Whether you’re a custom software development company or an individual custom software development provider, there’s always some scope of improvement and ways to amp up your software development game.
With 2021 kicking off with some of the top technological trends foraying into the technology world, you also need to be at the top of your software development services. There’s no limit to the technologies that you can add to your portfolio, the variety of projects that you can work on, and clients looking out for custom software. But some expert advice and tips can help you succeed at what you’re currently doing or thinking of pursuing this year.
So let’s get straight to some of the many expert thoughts you can give a try, to be successful at custom software development. Eventually, reduce software project risks at all aspects of the development life cycle.
Note: Whether you’re working with a team or single-handedly managing everything, these tips apply to both except for a few that stand high for team-oriented development.
1. Keep yourself updated with the new technologies
With 2020 being hard for many people and businesses, it has also been a boon to many. Did you know that the cloud services industry experienced a 17% growth in 2020, taking its market value to a total of $266.4 billion in 2020 from $227.8 billion in 2019? The numbers are a clear reflection of what should be your target this year and, it’s not just about cloud services!
It’s about researching your market and looking out for the latest technologies that are being worked upon. Like native apps will surely be a thing this year as more and more businesses are eager to get both iOS and Android apps developed in a way that makes the app scalable and manageable.
So get your hands on the latest trend and also which is to become a trend in future years.
2. Don’t forget to keep a keen eye on the bottom line
Being good at developing custom software doesn’t ensure great success. You have to have both great projects and a huge profit margin when delivering those projects.
So always look out for cost-effective options both as an individual and as a software development company.
Keeping a tab on your expenses helps you know what projects will be profitable, and what each aspect of the development life cycle will demand in terms of finances. Like, if you want to increase sales, you’ll be clear how much you can invest in the sales team. Or perhaps, if you’re an individual, then you can keep a tab on how much you need to promote yourself digitally on paid platforms!
This also helps you know where you can cut in expenses to compensate for something else.
3. Build a wide-reach business development network and also partnerships
You might be having onshore, nearshore, or offshore clients and partners. And being connected with them closely at all times is really crucial to your business. Also, the company will not trust you until you have delivered them at least one project of their needs and expectations. Build a network of partners (of both individuals and companies) that can help you handle things better remotely. Start focusing on small projects if it’s your first time, and then climb the ladder gradually to get that big-ticket client and project eventually!
4. Don’t keep discussions cluttered or hanging with the client(s)
Most often it happens that there’s either a communication gap or unclear requirements between the service provider and the client(s). So keep things clear, documented, extensively in detail, and also fully legal.
Being a custom software development provider, you need to be assured of the features you deliver, pricing and package, and deadlines to not experience chaos at any point in time.
5. Ensure code readability and maintainability
This is not only something that should be on your radar the very moment you crack a deal but also a general practice to be followed by you and/or your entire team of coders and developers.
The codebase should be readable by anyone who reads it in the future for any enhancements and should compose reusable classes, modules, and even packages for maintainability. Also, don’t forget to incorporate proper documentation and comments in the code. This helps other coders and developers working on it for better insights into the codebase. Maintain dedicated and updated requirements.txt, .gitignore, and .md files.
This will help you get more big-ticket projects as your existing clients would be assured of the quality that you offer.
6. Try to add something “extra” of your own
Yes, of course, you won’t always get projects and clients who’ll go the extra mile to ensure that you are occupied with the right information at the right time with proper coordination from requisite people from their team. But if you find any of those clients, then don’t shy away from giving them something extra in any form that you can.
Like you can give them a dashboard for their internal maintenance or some added automation activity that could ease their work. Help the client get some better insights on their workflow, operations, and entire development process that they can use later on.
7. Don’t shy from seeking references and digital reviews
The points that we have discussed until here have been majorly client-oriented as the client(s) determines the success of your services.
But as you’re someone who’ll help them reduce software project risks and develop their custom software, don’t shy away from seeking references of other clients and online reviews on online platforms like Google, Clutch, et al to enhance visibility and reach.
These seven pointers come from experience by some experts from technical fields, software development companies, and individual software developers. If you also want to be an expert and be successful in this field, try these, and see the difference. Expert thoughts always help you sail your ship in the right direction, in an ideal manner, and with the proper means!