By: Kacy O'ConnellThe decisions you make as you lay the groundwork for your new business can have long-lasting impact. Some are limited to the early days of getting your business off the ground, but others can make the difference of whether you fail or succeed. Once your business is running, you have very little time to analyze the impact of those decisions on internal and external operations.
This is especially true when it comes to selecting the best software platforms for managing the needs of your customers and staff. Unfortunately, finding one that meets your operational and engagement expectations is not always easy despite the abundance of third-party applications.
This can be disastrous for startups, which rely on positive interactions and efficient processes to grow during one of the most challenging stages of business development. Moreover, the problem worsens as you build a high-functioning network of integrated third-party platforms.
That is where custom software can assist your startup in establishing the solid foundation you are working so hard to build. Custom software for your startup allows you to create a user engagement framework tailored to your organization's and customers' needs.
With so many decisions and viable third-party solutions, it's easy to put off plans for custom software. However, for startups seeking a competitive advantage and long-term stability, investing now can pay dividends.
Still not sure? Here are some factors to consider.
You get precisely what you want (and nothing else).
Many excellent software solutions are available, but they all share one major design flaw: they are intended for mass use. As a result, they do not meet your exact requirements, and you must make a trade-off, foregoing the desired user experience in exchange for a subpar alternative.
Custom-designed business software solutions make it easier to provide your customers with the experience you envisioned from the beginning—a valuable offering in a crowded market. It can also streamline internal operations and pique the interest of existing or prospective investors.
You can give customers the experience they expect.
Working with an experienced software development team allows you to create a user environment that considers everything you know about your target audience. This is in stark contrast to competing applications, severely limiting your ability to customize the customer experience.
Custom software can scale alongside your business.
If you've been looking for internal or customer-facing business applications, you've probably noticed that scalability can be expensive, if not impossible.
Many applications have limitations that govern how many users you can have, what functionalities you can access, and even which applications you can integrate. That may not seem like a big deal when you're first starting, but it can lead to significant problems later.
When you outgrow a third-party application, you have few options. In the best-case scenario, you can pay more to access the next level of service.
In the worst-case scenario, you will have to switch to another application. Unfortunately, this process frequently results in unwelcome service disruption, data loss, a negative customer experience, and internal workflow issues.
The best software development company will collaborate with you to develop a solution that will grow with your company over time.
It is less expensive than you believe.
The cost of custom software versus third-party applications is a significant barrier that prevents startups from opting for custom software. Therefore, customization is assumed to be a considerable drain on budgets.
Custom software may be associated with a higher initial investment than some alternatives, but this is not always the case. Many customers are surprised to learn that it is within their budget. Not to mention that the initial investment will save you time, money, and future headaches.
Custom software is designed to grow with your business, reducing the likelihood that you'll need to make significant changes in the future—changes that can disrupt your business, cause concerns among loyal customers and ultimately leave you footing the bill for direct and indirect costs.
Custom software can yield a strong ROI.
Custom software is not only affordable, but it can have a significant impact on revenue growth. According to Forrester research, every $1 spent on UX can result in an additional $100 in return. When we consider the value of a positive user experience, those figures shouldn't come as too much of a surprise.
Furthermore, we should not confine the scope of UX ROI to the customer experience. Employees' jobs become more manageable when more efficient software applications are available, which can help you save money on direct and indirect labor costs.
You keep ownership of the finished product.
When you choose custom software over a third-party solution, you're investing in a long-term asset that your company can use however it sees fit.
You won't have to be concerned about what happens if the company hosting your application suffers a security breach or a service outage or if ownership or structural changes occur.
When you work with Provisio, your custom application will be unique to your company, and you will retain ownership even if you part ways with the developer. The anxiety of wondering if a competitor uses the same application as you is also alleviated.
Custom software can improve data security.
You are beholden to the company that owns your software if you do not own it.
That means your data and the data of your customers or clients are vulnerable to their security practices. You won't know how they manage their source code or what security policies they have in place.
Any data breaches directed at the hosting company will also put your company at risk. Unfortunately, these scenarios are not as uncommon as we would like to believe, and they can have serious consequences. Owning software can help you reduce your risk.
You can improve the efficiency of your business operations.
When you rely on third-party platforms regularly, your options for streamlining business operations are limited by the number of applications that can easily integrate.
When you create your software, you can include a wide range of functions and capabilities without constraints that can disrupt or complicate workflows.
Custom software helps bridge the gap between the user experience and employee responsibilities such as reporting, order fulfillment, and inventory.
When you're in the early stages, every decision counts. Third-party apps may appear to be more convenient or even less expensive at first glance, but these advantages are frequently fleeting.
By investing in customized software from the start, you will set your company up for success and lay a solid foundation to build and improve as your company grows and your needs change.