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7 Best Practices for Custom Software Development

Author : Mark Moody | Published On : 16 Jan 2024

In early 2023, people grabbed about 27 billion apps from Google Play. The worldwide market for crafting custom software, creating unique computer programs for a specific company, was worth 29.29 billion dollars in 2022. Experts predict it will keep growing at a speedy rate of 22.4 percent each year from 2023 to 2030.

 

Crafting custom software involves a detailed process of designing solutions that perfectly fit the needs of a particular organisation. This intricate journey includes several stages and requires expertise in various technologies to make it all work seamlessly. 

 

Here are 7 Best Practices for Custom Software Development you need to know

 

Documenting all the Development Stages:

Write down everything as you go along. Take a good look at what needs to be done and plan it out so that every part meets your standards. Once you know exactly what you need, write down all the details at every step of creating and putting the software into action.

 

Make sure you have:

  • A well-organised plan for testing the software thoroughly.
  • A clear statement of what you're aiming for, so you can focus on delivering what you planned.
  • A plan that shows when things will happen and who will do what.
  • Information for users that answers common questions about the software (FAQs).

 

Consider Your Budget:

Set the budget for development and pick the right pricing model. Consider the following factors that affect potential development costs. 

 

The amount of time needed for creating the solution, influenced by:

  • Complexity level
  • Features and functionalities
  • Product design and user interface/experience (UI/UX)
  • The platform(s) chosen

 

The hourly rate, which can vary based on:

  • The location of the development partner
  • The specific skills or type of developers needed
  • Monthly or annual expenses related to third-party APIs and tools, like fees for cloud services, web and domain hosting, SSL certificates, and more.
  • Include a contingency allowance of 20 to 30 percent of the total cost to handle unexpected circumstances and additional expenses.

 

Choosing Right Tools and Technologies is Important:

Pick the right technology for your project by choosing the best programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Decide these details early on to build a skilled team. Remember, copying your competitors' choices might not be the best idea.

 

Consider These Four Things When Choosing Tech for Custom Development:

  • Clearly define your product and who will use it.
  • Decide if it's a web app, mobile app, desktop app, or a mix of these.
  • Choose stable and helpful technologies for a faster development process.
  • Pick technologies commonly used by many developers to make hiring easier and more affordable.

 

Set Realistic Goals:

Set achievable goals to make sure your project succeeds. Create a plan with specific steps, budgets, and timeframes. Follow these steps:

  • Make a solid plan.
  • Outline how things will work.
  • Create a detailed roadmap, thinking about time and money.
  • Define what success looks like for your project.
  • Start the development work.
  • Review progress at each step.
  • Get feedback from users and stakeholders.
  • Find areas that need improvement.

 

Pick the right SDLC or Methodology:

Select the right method for your project's development with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). It's a series of tasks that every software development company follows. There are two common types - agile methodology or waterfall. 

 

Conduct Rigorous Testing, Security Checks, and QA:

Make sure your custom software works smoothly by checking for mistakes and testing it thoroughly. It's crucial to make sure the software can handle different situations once it's ready to be used.

 

Testing is important from the beginning to:

  • Keep an eye on and fix any problems that come up.
  • Stop mistakes or failures from happening.
  • Have enough time to fix any issues.

 

Before releasing the product, test it thoroughly to make sure it works well on different devices and web browsers. Also, check all the details and security measures, like certificates and encryption, to keep data safe.

 

Creating custom software is a complex job that needs skill in different technologies. It requires careful planning and a mix of expertise and experience to make the project successful. When thinking about custom software development, it's crucial to work with a well-known team.

 

Mark Moody is a well-versed software developer associated with GetAProgrammer, a leading software development company in Australia. With a passion for efficient software solutions, the author shares valuable insights on custom software development. Drawing from experience, they offer practical advice through seven best practices to ensure successful and tailored outcomes.