The True Advantages Of Custom Software Development

Home » Business Startups » The True Advantages Of Custom Software Development

• Sasi George
• November 29, 2019

Software development has several verticals such as website development, app development, mobile development, software tools development, API development, cloud computing, embedded systems development, Software tools development, backend development and many more.

The development time taken for each of this is very different. The reason being it depends on the features you want to include, the infrastructure, the scope of the project, and so on.

 

That is why development happens in different stages, with the completion of each depending on its size and complexity. To collate all necessary information could take a couple of weeks or a month, while custom software development would ideally take 6 to 10 months.

Software can be broadly classified into:

1. Custom/Bespoke Software

This kind of software is usually created entirely from the scratch according to the specifications and needs of an organization.

2. Interface Applications

In this kind of software, pre-developed libraries or development code are utilized to reduce repeat code with focus on developing code which caters to certain business needs.

3. Commercial Off The Shelf Software

The resources of a large programming library is put into use in this kind of App development.

To a large extent the type of software a firm decides on will depend on its budget and their specific needs. Custom software is expensive due to the fact that it needs to be created from the scratch.

To give you a few instances wherein firms employ bespoke software are Google, Netflix, Airbnb, or Amazon. These firms would not be able to do without custom software. And we can confidently assume that they have largely benefited utilizing custom software. Any firm can benefit on the long run employing custom software.   

Custom Software Development and Pre-built Software Development

Software development is basically two types:

Custom software development is also recognized as bespoke or personalized.

Off-the-shelf software development is also identified as pre-built or commercial.

Having a clear picture about the features of each will help you decide which one of the two would suit your needs.

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Bespoke or Custom Software Development

Custom software is the process of designing, creating, deploying and maintaining software for a specific set of users, functions or organizations.

And it is created/developed for a particular entity, firm, brand, business, or individual. Also called bespoke software or personalized software. This type of software helps brands on the long run to improve efficiency, productivity, consumer retention, and client relations. And eventually increase revenue because this is the basic objective of development.

The features and functionalities here are geared toward that specific business.

While pre-built software is what you purchase instead of having it made for you. For example you install Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop after you purchase the same online or offline. This is created primarily for general use of a wider audience and can be customized to a certain degree for individual needs.

Another difference between the two is in the price. Pre-built software will be much cheaper as compared to custom software, in the initial costing.

Custom software development firms will provide you support for a long time depending on your contract clauses with new releases. While in pre-built it really depends on the firm that developed the software in the first place. That is whether they are planning further updates or not. Even if they took it up, you would have to pay for it. And you cannot be really sure if the updates would be of use to you.

Also Read: Top 5 Popular Programming Languages Worldover

Advantages of Custom Software Development

1. You can personalize Custom Software to your needs/specifications

Custom software development is done with only your business in mind, which translates to include every aspect that you need to be attended to.

Pre-built software may have some features which will not be of use to you which takes space in your system. And the pre-built software may not have all functionalities to help your business peak productivity.

2.  Scaling on Customized Software is easy

As personalized software is built for specific needs it can integrate with all your business aspects and scale as per the needs of your firm. Brands can be future-ready of such developments later on in time.

3. Personalized Software could work out cost effective on the long run

Pre-built software will be cheaper initially, but if you are in for the long run, this option will not be as cost effective as custom software.

Therefore businesses looking for long term solution is better advised to look at the personalized software option.

Top Trends In The Software Development Industry

4. Custom Software is yours exclusively

Custom software is exclusively yours while pre-built is not a product you own with all its rights. Instead you would be paying a retainer and are obliged by their rules, regulations, features, updates and functionalities. And when you stop using it, your license validity is defunct. But with custom software, the software continues to be yours and you have absolute control on it.

5. Utilize Custom Software for as long as you want

A firm using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software would be at a severe disadvantage if the company that developed it stops supporting the software. The only option then would be to look at other options available in the form of software which further add to your investment of time and money.

While with custom software you can go ahead and communicate with the development firm to get the update/modification done. And you are ready for the future.

6. Custom Software would have better safety features

With any kind of software, security is imperative, especially when it relates to data. Storing of data has government regulations as loss of data could have detrimental effects. And this could cause fall in reputation which could have bad side effects. There are firms that have faced lot of flak for loss of data and finally lost ground to competitors.

Pre-built software is an easier target for hackers and cyber-criminals as it’s widely used and they are well aware of its vulnerabilities. But for custom software only in the case of specific targeting a hacker may try to breach this software.

