The software market is expected to reach US$858.10bn in the next five years by 2028. Various startups are trying to leverage the massive growth in software development. They can use software to generate funds, attract investors, or become the next billion-dollar idea.
However, software development for startups is no easy path to tread upon. There’s fierce competition and a lack of viable ideas, and it is more of an odyssey for most startups. Having a complete idea of what you are getting yourself into is essential.
Here in this article, we explore the following:
- Benefits of software development
- Why Startups need faster development processes
- Software development life cycles – 7 Main Stages
- Tips to improve startup software development process
Let’s begin!
What are the benefits of software development for startups?
Startups can build scalable software applications that differentiate them from immediate competitors and build brand value for them. Additionally, software development helps adapt to the latest dynamic changes hassle-free. Custom software for small business can benefit them in the following ways:
Develop a Unique Solution
Software development can help you build web and mobile apps that adapt seamlessly to your specific business processes. This boosts productivity and saves time by automating several key processes.
Scalability for a Growing Business
Leveraging custom software development services provides you with scalable digital solutions that adjust to the demands of a growing business. This eliminates regular costs required in off-the-shelf software applications.
Customization and Integration
Custom softwares lets you fulfill business goals with standard and personalized features. Moreover, you can integrate several third-party solutions that help with quick project development with various industry-standard features.
Consistent & Reliable Support
Custom software development teams are well-versed professionals and ensure on-time deliverables. You can trust them to achieve high-quality code that is free from bugs and provides the application with excellent performance.
While there are several benefits to investing in software development, it’s also essential to have quicker outputs. Getting your product ready at a slow pace can impact desired outcomes.
Leverages Latest Technologies
Custom software can be built using the latest and most compatible technologies, improving the developed application’s performance and UX. Different projects require different approaches, technologies, and more. For example, you can hire dedicated Reactjs developer to build apps that require high rendering performance instead of using outdated software for the startup.
However, for building single-page apps with high performance, AngularJS is a better fit. Similarly, you can build lightweight apps using the Vue.js framework. It’s essential to map out your requirements to find the best fit for the project.
Why Startups Need Quick Development Processes?
Faster Time-to-Market Your Idea
Being the first of its kind can have significant impacts on cut-throat competition. From attracting investors to building credibility among the application users, it helps you in multiple ways. Overall, it becomes easier to capture a fair share of the market.
For example, while there were various lookalikes of WhatsApp, none beat its popularity. Even the tech giant Facebook realized its worth and purchased the application for $4 billion in cash and $12 billion in Facebook shares in 2014.
Optimized Resources
Quicker development aligns with better allocation of resources and time. For example, you can build a marketing team or strategies for launching and marketing the application, while a software consulting company caters to developing your ideas.
Leverages PoC & MVPs
Faster development of ideas into digital applications revolves around building proof of concepts or minimum viable products. 42% of startups fail by running into ideas that lack demands.
Building MVPs also secures you with idea validation and prevents running into products that lack demand. Various full-fledged apps, like Facebook, Uber, etc., originated as simple MVPs and shaped into complex mobile apps.
Iterative Approach
Faster development of ideas allows you to have iterative releases. This helps to build a product according to user demands and feedback. Notably, TikTok was released as Musical.ly, which allowed users to enact or imitate song performances.
TikTok is also called the second iteration of the same mobile app. The successful journey of various applications in the form of iterations showcases the impact of faster software development for startups.
Software Development Life Cycle – 7 Stages Explained
It is best to go agile when developing software applications. While Waterfall, Spirals, etc., are also proven development approaches, they fail to offer flexibility and agility like agile models. Developing your ideas into digital applications involves going through the following seven software development life cycle stages.
Stage1- Brainstorming the ideas
At this stage, you need to find the target audience and the key issues the app will resolve and conduct in-depth market research. You need clear answers to the following:
- Why are you building this app?
- Who will use it?
- The sizable population of the target audience
- How quickly do you want to release it?
Once you gain the right answers to these questions, you can focus on the requirements analysis of the product. Choosing full cycle development services from a reputed company can help you right from ideation to development, launch, and maintenance services.
Stage2- Enlisting Requirements
Further, you need to connect with stakeholders, potential users, and domain experts to enlist must-have features in the web or mobile app development project. This stage requires you to conduct interviews, surveys, etc., to analyze different aspects of the software application.
Stage3- Designing the UIs
Here, in this stage, a software designing company creates a wireframe of the application design. Look for intuitive navigation and a logical flow of functional features across different pages. Simple and immersive user interfaces drive UX.
Stage4- Coding the Application
Deploying agile methodologies, startups can experience continuous iteration of 2 to 4 weeks of release cycles. The agile method powers the coding process with high-quality code and ensures greater development cycle transparency.
Stage5- Testing & QA
Various forms of standard testing, like unit, functional, and penetration testing, are pivotal in any startup software development project. The development team should also test whether the developed application meets desired industry standards and fulfills enlisted functional features.
Stage6- Launching the Product
Once the startup software application passes the QA, it’s time to launch the application over various web and mobile platforms. A controlled release approach for the startup software project can ensure a smooth rollout as it provides real-world user feedback. This proves helpful in improving the software app.
Stage7- Maintenance
A startup software requires dedicated maintenance for the release of new iterations with the integration of various performance enhancements. New releases can also provide users with technology version updates, security enhancements, etc.
Tips for Smooth Software Development Process for Startups
- For building projects within a limited budget, proceed with MVPs
- Hire a startup software development company that offers high value for money
- Go agile with the software development model
- Embrace minimum viable products or proof of concepts as development strategies
- Leverage standard project management tools like Trello, Zoho, Jira, Basecamp, etc.
- Do not compromise on quality
- For developing mobile apps, leverage cross-platform solutions using Flutter or React Native
Wrapping Up
That was all about why and how startups can leverage software development services. It’s essential to use the latest technology tools to achieve development goals while keeping scope for future needs. Also, do not compromise on quality when outsourcing software development projects. The best software development companies can develop a minimum viable product. You can release the business idea software solution with essential features and proceed with iterative releases.