How to Select a Software Company in the United Kingdom?

List of UK-based software companies

What is a software company?

When you need to drive progress of your business operations with a new system that streamlines processes, helps allocate resources and connects all the departments in your organisation, you can entrust all these complex tasks to seasoned programming studios. They come in many forms, from small agencies with core specialists to corporations specialising in custom software outsourcing services with a presence on several continents.

The perks of partnering with them we noted above are only drops in the large ocean of opportunities as such vendors quickly can differentiate your firm, implementing advanced technologies to improve your customer experience as well as providing all the needed licences to operate on the market without fear of regulatory institutions.

Alongside outstanding technology prowess, providers offer valuable domain expertise by studying your competitors, audiences and their lasting demands to produce high-quality outputs that will durably drive profits and loyalty. In the upcoming passage, we are going to discuss the variations of such suppliers.

Types of software firms

The market offers a variety of suppliers, so you can easily choose one who meets your criteria for good cooperation. In the following table, we gathered the most popular studio types with their particulars and perks for you to be aware of your alternatives:

How to decide which type you need to single out? Think about whether you want to partner with a firm that focuses on one aspect. You have the opportunity to locate those vendors who provide only the services you are looking for. Or are you planning to seal a deal with a provider who has a good grasp of essential and advanced technologies? Pick whatever you find satisfying.

What are the key software services provided by vendors?

We touched upon various types of suppliers, however, when it comes to the core offerings they provide, a great deal of them facilitate the following offerings:

• Custom software development. You may want to hire remote backend developers because you came up with a brand new idea that you have never seen in your competitors’ offers. Engineers will realise them with their bespoke solutions. Based on your business requirements, they will accelerate the speed of systems and secure distinctive and worry-free experience.
• Web app engineering. Providers craft high-performing web utilities that behave like native on different platforms. Software companies serve internal business purposes, for example, improving customer relationship management and digitise workflows. They can be designed for your clients so they can get better access to your products and services. Developers fine-tune their processes so they run impeccably.
• Mobile development. Tech trailblazers monitor competitors and engineer native utilities using Swift, Objective-C for iOS, Kotlin, Java, Gradle for Android and React Native, Flutter and Native Script for cross-platform applications. Being experienced at complying with regulations, coders program in a way that they quickly pass the App Store and Google Play regulations and become available for end-users.
• UI/UX design. The interfaces software firms paint are not just visually appealing pictures. Professional specialists plan user interfaces so they follow the logic of customers. They conduct research to define how to place buttons to make the path short and predictable and create reusable UI elements that can be used afterwards when your brand expands.
• Support and maintenance. Your all-in partners take care of a system after launch as well. Everything from tracking bugs, updates, feature enhancements and security tests, coders supervise carefully to ensure standard performance and positive customer feedback. Speaking of the latter, they examine it to identify weak points and change them, putting the expectations and interactions of users first.
• IT consulting. British software companies give advice on how to get the most out of Information Technology. To secure the best outputs, they plan changes, implement new features, customise existing architectures, set configurations and explain how it would be better to migrate to the cloud, integrate enterprise solutions and so on.
• Cloud solutions. As businesses grow and their buyer base and operations extend, they require storage for their data, which will be efficient and available but don’t need to take up big spaces in offices. Vendors help such entities connect to the cloud and choose the strategies that secure first-class protection, smooth integration and effortless usage.

Entrusting your business digitalisation to groundbreaking providers is not about following the trend or switching operations to the space where your customers are. It is about widening your opportunities, reaching more audiences, streamlining routine processes and eliminating monotonous work for employees and human errors. You obtain instruments that help you optimise resource allocation.

How to choose a software agency based in the United Kingdom?

Cooperation with top companies is a responsible task that will ultimately affect the final outcome of your project. Choosing the right partner requires preparation and understanding of what crucial criteria to look at.