7. Integrate Custom Software to your specific needs

The communication between the departments in a firm largely decides the firm’s success. The production, marketing, sales, operations, customer-relations, finance and transportation will all have to work in cohesion for the success of a firm. The key to such seamless integration or collaboration and data exchange is exactly what a good custom software solution can provide.

Conclusion Custom Software Development

The trend is clearly moving from pre-built solution to custom software solutions and the above outlined advantages play a huge role in the change that’s occurring.

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How Omnichannel Marketing Gives Amazing Results

Home » Marketing » How Omnichannel Marketing Gives Amazing Results

• Sasi George
• November 27, 2019

A survey conducted by a retail company in the US to understand consumer behaviour by interviewing 45,000 shoppers over a one year period threw up some very interesting information:

• 8% were only-online shoppers
• 20% were store-only-shoppers
• 73% utilized multiple channels to shop

The study revealed that more the number of channels a customer employs to buy a product, the more valuable he becomes to the retailer. It proved that customers who utilise more than 4 channels spent 10% more than those who tapped into a single channel.

Thereby expounding the reality that omnichannel marketing is no longer an option but has to be construed as a strategy. Retailers have to rethink the consumer-lifecycle and find imaginative ways to acquire, engage, and retain customers through innovative experiences across multiple touchpoints.

Newer marketing channels are emerging, therefore it’s high time retailers seriously consider omnichannel marketing strategies against traditional ones.

Omnichannel Marketing Meaning

Most consider Omnichannel marketing as the process of utilizing more than one marketing channel to market your products – which is not so. Very many channels exist nowadays in the marketing environs. And marketers utilize them to send emails, distribute info on social media, send SMS, reach out via PPC and advertise on print. Basically they are having a multichannel pronged approach, but this isn’t omnichannel marketing.

Multichannel gives you the option of multiple touchpoints but it isn’t an integrated and seamless approach that omnichannel provides which is a telling difference. It was noticed that 86% of shoppers usually channel-hop through at least 2 channels before completing a purchase. 85% of retailers recognise this trend and have adopted omnichannel marketing strategy as a vital link in their business process.

With omnichannel a customer can move from one channel to another seamlessly. He receives an email from a brand, there is a flyer in his mailbox, a message that communicates an offer, a push notification reminding the offer, the social media pages give further information on the products available and the App he has downloaded could conclude the sale.

Example For Omnichannel Marketing Trends

Omnichannel marketing creates a positive experience on the whole and this is essential. A customer with a positive feel at every stage of the consumer-lifecycle is not lost but drives sales and builds a positive word-of-mouth for the brand. Imagine a situation where after a tough day in office on your way back you want to have a coffee from Starbucks on the go. But you desist when you realize the time you will have to spend. Starbucks understood the pain point of customers and brought in changes via omnichannel marketing thereby increasing customer satisfaction and enhanced revenue.

Line between Online & Offline Marketing is Blurring

Now you can pre-order that cup of coffee on an App, pay for it and on your way, drop in pick you order and walk away in a jiffy. For Starbucks now mobile payments account 31% of their transactions.

Omnichannel marketing offers brands seamless customer experience that is not interrupted from start to finish. That is from awareness to engagement to purchase. And later on loyalty to future purchases. Omnichannel utilizes multiple channels but the difference is in how the customer espouses his entire marketing experience.

With omnichannel marketing a customer can click on a link in the email on his laptop and decide what to purchase from the information received on social media. He can then put the item in the cart and later on access the cart through an App which is available on his smartphone. He gets a push notification reminding him of the item in the cart when he is within the range of the store. That is what you call an omnichannel marketing experience.

Consumers Yearn For Personalized Service

A consumer greatly benefits from omnichannel marketing as the experience is without any interruptions. Data is shared among all channels so that they do not feel a lag in the service. The icing on the cake is that the brand benefits from more personalized data being shared. With each interaction or transaction on diverse mediums the customer willingly keys in the required data.

It was noted that 48% of shoppers were willing to share personal data in return for personalized service. 60% of that number is made up of millennials. Consumers are willing to share their location and personal details in return for improved service that a brand yearns to deliver.  This will entail personalized emails with recommendations and suggestions targeted to their preferences.

