What Factors to Consider When Finding a Quality Software Developer?

Selecting a software developer for your business is not an easy decision to make. Whenever picking someone in such a specialist field, you need to ensure they have the necessary skills and expertise to do the job to a high standard. 

With a quality software developer onboard, your software products will be finished to a much higher standard. They’ll also help to streamline the development process, ensuring projects are completed on time. 

Due to how much a software developer will typically cost to hire, it makes it even more imperative you get the decision right from the start. 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the average annual pay for software developers in was $109,020.

With so much on the line – and so much up for grabs – there are various factors to consider when finding a quality software developer. Here are the main points to cover: 

In-house or outsource 

The first decision you need to make is whether to make an in-house hire or to outsource your software development needs. 

Each option has its pros and cons. If your software development needs are continual, it might be best to put together a permanent team for instance. Yet if you only require software to be developed now and again, outsourcing is your best bet. 

Of course, there are numerous other points to think about in the battle between hiring an employee and outsourcing. These points include your budget, resources, communication, and flexibility. 

The rest of this guide will focus on the factors to consider when finding a software development company – but a lot of the information remains applicable for an in-house hire. 

Also Read: How to Start a Software Development Business?

Understand what you require 

What are your business needs? Why do you require software development to help achieve your goals? These are the questions you must answer before your search for a software developer. 

Once you have a firm understanding about what you need, you can take the necessary steps to get the right software developer – and to ensure you hit your business objectives. 

Background and past projects

The first step of your research efforts should be focused on learning more about the software development company’s background. Ideally, you want to see a large collection of positive reviews from previous clients. 

However, it’s not only about the number of positive reviews received. It is also about the clients they have worked with in the past. Take ScrumLaunch (scrumlaunch.com) as an example.

Their past clients include major organizations such as CampusReel, Community Funded, and FullCourtAI. By showcasing positive relationships like these, it supplies an extra layer of confidence. 

It’s also recommended to not only take the word of the provider. You need to also use an independent review platform to learn more. In that regard, Clutch is one of the best choices available.

All reviews are approved for authenticity before publishing, and the platform also includes important business information so you can learn more about specific developers. 

Expertise in the right area 

Software development covers a wide array of different project types. It also comprises various languages, technology, and features. The result: it’s rare for an agency to possess specific expertise in every area of software development. 

With this in mind, you have to think about the type of project you want completing. You then want to select a developer that specializes in the field your project falls under. 

How do you see if they match up? Take a close look at their portfolio and see if they have previously worked on any projects similar to yours.

If your software needs are relatively common, this shouldn’t be difficult. If the project is more individualistic, however, the search might take a little longer. 

Also Read: Top Technology Stacks For Web Development

How much they charge 

When selecting a software development company, price will always be one of the main factors to consider. Just remember that, while you want to avoid spending too much, you shouldn’t focus solely on price. 

Cheaper prices can catch the eye, but there might be more than one catch involved. Your project could be added to a long line of other projects, and this could lead to significant delays for it to be completed.

There’s also a fair chance they are overselling their proficiency. In this situation, your project is likely to be underbaked and not reach the standards you desire. 

Software providers may offer a general guide about what they charge. However, you will have to get an estimation for your specific project. The good news is software development companies will typically offer these free of charge. 

If you have numerous companies in mind for your project, get an estimation from each one. You are then able to compare prices and see what company delivers the best combination of value and service – just make sure you are comparing like for like.