Many tiny details and red flags may affect the partnership process. Therefore, we developed a step-by-step review strategy and analysed the questions you must ask a company during the first meeting. So, let’s walk through all the steps together:

• Define the goals. Before the first meeting with a potential candidate, you should define the project goals and requirements. Further, it will eliminate the possibility of poor results and won’t cause a doubled budget.
• Use a list of potential partners. A selection of software companies in England will make reviewing relatively simple. We selected potential partners with real testimonials, including ratings, and identified their expertise so you can better understand the details of the collaboration process.
• Check the portfolio. An essential part of choosing the most reliable software development company in the UK for your project is to check if developers have relevant experience in your industry or have worked on similar projects. You can do so by checking a portfolio of works on their website. They are usually called “Our projects,” “Our works,” or “Case studies.”
• Pay attention to the location. Some clients look to collaborate on-site with a software company in the UK. It will give you the opportunity to travel to the main office and communicate face-to-face with the team.
• Choose the right tech stack. If you clearly understand what kind of technology your project needs, you can focus on companies specialising in them. Some agencies assign full-stack developers according to the project’s requirements.
• Go for security. Protection is a vital part of any product and must be appropriately handled by the agency of your choice. Make sure that the vendor you hire possess knowledge to integrate security mechanisms effectively.
• Agree on workflows and communication. The nuances of the SDLC will determine how frequent and transparent the communication between you and the team will be. You, the services provider, and their PM must agree on how regularly you will set up calls to provide updates on the project.
• Get recommendations. Lastly, you can ask your colleagues whether they’ve worked with software agencies and if they can recommend any. Based on their experience, you can evaluate if the firm can be helpful for your project. Sometimes, feedback from a colleague collaborating with a particular company can be more comprehensible than the most detailed review.

Remember that when choosing a vendor, always come through a so-called introductory call. Such calls are crucial to understanding whether a provider will make a good partner for your project.

During the first call, you can share your plans and ideas for the project and get to know the company’s capabilities and work practices better.

Additionally, we outlined a few warning signs to keep in mind to filter out unsuitable candidates when reviewing UK software companies. Let’s walk through them together.

Red flags to avoid when opting for a partner

While assessing Made-to-Order software companies, there are several vital points to consider that may be suspicious or hint that the company is unreliable. It’s best to look out for risk indicators, such as:

1. The cheapest options are rarely good. As the saying goes: buy cheap, buy twice. You can lose more money if you hire another organisation to fix the mistakes of the previous one, or if the agency offers you only a basic set of functions and for extra ones, you’ll need to pay more.
2. Companies without websites may be frauds. Make sure that your partner has a strong online presence with at least a few case stories and technologies on their website to ascertain that they are real. Otherwise how can you decide if they possess the necessary skills?
3. Poor or absent customer reviews are signs that the team needs to be more trustworthy. Before signing a contract, find at least a few testimonials on independent websites like Clutch of GoodFirms.
4. A lack of an ownership agreement can be dangerous. Before you settle on a provider, ascertain that the code will belong to you and that it will be included in your contract.
5. Delayed responses at the beginning can continue after. If you need to wait many hours or even days to get answers to your questions without any explanation, the same can happen during your partnership with reports and clarifications.

Single out the safest option and synergise with a supplier that inspires you but does not disturb you.

Benefits of working with a UK software company

The true worth of partnership with a proven industry leader is in the clear requirement and meeting expectations. Now, we invite you to look at how British vendors adhere to this formula and what they have to offer for stability:

• Secured collaboration

The UK commercial law protects you against potential threats. First, it dictates that contracts should be well-designed and include lines about ownership, warranties, liabilities and data breaches. The apps necessary must comply with the Data Protection ACT 2018.

The contracts signed with IT companies in England are enforced far from the United Kingdom, encompassing the EU, the US and many other countries. It is widely accepted that if something goes wrong, you are not alone in dealing with the consequences because of the risk mitigation tactics.

• High-quality deliverables

US organisations, such as Sachin Dugal, moved their operations to harness the power of UK software companies who perfected their machine learning and AI knowledge. Microsoft has opened their hub here because of expertise in emerging innovations.

