Choosing the right SaaS development company from the numerous specialists in the market can be a challenging task. In 2022, approximately 17,000 SaaS companies were operating in the United States alone, with this number continually growing every year.
Given such high demand, a thoughtful approach to selecting a service provider is critical, and we’re here to assist you.
This article will discuss essential factors to consider when picking a reliable SaaS company. From understanding project requirements to asking the most important questions, we’ll outline how to determine if a company is the right choice for your project. Let’s find an effective approach together!
Understanding Software as a Service
What Exactly Is SaaS?
Software as a service (SaaS) is a way of delivering applications online – as a service. Instead of installing and dealing with software, you simply access it through the internet, saving yourself from complex management.
SaaS operates using the cloud delivery approach. A software company hosts the application and its data on their servers or hires a cloud provider.
This lets users access the application from any device with an internet connection, usually through web browsers.
Well-known SaaS products include Zoom, Slack, Netflix and Spotify.
Who Stands to Benefit from SaaS Solutions?
Any business providing customer products should think about adopting the SaaS model. According to Statista, in 2023, the value of the SaaS market is projected to be around US$197 billion, with an increase to US$232 billion by the year 2024.
The SaaS market grows as companies worldwide use SaaS product development services for different business needs. These include solutions for managing customer resources (CRM), planning enterprise resources (ERP), web hosting and e-commerce.
Businesses using specialised applications or email marketing tools could find the SaaS model especially beneficial, as well as the companies offering additional features to their customers.
How Do SaaS Developers Contribute to Your Business?
Along with platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS), SaaS is a key part of cloud computing. As stated in a McKinsey study, companies find that using cloud platforms helps them launch products 20% to 40% faster.
They also claim that using a SaaS model on platforms like AWS allows them to quickly build, test and release new products to meet market demands.
Among other major benefits business owners mentioned money saving, as SaaS development services help move resources away from IT expenses and direct them to other important business needs.
Also, using a SaaS business model has the potential to improve customer engagement and contribute to higher revenue levels – that’s particularly important for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Learn more how to choose a SaaS development company.
Contact us →Why is it Crucial to Select a SaaS Company Thoughtfully?
Picking the right company is key when developing a complex solution like a SaaS product.
SaaS companies have a deep understanding of the fundamental structure important for creating a successful SaaS. They focus on aspects such as multi-tenancy, API integration, and monitoring specific to cloud applications.
This proficiency is greatly needed for constructing solutions that are efficient, scalable and robust. Choosing a company with a lack of technical expertise will lead to great losses in time and funds.
Also, companies specialising in SaaS development bring subject matter expertise. That means they concentrate on creating applications tailored to your particular industry or niche.
This knowledge allows them to be well versed in the unique requirements and regulations to ensure that the final product won’t be off-target.
Exploring SaaS Developer Resources: Outsourcing Options
Considering a SaaS vendor is a smart move for any project. If your company operates independently, it’s a good time to explore third-party assistance for better market competitiveness.
Outsourcing, known for cost-effective access to quality IT services, is ideal for developing SaaS solutions. Here are three ways to find a reliable development partner that we’ll discuss.
Offshoring
Offshoring means shifting tasks to another country. This approach aids companies in achieving rapid growth while also cutting costs on software solutions.
The biggest advantage of the offshoring model is access to a global talent pool. Countries in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe are well known for their IT specialists with advanced education levels.
Furthermore, there are tax benefits associated with running part of the business overseas, resulting in lower taxes and increased income.
However, it’s crucial to consider potential challenges, such as communication difficulties due to cultural differences, and security risks, which require companies to create robust contracts and agreements.
Onshoring
Onshoring involves delegating business operations to a company within the same country. This model is useful for companies that want secure and quick solutions for bringing products to market.
It’s a big plus when your team is from your country because they naturally understand your business needs, making work and communication easier.
Also, the legal set-up is good with onshoring – contracts get signed quickly and everyone is aware of the rules and standards in your industry.
However, in onshoring there might be more competition for skilled workers, making it hard to hire tech experts for important roles.
Also, onshoring is much more expensive for software development in certain locations. Local companies might pay two or three times more for SaaS app development services in their own country.
Nearshoring
Nearshoring is a type of offshoring within a three-time-zone radius of your office. Unlike traditional offshoring, nearshoring focuses on minimising time-zone challenges.
On the positive side, nearshoring offers benefits like face-to-face meetings and continuous communication.
Additionally, it promotes cultural compatibility, reducing the risk of language and cultural barriers. Forbes also highlights that nearshoring locations are great for building manufacturing facilities.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Nearshoring is more costly than traditional offshoring, particularly for businesses seeking the latest innovations.
Additionally, not every location has an abundance of tech talent, with some places being less desirable due to limitations in skilled professionals.
Choosing a Saas Development Company: a Step-By-Step Guide
1. Clearly outline your project requirements
To boost your chances of success, it’s important to acknowledge that most tech projects face difficulties, mainly because of inadequate requirements analysis.
