Why is Building Custom Software Expensive?
By SOLTECH
Your business is in need of a new software application. You reach out to a few local software development firms for an estimate and you are shocked when you see it. Then, you ask yourself the inevitable question, why is building custom software expensive?
This is a very frequent question that we get asked here at SOLTECH. The biggest drawback and reason we hear most from folks for why they can’t or won’t build custom software, is that it’s expensive – which is true. But, the hefty price tag is there for a reason. Let’s talk about what makes building software expensive and what you can do to cut down on costs.
The Development Team
Software developers are in high demand right now and they demand top dollar for their time and expertise. And, just one developer won’t cut it. It typically takes several developers to build an application, and most projects require a diverse set of skillsets and expertise.
However, you’ll need more than just a few developers to create a great software application. Most teams consist of a project manager, who communicates with the entire team and keeps the project on time and on budget, UX designers, and Quality Assurance.
Hiring a software A-Team is expensive, but it’s worth the money to know your software idea is in good hands.
Uncertainty Drives Up Cost
Many times, we’ve seen clients who are ready to begin work on their software project, but are not exactly sure what they want yet. For some, they begin the development process only to hit a roadblock or realize they’re building features that really aren’t needed.
To avoid this, it’s best to take a step back and complete a thorough discovery process to dive deep into what you or your users are really wanting to get from your software. Doing thorough user research will allow you to start your project with a solid goal in mind, and prevent changing course midway through the project, which will cost precious time and money. The discovery process is a crucial first step to any software development project.
Complexity is Also a Cost Factor
Building software isn’t fast or easy. It’s an inherently complex process. A development team can spend anywhere from 3 months to over a year working on a software project, depending on how large the application is.
Software development is more than just writing code. It’s about utilizing code and resources to build the best tools to fit a need.
After building custom software for more than 20 years, we’ve come to realize that the best software and the happiest customers are not created during the development process, but rather, the planning process. A good development team sits down with their client and finds out exactly what they need. Every business is unique and the processes that they go through on a day-to-day basis are ever-changing. This is why custom software is so expensive.
If you’re ready to turn your software idea into a reality, let’s talk.
Before you choose a software partner, get this free eBook on what to ask when looking for a software firm.
