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Five Common Mistakes Made When Buying Custom Business Software
Five Common Mistakes Made When Buying Custom Business Software
In today’s modern world, technology has taken over many aspects of running a small business. And like it or not, without the right tools, it can be challenging to stay competitive. This is especially true in industries where efficiency and accuracy can make or break a product.
The problem for many small businesses arises in choosing the right software package for their business. Because, unfortunately, purchasing software isn’t as easy as walking into a grocery store and grabbing an item off the shelf. Buying customer software is an investment of time, money, and trust. And for Christians, the choice goes beyond making a smart financial decision.
In that light, here are some of the most common mistakes small business owners make when purchasing custom software. By being aware of these missteps, you should be able to effectively avoid them and make the right choice for your company and values. And, in doing so, improve your daily efficiency and open your company’s potential for long-term growth.
Mistake #1: Not Understanding Your Needs Clearly
Many small business owners come to software thinking they need “better tools.” They then go out and purchase software that may or may not actually solve their problems.
For example, a construction business owner decides they need to “manage projects better.” While that is a start, the statement is far too vague to make a helpful decision. What’s needed is narrowing down and identifying the tasks you perform on a regular basis—those which would benefit from a technological solution.
Do you need help with scheduling? Budgeting? Communication with clients? What issues are popping up in your day-to-day?
By working through this process, clearly defining your needs upfront and prioritizing them, you’ll be much more successful in choosing a solution that actually helps your company—saving you money, stress, and that all-too-important resource: time.
Mistake #2: Failing to Involve Your Team
Along the lines above, you need to remember who will be using your software everyday—your team—and involve them in the deciding process.
Calling in the vantages of your team is a critical step often overlooked by owners and upper management. Without the feedback of your staff, you risk creating—and spending a bunch of money on—a tool that doesn’t meet their daily needs (or is too complicated to use… more on that later).
To side step this common error, bring your team together early during the conversation. Ask them what features they need to perform their jobs at the highest level. What challenges do they face? Then, during development, let your team test the software. Doing so helps to ensure you’ll create something practical and user-friendly…
A huge “win” in the custom software world.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Future Growth of Your Business
Most business owners are looking for software solutions that solve their current problems. While that certainly makes a lot of sense, focusing solely on today—without an eye on the future—can lead to creating software that needs to be replaced in short time.
Think about where your business is going. What are your goals? Will your current software still work if your business doubles in size? Are you able to integrate new tools as your industry changes?
To help build a software that’s “future proof,” look for developers with a growth mindset. Ask questions like, “Can the software handle more users?” and “What happens when we want to add features later?” These questions are important, as they reduce the risk of your investment becoming obsolete in (potentially) just a few short years.
Mistake #4: Not Considering Team Training and Software Support
This one’s pretty simple…
Even the best software is useless if your team doesn’t know how to use it. But luckily, that’s a problem which is pretty easy to avoid.
When shopping around for developers, ask if training and support are part of the package. A good developer will be able to provide user guides, videos, and/or in-person training sessions. Be sure to look for someone offering ongoing support options—especially during the first few months following a launch.
It’s one of the best ways to ensure your financial decision is a sound one.
Mistake #5: Purchasing the Cheapest Option
As Christian business owners, we are called to be good stewards. This includes making sound financial decisions, as well as those relating to time, talent, and energy. Unfortunately, some business owners think saving money short term is the answer—and end up costing themselves much more in the long run.
Custom software is an investment. When considering the right solution, remember to think long term. This will help you focus on value rather than just the upfront cost. Look for developers with experience in your industry. And know that a higher initial cost for the right solution can save you time, money, and plenty of headaches down the line.
Aligning Your Custom Software with Your Values
As a Christian business leader, you are called to honor God in every decision you make. Therefore, it’s important to ensure the software you create aligns with your values and helps you to serve others.
For this reason, partner with a developer who understands your mission. Share your company’s values and explain how custom software fits into that vision. Seek to find a team who understands your requirements of excellence, stewardship, and service.
While you’re at it, keep the above five mistakes in mind. Take the time to understand your needs. Involve your team. Choose a developer who aligns with your values. And always remember that by approaching this process with wisdom and prayer, you’ll create a tool that supports your business and reflects your commitment to God’s Kingdom.
Ready to discuss how custom software can radically transform the future of your business? Reach out to an Integro custom software expert today. Your call is absolutely free, comes with zero strings attached, and is just an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and share a bit about your business.
Rooting you on,
Integro Software
