The Benefits of Custom Software Development

Off-the-Shelf or Custom?

According to Gartner, enterprise software spend grew faster than any other IT spend, 7.6 percent between 2016 and 2017. A common dilemma for organizations is whether to purchase off-the-shelf software solutions or invest in a custom solution. While out-of-the-box solutions may promise a quick fix, they often lack the features and functionality that sets a company apart. Quite often these cookie cutter products just do the job but don’t exactly impress.

If your organization is considering extending your reach or improving operations through a software solution, be sure you understand the benefits of custom software development. If done right, the time and money required for a bespoke solution are well worth the investment.

The Top 5 Benefits of Custom Software Development

Off-the-shelf software solutions may have their place, but if your customers will interact with the final product in any way, it can be a critical error to assume something so general will effectively represent your company. One solution does not fit all and you’re likely going to pay for functionality you may not need, support you may not receive, and an end product that does little to impress your end user.

Drivers such as these may be why Forrester found one in eight companies spend more than 50 percent of their software budgets on custom software development. We’ve put together five benefits of custom software development you can consider.

It’s Personalized

Obviously, custom software development implies it is personalized to your organization’s needs or those of its customers. When you work with a custom software development team, you get exactly what you want and nothing you don’t. Your team will help bring your ideas to life, designing and developing a product on which your brand will be happy to put its name.

It’s a Differentiator

If your competitors are using off-the-shelf solutions, you have an incredible opportunity to gain market share and a competitive advantage with a custom app that sets you apart. If your competitors use their own custom-designed software, you can’t compete unless you offer something equally or more powerful. If you want to be seen as an innovative company responsive to customer demand, a custom-built software solution is the only way to go.

Your Customers Demand Something Special

Let’s face it, your customers have become used to functionality through apps. We use apps for everything these days and if your app isn’t keeping pace, you will lose audience attention. It’s too easy for your customers to find something better – and they will. With 23 percent of apps used only once before being abandoned and 80 percent installed but never used, there’s reason to hire a custom software development company who will help you design apps that not only work but they wow.

It’s Simpler than You Think

A common hesitation for hiring a custom software development company is the process seems too daunting. Nothing could be further from the truth. A good custom software development team removes the complexity and delivers an end product that is easy to use and does what it promises. Part of your investment is in the support and most companies will deliver a simplified solution that doesn’t require technical expertise to understand.

You Get A Team of Experts on Your Side

Perhaps the biggest benefit of hiring a custom software development team is you add highly-skilled people to your team. You don’t need to hire internal developers and designers when you have a team of experts at your beck and call. Not only can they build your software product now, but they can be a sounding board for future products you want to bring to life.