3 Ways to Find the Right Software Development Partner for Your Startup

The UK is the home to over 122 Unicorn Startups. Since the time of the pandemic, around 2000 people have registered a startup in the UK every day. The growing trend of startups in the UK has also increased the demand for core IT services.

Whether for a website, a mobile app or for enterprise software, every startup needs to find a reliable and promising tech partner. Every kind of software has a lifespan. All software development life cycle phases need valid support.

However, finding the right company is often a hectic task. Always remember, that if you are a startup, you need to choose a reliable software development company for all your digital needs. It is because you will need their services in the long run.

As your startup grows, so will need to scale up the software solutions you are using. Therefore, choose your digital partner carefully! Here is a detailed guide on how to find the right team of software developers for your startup.

1. Keep it Easy with Google Research

The easiest way to find a company is to go with the Google Search. Google is the best source to finding almost anything next door. It is a common practice to check product reviews and demonstrations before buying any product

You can use Google also to find out a good software development company for your startup. Remember that if your startup is going to be based on a software application like Uber, Deliveroo etc., then you will need custom software development services. Here is a step-by-step approach to finding and picking the right one:

Steps to Pick a Software Development Partner With Google Research: 

1. Search  Relevant Terms on Google

What kind of software development services do you need for your startup? Software is an umbrella term under which all kinds of intangible digital solutions come. The term ‘software’ includes:

• Websites
• Web applications
• Mobile Apps
• ERP Software
• Business Process Automation Software
• Operating Systems (like iOS, Android, Windows etc.)

What’s your need? Well, you might be wondering why this blog is teaching us how to Google things. Oh, worry not! We have more to tell! 

Your specific needs require specific keywords to search on Google. If you wish to get services from a company based in a specific location, type the location name as well. Alternatively, you can use the near me feature. 

Also, if you wish to hire software developers from outside the UK, then Google is your best friend. So, search carefully for what you need. 

2. Analyse Different Websites 

Based on the search results, you will get different websites of varying companies. Did you know that Google shows multiple results for a ‘searched term’? However, most of us check only the top 5-10 results.

Well, this practice is not good! If a company is ranking on the top search results of Google, it does not mean that it is the best. High Google Ranking results from robust SEO practices. Google ranking has no direct relation with the quality of work. 

Therefore, visit multiple search engine result pages and check as many options as possible! The top rankers are often investing high in their digital marketing and SEO practices. Eventually, they may also make you pay through the nose!

3. Connect and Share Your Project 

After making a list of at least 7-12 companies, you must connect with each of them. Engage in meaningful conversations with the team and try to figure out their knowledge, skills, expertise, and professionalism. 

Share your project requirements with them and ask for price quotations, work samples, the number of resources they can provide, and the timeline of the project. Collect these pieces of information from each company on your list and compare them well. A thorough comparison will help you choose the most budget and time-friendly software development partner. 

To make your research journey easier, we have already prepared the latest list of the top 10 mobile app development companies in London. Check out now and start making connections!

4. Check Case Studies & Portfolio

Actions speak louder than words! So, only a meaningful discussion with the company does not guarantee success. Do not go on words, but also check for the company’s actions. Verify the company’s work with its case studies and portfolio pages. 

If you are choosing at least a 5-year-old company, they must have delivered at least 8-10 software projects so far. Companies always maintain a detailed portfolio of their work on their website. Visit their portfolio or case study pages and check their work. 

Check the official websites of these clients. Analyse whether the quality of the website is as per your expectations. Also, if the company has developed a mobile app, download it and use it for an hour. 

If the product is speedy, simple to use, engaging and alluring, then you can choose the company without a doubt. Alternatively, you can directly call the client and enquire about the professionalism of the development company. 

5. Compare Top Choices & Make a Decision

Now, when you have completed all the above steps for the enlisted companies, compare the options you have. Remember, that you must Not choose the:

• A company that offers the lowest price
• Or a company that promises fast delivery
• A company with the fanciest portfolio either

But, a company that aligns with your budget, timeline and requirements. As a startup, your focus must be either on MVP development or on bespoke software development. So, figure out which company offers the most bespoke products. 

