There are a lot of choices out there when searching for a software development company to handle your company’s project. In a perfect world, choosing the right one would just be a matter of finding the development company whose specialty and expertise most closely matches what you’re looking to accomplish with your software. 

Unfortunately, the reality is that there are a lot of developers and development firms out there who aren’t up to the task to handle bigger projects, or who are just looking to score a good contract with a client without planning or knowing how to deliver a strong product. Misleading claims of capability can lead to a lot of wasted time and money. 

Here are 5 signs that you’re working with the wrong software development company and it’s time to cut ties. 

Missed Check-ins

One of the great things about using a third-party software development company to handle your project is that you, the client, get to decide your level of involvement in the development process. Oftentimes, clients will choose to take a back seat and let the development company’s leadership handle the majority of project oversight. Other clients choose to be more hands-on and schedule frequent regular progress check-ins. 

In either situation, when the development company starts to miss check-ins or seems to perpetually want to push back meetings, those are major red flags. Once or twice is fine. Things happen. But when it becomes a regular occurrence, it’s a sign that either they’re not prioritizing your work or they’re simply unprepared to show progress. Both of these things are, of course, less than ideal. 

Poor Communication

Aside from check-in meetings, a good software development company will make their senior team  available to the client to discuss and address concerns by having  open communication. Software projects are often large, complex, and dynamic ideas that can change at any point within the development cycle, and lines of communication are necessary to keep the developers up to date on any changes.

If your third-party developer isn’t returning your calls or answering your emails, it’s a sign that something is wrong and that issue should be addressed immediately to save a lot of headaches down the road. 

Project Cost Overruns without Approvals

When consulting with a software development company about an upcoming project, the company will usually help you arrive at a realistic budget or budget range that takes into account the scope and goals of the software. If they’re experienced, they’ll usually build in some room for unexpected circumstances that could affect costs. 

So when you get the call from the developer that things are costing more than they anticipated due to no change from your end, but because of poor estimation by them early on, that means you’ve probably hired a company that was in over their head when accepting the contract for your project. That, or they’re just trying to squeeze more money out of the job. Either way, it’s a sign that things aren’t going well and, if possible, it might be time to reassess your partnership. 

Lack of Portfolio and Testimonials

This is a sign that can be spotted before anybody shakes hands and a contract is decided upon. When shopping for a software development company, keep an eye out for examples of work that resembles your project, or testimonials from companies that are similar to yours. 

The reality is that software development is hard work, and successful developers should be proud to show off their accomplishments. If you ask to see examples of past work and you’re met with a blank stare, that means something is amiss and perhaps you should keep shopping for a suitable  contractor firm. 

They’re Over-Promising

If a development company is making promises about your project that seem too good to be true, they almost definitely are. Over-promising is something that companies might do when they’re either too eager to land a contract or they’re overestimating their own abilities. Both of those things are bad for you, the client, because neither one results in the successful work that they’re promising to you. 

If you think it’s time for your business to hire a custom software development company in New York for your businesses’ needs please feel free to check out our reviews from our many satisfied customers and click the link below to contact us for a free consultation.

Stay ahead of the game with our helpful resources

4 digital solutions to address common application performance issues

High network latency, memory leaks, slow page loads, heavy CPU usage, and unresponsive servers are all typical performance issues we’ve experienced at some point when using or accessing digital applications. With how easy they occur in projects across verticals, you might be wondering whether the development teams behind these programs have done enough due diligence prior to the release. But human errors and oversight aren’t always the culprit. The reality is that while developers can strive to develop a fully functioning program with virtually no apparent faults upon delivery, no software is truly error-free. Even the most rigorously tested applications

6 useful tips for creating more robust application lifecycle management

As digital technology becomes the norm, software acquisition is now key to gaining a competitive edge in today’s market. Be it as a value offering tailored to consumers or a productivity tool to run complex processes, custom software undeniably helps companies drive growth and deliver value more efficiently. Just as necessary as having a proprietary application is prescribing a standard procedure to govern and maintain its utility. This is to ensure that your business can develop or adopt the right type of software—one that can fully cater to your business needs while keeping disruption to a minimum across critical milestones.

5 major roadblocks businesses must overcome when transitioning into a new software environment

As the business landscape becomes increasingly saturated, staying ahead of the curve often means embracing disruptive technologies to meet the fickle market demands. In most cases, this entails knowing when to pivot your current strategy to an entirely new solution. But recognizing the importance of digital shift is one thing; implementing the necessary IT upgrade is another. A global survey by Deloitte has found that although 87% of companies manage to identify the impact of digital trends on their industries, only 44% have adequately prepared for the coming disruptions. This vast disconnect between organizational expectations and conditions in the field

Is cloud computing the answer to better software development?

Cloud computing is perhaps not a term often heard in daily conversations, but it is one with a far-reaching impact on our technological needs. From expansive options of online data storage to numerous suites of web-based productivity tools like Google Workspace, nearly everyone has used a cloud-enabled technology. Over the last decade, this high degree of versatility also underpins the rapid cloud uptake among businesses. In fact, one survey has found that 94% of companies have already shifted their computing workloads on cloud platforms to varying extents. Unsurprisingly, the market size for cloud technology continues to grow exponentially. With a

Please enter a valid email address
Rahul

Rahul

Chief Solutions Architect

Rahul is a wellspring of wisdom when it comes to driving innovation and improving healthcare services using advanced custom software solutions. He specializes in delivering the technical guidance needed to ensure success across the digital product life cycle. His unique problem-solving approach provides the guidance and strong architectural foundation needed to transform digital health services.