Your success as a retailer depends on your retail software development company, but finding the right one isn’t easy. Follow these step-by-step guides before you engage any agency to deliver retail software development services and you’ll do just fine!
How to Find a Retail Software Development Company
There are plenty of agencies offering custom retail software development solutions, but not all of them will be a good fit for your business. You may have to interview a number of them before reaching the decision.
- Start with Referrals
If you know someone that has recently used a retail software solutions development company with good results, ask for a referral. Use your network to find out more about the developers out there, and ask them to share any lessons they’ve learned during the process. Even if it only helps you rule out the unsuitable candidates, you’ll be on your way much faster than you would have been otherwise.
- Talk about Coding From the Beginning
You might encounter lots of agencies who don’t know much about coding themselves, acting as middlemen. If they don’t fully understand the lingo, the chances are that they haven’t hired the right staff to get the job done. Ask about their coding skills and their experience with software development for retail stores. Also, be sure to ask who will own and have access to the source code when the project is complete – you don’t want to remain reliant on the agency indefinitely.
- Ask for Testimonials and Other References
Ask to see any projects they may have worked on in the past, and get in touch with past clients. You may want to ask them which languages they used, which frameworks worked best, and what the logic was behind their decisions. Once you’ve had a clear idea of their experience with custom software development for retailers and received honest feedback, you know whether or not they are a good fit for you. For example, if they’ve only worked on small, simple apps but your project is big and complex, they might not be prepared for the challenges ahead.
- Interrogate Their Delivery Times
How can they deliver? How quickly did they deliver their past projects? You want to pick a company with a proven track record that understands the unique challenges they face and plan accordingly. Remember, you need to get your project to market as fast as possible, but you also need to set time aside for bug fixes and quality checks. Discuss your deadline with your agency upfront, as well as the consequences of not meeting the deadlines.
- Choose Good Communicators
If you are using an offshore agency along with some local developers, you have to ensure that they can understand each other clearly. Choosing a country where developers can speak English as a second language is a must, but also do a trial run to ensure they can work together. Some teams communicate better in writing than speaking over Zoom, so use different communication channels if needed.
- Discuss App Ownership
Make sure that your code belongs to you. Source code can become a source of conflict between agencies and companies if you don’t clarify this upfront. Imagine if you need to do additional work but can’t access your code? Or if you find a competitor using it? An ownership clause in your contract that is in compliance with both countries’ laws is essential.
- Discuss Cybersecurity
Make sure that your sensitive data will be protected. As a retailer, you’ll collect very sensitive personal information, like credit card details and delivery addresses. Make sure that your agency has proven cybersecurity protocols to protect your customers’ data.
Choosing a retail software development company isn’t an easy task, but you need to spend some time understanding the options before making a decision. Don’t rush to make a decision. Take your time and feel confident that the company you’ve chosen is the right one for you.
