Reasons Not To Be Afraid of the Word “Software”

The word “software” can be frightening, particularly if you consider yourself a non-techie. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Learn to embrace technology by taking away the mysticism and understand the only thing to fear is fear itself.

Sound cliche? It’s actually good advice when you’re diving into a subject you know very little about. To help remove the mystery from web and app development, here are 5 reasons you should embrace software instead of running from it.

1. The techie within you might be dying to get out.

Just because you have zero tech skills doesn’t mean you have to remain that way. Dive in and get your feet wet by learning about software and how it’s made. You won’t become an expert overnight, but you might be able to communicate better with the developer you choose to work with.

You can learn to code from a variety of free and low-cost websites, such as Code Academy, Khan Academy, HTML5 Rocks, CodeWars and Coursera.

2. You only need a good idea and a basic vision.

Software developers are not mind readers, but they can help you clarify what your end result should look like. That being said, you should still have a clear vision of the website or app you plan to build before approaching a developer. Use a prototyping software tool to lay out the various pages and functions of your site or the design of your app; or sketch it on paper if the concept of prototyping software scares you.

You don’t need to know anything about web or software development to have a great idea, but you do need to effectively communicate your idea with the developer you plan to hire.

3. The ideal developer will help you out.

Let your developer worry about the technology aspect of your project. Your job is to find a developer you can trust and communicate with freely. While the process may seem tedious, it is important to conduct a thorough interview.

Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions and spend a few days just talking before you commit to any single service provider. It is far better to take your time with the selection process than it is to fire and rehire once the job is already underway.

4. You should focus on results, not the technology itself.

Your website or app started out as an idea to help make life easier for your organisation. Never stray from this concept. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the bare bones of it all. But if you can keep your focus on the impact of the software and not on the technology itself, your idea will be more likely to come to fruition.

5. Input and feedback from users will keep you on the right track.

The best people to judge how well your website or app is coming along are the people using it. Find a select group of beta testers and get their feedback early and at various stages throughout the development process. They are the ones you’re working to please and the more information you glean from them as your project progresses, the better.

Don’t allow the word “software” to frighten you. At the end of the day, the concept behind that scary word is just a means to an end; it’s the method of getting your idea out to the masses. The sooner you embrace technology, the sooner your web development project will get off the ground and become successful.

Want more insight into the world of technology even if you consider yourself to be technically challenged? Contact us today and free the inner techie within you.