Pros and Cons of Finding a Software Development Partner with Google Search: 

Pros: 

• Opportunity for robust research
• Make multiple business connections
• Sharing project requirements with different companies invites more feedback
• More feedback improves your project
• Find national or international businesses, hire from anywhere

Cons:

• Hard work
• Time-consuming
• Maybe confusing sometimes
• Unguided/unverified businesses will also show in the results
• High-ranking websites do not imply high-quality of work

1. Explore Review Platforms 

If you find Google search a hectic job, then no worries! You can find verified companies on review platforms like Clutch, Crunchcbase, and Design Rush. These platforms save you from extensive Google searches.

How Do the Review Platforms Work?

Platforms like Clutch, Design Rush Goodfirms, and Crunchbase have verified business profiles. Here companies create their business profiles and invite their client to provide ratings and reviews to them. 

On such comprehensive platforms, you can simultaneously compare different companies like you compare products on the E-Commerce platform. Review platforms provide a more organised and summarised view of different options for you. 

You can compare the ratings and reviews of different software development companies here and make comparison easier. With these platforms, you cut almost 90% of the hard work in your research. 

Pros and Cons of Using Review Platforms: 

Pros 

• Smart work over hard work
• Only verified company profiles
• No Google Ads or SEO-driven results
• Only real customer reviews and ratings
• Search location-wise, hire on-shore, off-shore, on-site or remote teams

Cons

• Not all businesses are listed on these platforms.
• So, you may miss some local companies at nearby locations.

1. Get in Action on the Hiring Platforms 

Next, if you wish to hire a software development partner in a more specific manner, then you can go with hiring platforms. Especially, if you wish to hire a freelance team in a lower budget, then a hiring platform can be the right option. 

Top Hiring Platforms for Software Engineers Include: 

LinkedIN 

You can look for freelance software developers on LinkedIN providing dedicated services. Alternatively, you can also find various software development companies and view their detailed profiles. 

On LinkedIn you can directly connect to the sales representatives and share your project requirements. LinkedIN is a popular platform to make professional connections these days. 

On this platform, you get all the information about the entire company and its staff. You can verify the prior experience of the development team and check if the team aligns with your goal.

Freelancer and Upwork

Moreover, if you are specifically eye in hiring a freelance software development team, then choose Upwork and Freelancer platforms. 

Upwork and Freelancer are dedicated platforms that connect freelance professional service providers to service seekers. 

Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer collect up to 20% of the total project payment, 10% from the payer and 10% from the Payee. 

On these platforms, you can find the verified profiles of independent service providers and hold meetings with them. Hire national or international resources as per your requirements. 

Pros and Cons of Using Hiring Platforms

Pros 

• Simple user interface 
• Dedicated to hiring freelance staff
• No extensive research needed
• Directly connect with developers, no middlemen!
• Share project requirements straight to the developer
• Get faster delivery

Cons

• No after-sale support
• Less reliability, as the developer may or may not disclose contact information
• No NDA-assurance

Choosing the Right Hiring Model

In addition to choosing the right method of finding a reliable software development partner for your startup, you also need to figure out what mode of hiring to opt for. When searching for a company, you will have the following kind of options: 

Onsite 

If you hire on-site software developers, you will need to find out a company that ‘augments’ its staff. Staff augmentation is a hiring model in which a company sends or deploys its workers to its client’s job location. In case, you need more control over the project management, look for a company that provides staff augmentation. 

Remote 

The most common hiring method is ‘remote’ hiring. Here you will outsource your software development project to an IT company. The company will work on your project from its own location which may be anywhere in the world. Usually, businesses prefer to outsource the entire project and leave project management up to the development company for a tension-free experience. 

On-shore

Location-wise, you will have 3 types of options. Of which on-shore is the most popular. When you outsource your project to a company located in your own country, it becomes on-shore development. 

Off-shore 

When you hand over your project to a company outside your country, it becomes off-shore development. Often, due to expensive software development services, Brits prefer to outsource their projects to developing countries like India and China. 

Near-Shore

A type of off-shore development, a near-shore model of outsourcing software development is a method in which you will outsource your project to your neighbouring countries.

If you need more control over the project, then choose on-site software development. On the contrary, if you would like to have a hassle-free experience, then go with the other models. Furthermore, if you wish to learn software development outsourcing in more detail, we have a detailed blog on our website. 

