Q: What is bespoke software development?

A: Bespoke software development is the process of creating custom software tailored to the specific needs and requirements of a particular customer. This is in contrast to off-the-shelf software, which is pre-built and designed for the general mass-market. Bespoke software is often used by businesses to automate internal processes, integrate with existing systems, or gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Q: What are the benefits of bespoke software development?

A: Bespoke software development offers a number of benefits over off-the-shelf software, including:

  • Tailored to specific business needs: Bespoke software is designed to meet the unique needs of a particular customer, providing a more efficient and effective solution than off-the-shelf software.
  • Integration with existing systems: Bespoke software can be designed to integrate with existing systems, making it easier to use and manage.
  • Competitive advantage: Bespoke software can give businesses a competitive advantage by providing unique functionality or automating processes that are not available in off-the-shelf software.

Q: How does the bespoke software development process work?

A: The bespoke software development process typically involves several stages:

  1. Requirements gathering: The first step is to understand the customer's specific needs and requirements for the software.
  2. Design and planning: Next, the software is designed and a plan for development is created.
  3. Development: The software is then developed and tested.
  4. Deployment: The software is deployed and made available for use.
  5. Maintenance and support: The software is then maintained and supported to ensure it remains up-to-date and continues to meet the customer's needs.

Read our How We Work page for more details.

Q: Am I stuck with you should I want to change things later?

A: Absolutely Not, we do not lock customers into using our service when creating custom software. The software created for our customers is theirs to use as they please, and they are free to take their software elsewhere (another developer, software house or hosting provider) if they choose to do so. 

Q: Will you hand over the copyright of a custom software project?

A: Yes, handing over the copyright of a custom software project is an option for customers, but it can add costs and complexity to the project. Most customers opt for a non-expiring license instead, as this license gives the customer the right to use the software they had built forever. 

You can read more about why here: Who owns my custom software?

Q: How do you ensure the quality of the custom software you develop?

A: We have a quality assurance process in place to ensure that the software we develop meets the highest standards of quality. This includes testing the software at various stages of development, as well as conducting user acceptance testing with the customer to ensure it meets their needs and expectations.

Q: How do you handle maintenance and support for custom software?

A: We provide ongoing maintenance and support for the custom software we develop. This includes providing bug fixes and updates to the software, as well as helping the customer with any issues that may arise. We also offer a warranty period for the software and will fix any issue that may arise during this period.

See our Hosting and Maintenance page for more details. 

Q: How long does it take to develop custom software?

A: The time it takes to develop custom software can vary depending on the complexity of the project. We will provide an estimate of the development time based on the requirements and will keep the customer informed throughout the development process.

Please note that this FAQ is just a general guide and the specifics of the custom

Q: How much does it cost to produce custom software?

A: It depends (I know it's a horrible answer). The table below however gives a couple of examples and the likely budget range you might need depending on complexity. 

Size

Examples/Possible Features

Estimated Budget

Small Project/Website

Brochure Website, wireframe prototypes, short pieces of interactive e-learning content

£2,500 to £12,000

Small Web App

Custom CRM solution with a small number of users with just one or two different user roles. One or two third-party integrations.

£5,000 to £50,000

Large web or mobile app

Custom app with two or three different user roles, multiple users and more complex business workflow with built-in custom reporting. Multiple third-party integrations.

£25,000 to £150,000

Large multi-phase web app

A multi-function system, with CRM, extensive reporting, complex business workflow, multiple different user roles and potentially hundreds of registered users

£75,000 to £300,000

FAQ