In the information age, software is more of a necessity than a luxury for businesses that know their worth. Smart business owners leverage the right software to their advantage and gain an edge over their competitors. They also use the same software to streamline business operations and increase productivity.

A huge chunk of most company’s IT budget goes towards business software procurement. Companies spend thousands of dollars every year on software for businesses. With so much money at stake, it’s more than devastating when a company buys a software it doesn’t need.

That’s why you should only buy business software after much deliberation and after talking to the right people.

To help you out with picking the right business software, we’ve compiled important questions that you should ask to make the right choice.

1. Does Its Features Match Your Business Needs?

Most software that accomplishes specific purposes in business has essentially the same features. For instance, a point of sale (POS) software will read barcodes, give information about the product, add up the total cost of purchase, and print receipts.

Software like bookkeeping software, on the other hand, doesn’t have the same features. While features might vary, some bookkeeping software might have more features than others. Not to say that you should go for the software with the most features.

Find software with features that are specifically useful to your business needs. Look at each feature and see how it fits into your business operations. If the features add value to your business operations and processes, then that’s a software you can invest in.

2. Does the Software Come With a Satisfaction Guarantee?

The software vendor is under no obligation to give you a refund if you’re disappointed with the software. However, some vendors have friendly return policies if you return the software within a specific time. With such vendors, you may be able to get a partial or even full refund for your return.

Always inquire if there’s a guarantee of satisfaction before purchasing any software. That way, you can at least have some assurance that you won’t lose everything should the software fail to convert. Ask if they have a return policy, and what terms dictate the return policy.

It’s harder for custom-developed software developers to accept returns. That’s because it takes a lot of time and effort for the developer to craft the perfect software for you. So if you want a satisfaction guarantee, you’ll have to make it clear in the contract between you and the developer.

3. How Scalable Is the Software?

If your company grows, you want software that grows with your company. That way, you don’t have to spend more cash on software you already have when it’s time to expand. Not only is it expensive, but it also interrupts normal business operations.

To find out whether a business is scalable, you need to consider the following factors:-

If it allows user customization

The software database structure

The software connectivity capability

The software input and output

It will be frustrating when you realize that you’ve outgrown a program and you’ll have to purchase a new one. Before you spend money on software, make sure it’s scalable. It’s easy for custom-developed software to be scalable but not so much for off-the-shelf software.

4. How Long Does It Take to Fix Bugs?

Even the best software have their fair share of bugs and errors, so when your software crashes, you have no reason to panic. What you should panic about, however, is how the developer responds to these bugs and fixes.

Some companies will respond to any bugs or crashes instantly and send a team to address the issue as soon as they can. Others will, however, note down the bugs and fixes you need and schedule a date that is convenient for them to check things out.

You’re better off with a company that responds instantly to bugs and crashes. However, if the software still works as it should, then a few bugs shouldn’t be such a problem. If that’s the case, then it’s quite alright for the company to take their time to fix the bugs

Bug-fixing can happen yearly, bi-annually, or after every three months. The period doesn’t really matter as long as the software company stays true to its word. Make sure you ask for the bug fixes turnaround time and their procedure for fixing bugs.

5. When Is Support Available and How Do They Operate?

Regardless of your IT setup, you might need support at some point to address issues with the software. If your IT department had software developers, you wouldn’t have to outsource for business software. Remember, business software support handles complex issues, not simple ones like how to speed up a mac.

Availability is the most important factor to consider when it comes to support. Support should be available during working hours, if not twenty-four hours a day. Apart from that, you should also find out how support operates and how do they communicate with their clients.

If you’re able to reach support via phone calls and live chat, then the better it is for you. It’s hard to get any help from support if they have to respond through email. Find out everything about support earlier on for some peace of mind when you finally buy the software.

Regular software updates mean the developer is keen about ensuring the users get the best out of the software. Most of these updates also address bugs and errors in the software for an even smoother-running program.

Most business software developers inform their users whenever there’s a new update. Others have mailing lists for customers interested in software updates. Both work fine; just ensure the updates are consistent and actually add value to your company.

The Right Questions Equals the Right Software for Businesses

When it comes to software for businesses, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can. Armed with the above questions, getting the right software for your business will be a breeze.

Always go for custom-developed software if you can match the price. You’re more likely to get what you want with custom-developed software.

Business software isn’t our only area of expertise. For more informative reads on all matters technology and computers, check out the other pieces on the site.