d like to provide some distinction between the good and bad signs of software houses. For peace of mind, and heart, the principle of the matter is value. As a rule of thumb, value delivers continuously and consistently over the long-term.

Awareness of the qualities to look will help you lock down that perfect software development team and avoid the warning signs, which are otherwise as clear as day.

Here are some warning signs to look out for:

1. Technological Shortfalls

Bad code is the ultimate red flag. A substandard product and features ultimately point to a negative experience of working with the company. No prior testing of the product is just as well a tell-tale sign that things are just not up to standard.

The right product should require minimal or only routine maintenance. Deficient products often result in extra resources in the long term, as they are challenging to maintain. Missing documentation just as well lowers the company’s standing and casts doubt of the actual ownership of the product. This leads me to my next point…

2. Sourcing Code Ownership

Product licensing is significant. Missing it could result in a costly problem for you and your company. Make sure you can verify source code ownership, or you may end up responsible for picking up the bill yourself.

3. Bad Communication

It’s the foundation of all relationships, business and otherwise. Open lines of contact are my number one priority, and without it, I would be very doubtful on continued cooperation.

No communication translates to ‘lack of confidence’ and sets a shaky foundation for an agreement riddled with silences and slow performance. Any email communication should also prove an acceptable level of English, with proven understanding throughout discussions. In all, bad connection indicates a bad quality of work.

Step Two: The Discovery

Thankfully, there are many online platforms with listings and reviews on the internet not only in the technology industry. Knowing which ones are effective can lead you to a reliable and effective software house.

In my opinion, some are more effective than others, which is why I’m happy to show you the following:

1. Clutch

Clutchis a platform for B2B ratings for businesses providing a balanced and neutral approach. Clients and peers review IT companies listed here, using a simple 5-Star score. Costs, times, and company information all list here. Additionally, specific services feature, providing full transparency.

2. Wadline

Using a model alike to Clutch, Wadline is more specific to Software, Web Design, and Developers. The drawbacks are, that it severely limits most searches in-favour of U.S. developers, making it difficult to compare solutions from across the world.

3. Venture Pact

This hybrid project provides a platform for comparisons, in addition to project management. Balanced reviews enable contrasts, as well as allow collaborations with different companies. Milestone management also keeps things up-to-speed.

While Venture Pact offers a wide list of functions, this also appears to have a narrow selection of company listings – quality at the expense of quantity.

4. Digitalogy

The tech sourcing platform is a near mimic of Clutch and Wadline. How it differs is the presentation of information and how reviews appear. Unlike Clutch, which acts as a review platform, Digitalogy reviews are all unbalanced, and in favour of each listed firm.

Step Three: Verification

You’ll need to make sure of your selection. The following are the final factors you must consider when making your ultimate choice.

1. Discussion

Talking about your problems openly with your future software provider will help open lines of communication. Be clear about your issues, as the responses you receive may reveal the company itself.

2. Questions

Expect questions and follow-up questions. A competent company is a ‘naturally curious’ company. In IT-development outsourcing, the finer the details mean a more thorough project and outcome. Expect many questions about your customers, your business, as well as your objectives.

3. Checklist

There are, of course, tell-tale signs of a good company, a sort-of final list if you will. So, while many of these factors are measurable, many are also irrational, and ‘gut-feelings’:

Excellent track records are crucial to future business and are valid with a simple Google search. Some companies feature in journals and periodicals, such as the Financial Times, so it’s vital to research the company’s standing in the press.

Strategic partnerships, associations, and rankings in recognition programmes from consulting agencies, such as Deloitte, or PwC, are another way to confirm the strength of the company.

Verbal references from past, or current clients are your best bet for objective company reviews. However, if you’re hard-pressed to find information, you check Clutch for accurate references as well. You can also ask company representatives to connect you with one of their past or present clients for a call or reference.

A sign of the company’s ability to deliver is the ability to keep in contact. This means speaking your ‘project’s language’, as well as your own. Lines of communication must always remain clear.

Finding a Reliable Software House

Most important to note is a mutual understanding. You should be clear that your new software partner will understand your instructions and follow them to the highest quality. Using the platforms above and pieces of advice, confirming this is possible.

Finally, the prospective partner should be passionate and confident in their ability to deliver consistent long-term value. If they are, they’ll be sure to talk.

So, I wish you all the very best in your search. Consider these points. They can take you far.