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Software development services for applications and platforms
Software development services help businesses build applications, create digital products and improve existing systems. Application development services can cover product discovery, software architecture, coding, integrations, testing and technical handover.
The employer chooses the talent, agrees the software scope, technologies, deliverables, timeline and rate, then manages the collaboration directly.
What software development services cover
Software development can cover applications, SaaS products, APIs, integrations and existing systems.
Custom software development
Custom software development can address specific business processes, operational requirements or user needs through purpose-built applications and functionality.
Work can include:
- Software requirements definition
- Application features and workflows
- Business logic development
- User-facing functionality
- Internal business tools
- Functional testing
Web application development
Application development services can support browser-based systems for customers, employees or internal operations.
Work may involve user interfaces, application logic, databases, authentication and integrations with existing business systems.
SaaS product development
Software product development services can support SaaS applications, account management, product functionality, integrations and other agreed technical components.
MVP development
Develop a focused first version of a software product with the core functionality needed to explore user needs and evaluate the product direction.
API development
Create or improve application programming interfaces that connect software applications, data sources and external services.
Software and system integration
Connect existing applications, platforms and services so agreed data and business processes can work across different systems.
Legacy application modernisation
Update existing software, improve technical components or adapt applications to newer environments while retaining important business functionality.
Software architecture and design
Define application components, technical structure, interfaces, data flows and architecture decisions that guide software development and integration.
Software project recovery
Review an existing software project that needs clearer direction, technical assessment or additional development work. Identify remaining requirements and agree the next delivery priorities.
When businesses need software development services
Software development can support new applications, existing systems, product changes and additional engineering capacity.
Build a new application or platform
Application development can support customer-facing products, internal business tools, digital platforms and other software that meets defined user or operational needs.
Improve existing software
Development work can introduce new functionality, improve existing features, address technical limitations or connect an application with other business systems.
Add development capacity
Independent software developers can collaborate with an existing technical team when the job requires additional engineering experience or focused delivery support.
Prepare the software requirements
Useful starting information includes:
- Business goals and product outcomes
- Intended users and their needs
- Existing applications and technologies
- Required features and workflows
- External systems and integrations
- Development access and environments
- Expected delivery timeline and priorities
Do not replace your employees. Reinforce them.
Software development scope and deliverables
Agree the software requirements, development work, testing, acceptance criteria and handover outputs.
Discovery and requirements
At the start of the job, the employer and talent can review:
- The business or product outcome
- Existing applications and systems
- User needs and functional requirements
- Technical limitations and dependencies
- Required integrations and APIs
- Development and deployment environments
Software design and development
The talent develops the agreed functionality according to the technical requirements and defined scope.
Deliverables may include application features, interfaces, APIs, integrations, database functionality and configuration changes.
Testing and acceptance
Agree how completed software will be tested, reviewed and assessed against the requirements.
Testing can include functional behaviour, integration checks, error handling and agreed acceptance criteria.
Source code and handover
Where relevant, agree the source code, deployment instructions, technical documentation, configuration details and information needed to maintain or extend the software.
Skills involved in application development
Relevant skills depend on the application, technologies, architecture and required functionality.
Application and product development
Look for experience developing business applications, digital products, web platforms or SaaS software similar to the agreed requirements.
Back-end software engineering
Back-end development can involve server-side logic, databases, APIs, authentication, data processing and communication between connected systems.
Front-end application development
Front-end experience can support user interfaces, application interactions, responsive behaviour, accessibility and integration with back-end services.
Architecture and integration expertise
Some jobs need experience defining technical architecture, connecting applications, reviewing dependencies and making decisions about how software components work together.
Programming technologies and environments
Describe the technical stack and development environment relevant to the job.
For example:
- Programming languages
- Application frameworks
- Database technologies
- Cloud and hosting platforms
- APIs and connected systems
This helps talent understand the technical requirements before applying.
How to describe your software development job
A clear software development job explains the intended application, business outcome, technical environment and required deliverables while leaving room to discuss implementation decisions.
Describe the software outcome
Explain what the application or software should achieve. For example:
- Create an internal business application
- Build features for an existing digital product
- Develop an API for system integration
- Modernise existing application functionality
- Create functionality for a SaaS product
Define the software deliverables
Describe the features, integrations, user flows or technical outputs included in the job.
Identify important acceptance requirements and any dependencies that may affect delivery.
Share the technical environment
Include relevant information such as:
- Existing programming technologies
- Applications and system integrations
- Development and testing environments
- Available technical documentation
- Required access and permissions
- Known technical constraints
Explain the development arrangement
State whether you require:
- A defined application development job
- Development of a new software product
- Additional features for an existing application
- Ongoing software development support
The employer and talent can discuss the requirements and agree the development scope, timeline and rate directly.
How to compare software development proposals
Compare relevant application development experience and discuss how the talent would approach your software requirements, technologies, testing and delivery.
Relevant software development experience
Review previous work involving similar applications, digital products, programming technologies and technical requirements.
Proposed development approach
Ask how the talent would organise requirements, development activities, technical decisions and dependencies.
Integration with existing systems
Discuss how the proposed application will connect with current software, databases, APIs and infrastructure.
Testing and acceptance approach
Agree how features and integrations will be tested and how completed functionality will be reviewed against the expected requirements.
Technical handover and maintenance
Confirm what source code, documentation, configuration information and deployment guidance the employer will receive after delivery.
The VirtualMasst team reviews and approves talent profiles. The employer assesses suitability and chooses the talent for the work.
Cost, timeline and engagement factors
The employer and talent agree the rate directly. Application complexity, existing software, integrations, testing and delivery requirements can affect the work involved.
Application scope and features
Developing one defined feature can involve different work from building a complete application, platform or software product.
Existing codebase and architecture
Working within established software can require additional review of its structure, dependencies, documentation and current behaviour.
Technical and business complexity
Complex workflows, data processing, user permissions and specialised application requirements can affect the development effort.
External and internal integrations
Connecting third-party APIs, business applications or internal services may introduce additional technical requirements and dependencies.
Testing and quality requirements
The number of application features, user journeys, integrations and acceptance checks can influence the required testing work.
Development and deployment environments
Hosting, cloud infrastructure, development environments and deployment requirements can affect the work needed to deliver the application.
Additional software development
Where new features or technical needs arise, the employer and talent can discuss the additional work and agree any changes to the scope, timeline and rate.
VirtualMasst facilitates project pre-funding and payment through Stripe. Current platform charges are listed on Pricing.
Define your software development requirements
Describe the application or platform, target users, business requirements, existing technology and expected deliverables. Post a job and discuss the development approach with relevant independent talent.
You choose the talent, agree the scope, timeline and rate, manage the collaboration and approve the completed work.