Before engaging a SaaS company, clearly define your project needs, including functionality, scalability, security, integration and domain-specific requirements.
This clarity helps assess if the development company aligns with your expectations, preventing issues like wasted time, budget overruns, and delays.
2. Assess the experience of the SaaS development company
A skilled software development provider should have a comprehensive website that showcases their strengths in SaaS product development.
Explore their services pages, case studies and testimonials. Case studies offer valuable insights into the SaaS apps they have created, including the key challenges, the core solutions and the clear, measurable results.
Apart from the company’s website, it’s important to visit their profiles on platforms such as Clutch, UpWork and GoodFirms. If they are absent from these platforms, it may warrant a moment of consideration.
3. Review the company’s technical capabilities and tools
Certainly, you want to create a SaaS product that is high performing, scalable, secure and that can be easily modified and updated. To achieve this goal, it’s important to select a SaaS company that is proficient in the latest programming languages, frameworks and libraries.
For example, if you prefer a server-side use of Python, search for companies that specialise in Python for developing backend apps. A SaaS company’s skill in various technologies directly affects the quality of the SaaS product it can make.
If you are uncertain about defining your technical requirements, do not hesitate to seek SaaS development consulting or engage a technical expert. They can assist you in assessing the scope of your project and even conduct technical interviews.
4. Examine the team structure for effective collaboration
How well your business and the SaaS development team work together is crucial for the project’s success. You can ask about the size and composition of the development team, including the roles of each member.
A well-organised team with diverse skills ensures that your software solutions get the necessary attention and expertise.
When choosing, make sure all necessary roles, like project manager, business analyst, backend developers, frontend developers and QA engineers, are included.
5. Conduct interviews to assess the team’s communication and managerial skills
Effective communication is key to a successful product. Choose a SaaS development company with a clear communication culture, including elements like regular meetings, daily updates and a unified messaging tool.
Conduct interviews and assess how well SaaS software developers explain complicated topics and answer your questions and how ready they are to be truly invested in your project.
Also, choose a SaaS company following the Agile approach, offering rapid development, flexibility, better communication, transparency and risk mitigation.
In the Agile process, team members can continually adjust to challenges as they arise, and clients can communicate consistently through constant feedback.
How to Prepare and Submit Requests to a SaaS Services Provider
Getting ready to engage with SaaS software developers requires a strategic approach that will provide clarity, efficiency and perfect alignment with your business needs.
Here are some key elements to include in your Request for Proposal to kickstart seamless communication right from the outset.
1. Introduction and Background
Briefly introduce your organisation and explain the purpose of the RFP.
2. Objectives and Scope
Clearly state the goals and objectives of the project, outlining the specific tasks and services required.
3. Requirements
Define functional and non-functional requirements, specifying key features, integration needs and compliance requirements.
4. Timeline and Budget
Provide a detailed timeline with milestones and deadlines. State budget constraints and expectations.
5. Terms and Conditions
Include legal and contractual terms, covering aspects like data ownership, confidentiality, and termination clauses.
6. Review Process
Outline the steps and timeline for the review process, indicating when vendors can expect feedback or notifications.
And, of course, don’t forget about contact information or additional documentation that may assist vendors. Customise this template to fit the specific needs of your organisation and project.
A clear and concise RFP streamlines the cooperation process and helps you reach your goals faster.
Top Questions to Ask Your SaaS Services Provider
Making a list of questions to ask a SaaS provider is important to make sure their services match your business needs.
Here are some questions, designed to give a comprehensive understanding of the company’s SaaS development services, ensuring that they meet the technical, operational and financial needs of your business.
1. How does your cloud hosting ensure high availability for our applications?
2. Can you provide a detailed list of integrations currently available in your marketplace?
3. How do you handle data security and privacy in your SaaS offerings?
4. Could you explain your pricing structure and any long-term contractual requirements?
5. What kind of support and maintenance services do you offer with your SaaS products?
6. How user-friendly is the implementation process, and do you provide training for our staff?
7. How does your SaaS solution integrate with our existing on-premises infrastructure?
Final Words
The SaaS development market is growing quickly due to a strong demand for new cloud-based tech solutions. Enterprises, SMBs and start-ups aim to create user-friendly software to transform the market and make the user’s experience more seamless and enjoyable.
We hope our guide on choosing a SaaS product development company will help you find a reliable vendor who can be a long-term partner.
Don’t forget to carefully assess your options before selecting a tech-savvy partner for your project.
Looking for a SaaS product development company with solid expertise? Feel free to contact us at info@computools.com. We’d be happy to discuss your goals and provide an estimate for your project development requirements.
THE AUTHOR:
Computools was selected through an RFP process. They were shortlisted and selected from between 5 other suppliers. Computools has worked thoroughly and timely to solve all security issues and launch as agreed. Their expertise is impressive.