Additionally, we can’t bypass such advantages as a meticulous attitude to regulatory compliance. If you join efforts with a British vendor, you’ll receive a program that aligns with GDPR, WAGS 2.1, FCA and NHS regulations perfectly which will simplify expanding your presence on demanding markets.

• Common time zone

Partnering with a feature-ready distributor, you won’t need to worry about overpaying for the team being available during your business hours. That will easily help you connect with them when you have a question instead of waiting until the next day.

It is also significant for a strong team integration, so your own employees will be able to communicate the issues and receive immediate feedback. Nothing will complicate call scheduling, reporting and checks.

• The same language

Establishing a partnership with an agency, you will avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding. You won’t encounter a situation where a developer creates one feature instead of another because of unclear objectives.

It won’t take too much time to define whether your transformation assistants and you are on the same terms. It would be wrong to say that it is always expected when you contract out the biggest software companies in offshore zones as many of them possess excellent language skills. However, by synergising with a local provider, you automatically pass this inconvenience.

• Strong industry expertise

When it comes to the fintech and healthcare domain, British suppliers demonstrate competitive advantages. Speaking of the systems fused with AI technology, UK-based studios have become tech superpowers, according to Entrepreneur.

Experience working with enterprises from Fortune 500, skill to scale businesses to enter domestic and international markets, strong background backed by a high level of education and data-driven approaches followed by a plethora of providers are ingredients of a secret sauce of distinctive results.

Shortly, by connecting with British firms, you benefit from out-of-the-ordinary industry expertise, experience meeting regulatory standards, a knack for groundbreaking technology and clear communication.

How much does a custom software company charge?

Many clients have an essential question: what is the engineering cost in the UK? In reality, the price of services varies greatly, and many factors affect the expenditure of developing bespoke outputs. Some of them are:

• The scope of the project. The requirements and business goals you want to achieve will determine how your project is planned, managed, and delivered.
• The complexity. More complex deliverables with custom features and components or requests like consultancy will require more time and resources.
• The technology stack. Some tech used by top software companies may be more expensive or require more expertise than others.
• The timeline. The time needed to deliver outcomes will also affect the price, as carry-outs with shorter deadlines may require more resources to complete in a shorter period and can cost more.
• The team’s size and experience. A larger group with more seasoned and skilled developers and project managers will likely cost more. Still, it will result in a better quality of work.
• The agency’s location. Distributors from larger cities tend to charge more than vendors from smaller towns. Collaborating with a remote vs. on-site team can also influence the cost.

The pricing models of a particular studio can also play a role. Most software companies in the UK charge hourly, while others offer fixed-price contracts for specific services like crafting mobile platforms. In the latter format, the organisation and the customer agree on the price upfront, which remains unchanged.

Most agencies offer collaboration starting with a minimum project size. Based on reviewing over 50 of the largest suppliers and their profiles on reviewer websites, the expenditure plan for a minimum project size starts at £4,000.

Generally, you should carefully analyse the cost and value ratio of firms for their services. It’s most reasonable to discuss the contract terms before making any commitments.

Average rates for software developers in the UK

Below, we outlined the hourly rates of programmers depending on the level of their proficiency. We took average prices that can vary from one vendor to another.

A project workforce typically consists of several middle and junior specialists who embed features and streamline operations and a senior who plans, strategises and supervises their work. Of course, if a project is enterprise-scale, the team is bigger and involves more experts.

Hidden costs to watch out for

It can be that top software companies in the UK charge £200 – £300 per hour, while others stick to £50 – £99. Both options are common and approached. However, when you find something very different from the market realities, it can mean that the bills may not incorporate significant parts of engineering and it may even hide the following extras:

Additionally, to avoid unexpected budget expansions, be watchful of the following when choosing a software provider:

• Too cheap quotes. When you ask several vendors to provide their estimates regarding your project and receive one or two that are twice lower than the others, it can be a bait and switch. The initial proposition may not include management fees, maintenance and training. Or, for example, you won’t own the outputs entirely.
• Make sure that everything is written. A handshake deal is not a safe one. Your legal agreement will prevent the violation of the terms. It will secure your rights concerning ownership, risk mitigation, reworks, and post-launch support.

