Planning:

Do you actually need a bespoke software solution?

There are lots of purpose built off-the-shelf software packages, built for a variety of businesses.  It is well worth evaluating these as well as talking to a bespoke developer.

Your business comes first

When evaluating off-the-shelf software, remember that the software should fit your business, not the other way round.  Businesses that purchase software, then adapt their processes to fit that software are taking the wrong approach.

What makes you think you need bespoke software

Consider what you’re looking to achieve.  No point in buying software just for the sake of it.  Don’t buy software just to automate a single, possibly inefficient or unnecessary process.

Talking to a software developer:

Do they have experience in the creative industry?

A company whose experience is in general B2B are less like to have in-depth knowledge of the creative industry, and how creative agencies operate.

Set a realistic budget

Bespoke software is written solely for you, and should not be considered a cheap option.  Whilst