On-Site Vs Remote Software Development 

Let us now compare on-site and remote software development options through their pros and cons: 

On-Site Software Development Pros: 

• More control over the project management
• Manage the project by yourself
• Get dedicated staff throughout the development
• Communication becomes easier 
• Enhanced confidentiality of the Source Code
• Temporary staff, permanent benefits

Cons:

• Costly model of hiring
• You need to have sufficient space and IT infrastructure in your office to augment staff. 

On-Shore Vs Offshore Software Development

Similarly, let us now consider the pros and cons of on-shore and off-shore methods. In both cases, you will outsource the project remotely. Here are the advantages of disadvantages explained for both models: 

Pros of On-Shore Outsourcing:

• No 
  • communication barrier
  • Time zone differences
  • Currency exchange issues
• Simple communication
• Easy payment methods
• No international taxes 
• Less expensive to visit the office

Cons: 

• Traditional designs
• Common UI/UX designs

Pros of Off-shore or Near-shore outsourcing: 

• Fresh design ideas
• New culture, new variety in UI/UX 
• Companies value foreign clients more
• Higher work dedication from the development team
• Lower prices (if outsourced to a company with a lower currency rate)

Cons

• Less monitoring
• Reduced project control
• Expensive office visit (if required)
• Pay foreign taxes
• Method of payment may also create trouble. 

Expert Tips to Choose The Right Software Development Team 

Having compared different ways of finding the right software partner for your new startup and analysing the pros and cons of different hiring models, let us now provide you with some quick tips. Here is what you must consider when you are a startup: 

• Funding is often a major issue for startups. Therefore, spending money judiciously is really important.
• Resultantly, do not choose to ‘show off’ and choose a bespoke software development company that helps you in MVP development. Optimising cost must be one of your primary business goals. 
• Likewise, instead of choosing a big brand, go with a 5-7 year old tech startup or company. New companies offer highly competitive prices and focus more on product quality. They usually follow agile methodologies to software development and focus on robust testing. 
• Big brands will also provide you with great quality of service, but you will have to pay through the nose for it. 
• Also, make sure that you choose a stable company. Did you know that only 42% of the total number of startups in the UK survive for more than 5 years? 
• Every software product including a mobile application needs maintenance and support services post-development. Software maintenance is the job of the same company that develops the software product. 
• Therefore, choose a promising company as you will need them in the long run. 
• Never avoid prototyping and beta testing phases. 
• Avoid hustle! Be patient with the development team and do not hurry to get the product delivered. Let the developers and testers work on your project with patience to get a well-thought-out product with 100% quality assurance. 
• Do you know that you have a highly active role throughout the software development project? You as a client can choose to be either annoying or cooperative. The former type of behaviour may land you in hot water while the latter will help you get the most bespoke design. Know how straight from software engineers. 

Concluding Thoughts 

Now you are well-trained in finding the right software development partner for your startup. Choose a research method that suits your time and convenience. Hire a development team that seems highly professional and futuristic. Following the steps explained above, you will surely be able to pick the right tech partner for your business. If you have any further doubts or queries, do not hesitate to ask us. All the best for your search! See you in the next blog. 

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to get a software product? 

Software development cost purely depends upon its complexities, features and functions. On an estimate, the cost of developing a software product in the UK can range anywhere between £2000 and £70,000. The simpler the design, the lower the cost. 

2. How much does mobile app development cost in London? 

Mobile app development cost depends upon the target platform. While iOS app development can cost £1000-£70,000, Android app can cost £750-£56,000, and cross-platform app (single codebase for iOS and Android) can cost £1250-£70,000. Also, the app's complexity affects the cost equivalently.  

3. What is MVP Development? 

MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. So, MVP development is the method of software app development in which a developer first prepares the simplest form of a software product. An MVP will have only the most basic and necessary features. 

Later on, as the software product starts gaining popularity, more features will be added to it incrementally. MVP development mitigates risk and optimises cost and the development process. 

4. If I have a unique idea, can a software development company execute it?

Yes. For the development of unique and out-of-the-box technology ideas, custom software development companies provide execution. Uber, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube and all first-of-its-kind apps that introduced a new demand in the market are results of custom or bespoke software development services only.