Customer Journey and Omnichannel Marketing

Consider the customer journey before charting an omnichannel marketing strategy. The conversion of a consumer from awareness to being a loyal customer depends on his journey. It has to be a break-free, smooth and seamless with no interruptions or obstacles on the way.

The customer needs and expects the experience to be gratifying. The messaging and finally the purchase has to be seamless all through the cycle. The customer who goes from online research to in-store shopping looks for a similar and personalized experience. This is what makes omnichannel marketing worth emulating. There are innovative ways to get a product or service within the reach of a consumer. But doing it in a strategic, cohesive and seamless manner is imperative to have a successful campaign.

Omnichannel Marketing Definition 

For omnichannel marketing initially you have to create your brand’s presence across multiple channels – online (App, Website, Social Media, Email, SMS) and offline (Shows, Call-centre, Retail stores) channels. This entails a positive and seamless experience throughout a customer’s journey. Businesses have realized that that offering a consistent experience across various touchpoints is imperative. And this will propel the creation of an amazing experience for your clients, enhance your revenue and enliven the ROI.

Once you fathom the significance of omnichannel marketing you can utilize its strengths to create a seamless and positive experience. Here positive and seamless are crucial as 65% of customers cite poor customer experience as reasons for attrition. To gain customers and keep them onboard it is imperative to engage omnichannel marketing. Strengthen your processes to offer a positive experience to your customers all through their journey.

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How Meesho App Assists Small Businesses To Sell

Home » Business Startups » How Meesho App Assists Small Businesses To Sell

• Sasi George
• November 22, 2019

Lots of small and medium businesses in India are selling online. But they don’t own a website. They have a fascinating manner of conducting the business. Most of the selling is done through Facebook and WhatsApp. But gaps in the process are irksome. Those looking to redeem themselves have a saviour in the form of Meesho App.

Firstly the payments, the buyer and seller exchange account details. After a purchase, the buyer completes the payment process and sends the receipt over the seller. Then the seller would ship the product over to the buyer.

Secondly, the seller had to showcase his products. As most folks carry out business on WhatsApp or Facebook, merchants added clients to groups and sent out notifications and images they planned to sell. That’s like 150 notifications a day, which is bothersome. They got spammed and the devices ran out of space.

How Meesho App Works

Now supposing you own a business and create a store on Meesho’s mobile App by linking your firm’s Facebook page. Meesho will create an online store that can be managed from the Meesho App. Now you can update products, edit the store, manage orders, etc. With the Meesho App basic functionalities are taken care by the App itself and leaving the other necessary details to be completed by you.

After that the seller can share these links on Facebook and WhatsApp with consumers. And clients would be able to browse through the products and also communicate with the seller. Sellers get realtime notifications/updates on clients visiting their products and they could initiate a chat on WhatsApp with the clients. Once the client decides on purchasing a product, the seller can share a payment link on WhatsApp and accept payment via any preferred means such as credit card/debit card or wallet.

Sellers can also use the opportunity to inform clients regarding new releases via Facebook Messenger using Meesho’s chatbot automated updates/reviews. Buyers can have a dialogue with merchants before taking a decision. Sellers can give all necessary information and communicate return policy to convince buyers.

Merchants get notifications when buyers visit their site. Sellers can chat with buyers and clear queries. Bargaining is rudimentary for most folks and the chat feature enables merchants to sell efficiently. Traditionally folks prefer buying from small businesses they trust. If merchants are willing to make good any loss incurred caused by the buyer, then consumers are all the more willing to trust merchants. And these businesses build good clientele over WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

These days compared to PC’s there’s more smartphones, but ecommerce is just getting started. And most smartphone sales were done offline. Most people have Facebook or WhatsApp accounts. Hence businesses realized that products could be sold online when Flipkart began doing so. Now it’s pretty much popular. The demand for a product such as Meesho didn’t come up until recently.

 

Meesho App aims to appease few of WhatsApp’s commerce pain points by transferring the buying experience to its devoted mobile shopping app. As of now Meesho claims nearly 50 lakh businesses are selling on its platform right now. But they have not taken this opportunity to monetize but are waiting for volumes.

The platform that small businesses can look forward will be Meesho App as you don’t lose a dime as of now. As of now merchants utilize the platform to sell their wares, but soon Meesho will up the game by moving up the supply chain to assist small businesses to find and source products via the App. Due to high prices and quality issues finding the right supplier has hit a blind spot. Finding a supplier takes time, effort, and patience. As of now Meesho will enable you to set up a platform and sell within hours.