Now, you are aware of potential threats that can sometimes significantly affect your outlay. We invite you to look at the topics you can discuss that will touch all aspects of collaboration.

What questions to ask software agencies before hiring?

There are so many aspects of collaboration that a supplier can’t publish everything, as it will create only more questions and will take you hours to study each company. Clarifying particulars, you don’t only receive answers but can assess their communication abilities and look deeper than if you found some notes on a website.

We collected the aspects that are important to be settled.

Core questions

What is your technology stack?

The best software companies in the UK provide comprehensive services as we described above. To deliver a great variety of them, they need to have an advanced tech suite. Ascertain that your partners have polished their knowledge of SQL and non-SQL databases, CSS, HTML and JavaScript for front-end, Java, Python, Go, Node.js and C++ for back-end and Amazon, Azure, Docker and Kubernetes for Cloud.

Could you describe your engineering process in detail?

A reliable agency has a refined approach regarding each phase of development. Make sure that your future technology partners have polished their delivery methodology and that it includes all necessary steps, encompassing planning, testing, quality assurance, support after deployment and reporting. Having received proof of software companies’ extensive tech expertise and a well-thought-out work approach, you’ll eliminate multiple hardships in the future.

Would you be able to provide 2 or 3 references for us to contact?

Case studies are essential. We haven’t collected vendors who didn’t have at least a few of them. Unfortunately, they don’t often highlight all particulars of cooperation, such as communication style and possible misalignments. Ask whether the supplier can connect you with people who have already partnered with them to find out more about them.

Will we sign an NDA before the cooperation?

If you don’t want your partnership to be disclosed to third parties, then you need to sign a non-disclosure agreement with your provider. Speaking of this document, you can clarify whether a studio follows this practice, what is included in it and what is considered confidential — find out about the entire scope. The same is applicable to its duration (it must be well-defined). Don’t forget to make it clear whether both parties must follow this agreement.

Will I communicate with the team, or will there be a responsible manager?

Some software providers assign a project manager who controls all operations and connects with you to report on the process and ask questions. Others link you with the entire crew who are involved in your venture. You can find those suppliers who offer flexible terms, but if you have a specific way of collaboration, discuss it in advance.

If you want to learn everything about a firm and leave no stone unturned on the administrative and engineering sides, we have outlined additional questions that will help you explore more:

Business questions

Highlighting the topics gathered below will shed light on your innovation enablers’ approaches to work and the scale of its refinement:

1. What do you do when the project does not go according to plan?
2. What is unique about your firm?
3. How easy is it to upscale the team?
4. Do we select developers?
5. Do you have experience in my industry?

With the answers at your hand, you’ll know more about team assembling, be aware of how to reduce or multiply the number of engineers, and be sure that the vendor possesses the domain knowledge.

Technical questions

Test their understanding and skills in your dialogue. A well-versed tech guru is capable of explaining the fine points of their workflow and go the extra mile regarding the full scope of delivery:

1. Do you test the software before and after launch?
2. How do you ensure the quality of deliverables is good?
3. How do you secure a scalable architecture?
4. What protection mechanisms do you implement?
5. What does your post-launch support include?

The more matters are crystal clear, the easier it will be to set engineering into motion without delays and misunderstandings.

Looking for a reliable software provider?

Choosing the most suitable partner for your project is a significant task since it’s essential to consider various factors when evaluating potential candidates. Remember to emphasise the company’s experience and expertise in your industry and analyse their track record of delivering high-quality features.

Since you will work closely with the team, you should cooperate with the right company to build a trusting and long-term relationship. So, choose the vendor whose ethics align with your values and priorities.

If you are looking for a reliable UK software company with a senior team to work on your project, consider contacting us. At Limeup, we help enterprises and startups worldwide bring their ideas to reality. We are a dedicated team of skilled specialists with significant experience creating impactful digital solutions.

Connect with Limeup and let’s discuss how we can collaborate to develop competitive systems that meet your business needs.