Choosing Software Application Development Services: 9 Mistakes to Avoid

Even for veteran enterprises, picking software application development services can be tricky. And when you’re new to the development scene, you run twice the risk of ending up with the wrong company.

Cue communication mishaps, unexpected delays, and worst of all, a botched product.

But the rewards of a good partnership far outweigh the costs of a bad one, so don’t give up hope. As long as you avoid these nine mistakes, you’re on the right track.

Mistake 1) Going For the “Safest” Development Approach

Traditional cookie-cutter development methodologies like Waterfall may seem “safe” compared to innovative, risk-taking alternatives. But in truth, flexible approaches like Agile are personalized to both your development partner and project.

What you can expect from an iterative development approach is –

• Frequent and clear communication that keeps you in the loop
• Involvement in the project every step of the way
• Early access to functional prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs)
• A creative team with fresh ideas your users will love

So, there’s a reason Agile is becoming the go-to development methodology for people who want to build something extraordinary.

💡 Want to learn more? Software development approaches can make or break a project, so make sure you know what you’re signing up for.

Mistake 2) Ignoring Your Project’s Technology Needs

Your app can’t be built with just any set of tools. Using the wrong tech stack might result in a mess of bugs and crashes, or worse, an unusable product.

So, if you’re not sure what you need, you have two options –

• Option 1 – Do your own research about what skills, tech stack, and methodology is best suited to your project. After that, you’ll need to find a team that fits those criteria.
• Option 2 – Find software application development services that know their stuff. A skilled developer can offer you advice on the best tools and team for your project. Better yet, they can meet those requirements themselves, so you don’t have to go anywhere.

Mistake 3) Prioritizing Speed over Experience

Software development is a process you don’t want to rush, and any experienced developer knows that. So, watch out for promises of getting your product on the market at record speed. Those red flags signal that you’re not dealing with experienced developers.

A development company with decades of projects under its belt will be able to lay down clear, realistic deadlines. Overeager amateurs may defer to your own preferences, rush the project, and deliver lackluster results.

Mistake 4) Hiring Multiple Companies for One Project

Even if a company seems to be the perfect fit for one aspect of your project, don’t settle just yet. It’s not worth it if they can’t handle the entire app development life cycle from start to finish.

Here’s why you need just one team that can do it all –

• Efficiency and Consistency – A team of colleagues has an efficient, well-practiced process. More importantly, they can communicate with each other to produce a consistent, seamless app experience.
• Faster Time to Market – Hiring several software application development services will mean communicating your requirements, expectations, and vision from the top numerous times. This drags out the time to market.
• Lower Overall Cost – It’s a no-brainer that hiring from one company will be more cost effective than approaching multiple teams. There’s a price tag attached to the effort of starting from scratch!

In short, keep it simple. The more unneeded complexity you add to the development process, the greater the risk of disaster.

🔥 Hot tip! This advice applies for your multiplatform needs, too. For example, if you’re going for mobile and web app development, find a developer who can do both.

Mistake 5) Neglecting Your Communication Strategy

If you don’t communicate with your development team, the product they end up delivering will probably shock you.

An airtight communication strategy should be your number one priority when hiring any third-party team. That entails –

• Finding out who you’ll primarily be communicating with
• Deciding the frequency and content of check-ins
• Clarifying expectations and deliverables
• Determining when and how you’ll provide feedback
• Managing which stakeholders should be involved in discussions

Then it’s up to you to maintain your communication channels and follow up with your team.

Mistake 6) Taking Team Dynamics for Granted

Team dynamics are at the heart of software application development services. Collaboration, transparency, trust, and morale dictate everything from timeline to quality. The last thing you want is a chaotic team and constant delays.

To ensure you’re hiring a team that isn’t prone to internal conflict or misunderstandings, set up an interview with them.

Inquire about their roles and responsibilities, the platforms they use to communicate, and how many projects they’ve worked on together. Importantly, make sure they leave room for everyone to speak.

Mistake 7) Under-Communicating Your Vision

When it comes to software development, what you ask for is what you get. So, for the sake of your product, your specifications should leave no room for misinterpretation.

That means establishing –

• What problem your product solves, what gap it fills, and what need it meets
• How each feature complements those goals
• What market and usership your product is made for and how high the demand is

The more specific your vision, the better.

🔥 Hot tip! If you want to guarantee a crystal-clear project vision, consider hiring software design services that offer design sprints. These five-day workshops help you narrow down your goal and uncover any issues in your product.

Mistake 8) Failing to Plan for Post-Launch Maintenance

Maintenance after deployment is just as important as any other part of the development process. Fortunately, most software application development services have post-launch support baked into their contracts.

But better safe than sorry, so be sure to ask what they offer. Here are the main types of maintenance you’ll need –

• Regular updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and enhance the user experience
• Performance monitoring through data-driven analytics
• A customer support channel that processes reports and feedback
• Operating system, browser, and device compatibility testing

Mistake 9) Disregarding Offshore Software Application Development Services

There’s no good reason to restrict your pool of resources when the world is your oyster.

According to a Market.Us report, the offshore software development market size is forecasted to reach $389.7 billion by 2033. That’s up from $120 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 12.5%.

The appeal of offshore outsourcing isn’t limited to the offer of access to global talent and diverse skillsets. This approach can also be more cost efficient, especially when hiring companies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

All it takes is a bit of careful interviewing to assess communication and culture compatibility. You’re guaranteed to find exactly what you need.

💡 Check this out! If we’ve piqued your interest in custom development outsourcing, don’t stop here. From benefits to best practices, there’s plenty more to discover about the process.

Wondering Where to Find Your Perfect Fit?

You may have already found it.

For decades, DPL’s software application development services have been proudly working with onshore and offshore businesses to develop state-of-the-art apps.

So, do yourself a favor and tell us about your product in the form below. We can’t wait to bring your vision to life.