Whether you’re developing mapping software for the web or mobile, there are a few fundamental things that you need to know about software development. These rules will help you build something that lasts for years and is not just a short-term project that users give up on after a few months.
Today, we’ll look at how to develop #mapping #software that users will love. Click To Tweet
We’ll unveil the most important things you need to consider before you get started, and some valuable tips on ensuring your software are easy-to-use, fast, and accurate.
Take security seriously (yes, seriously)
Security is everything. It’s not just a one-time thing; it’s a process that you have to think about every time you develop software or make changes to your system. You need to train people who work on your team about security and what they can do for it, and you need to make sure that everyone understands that security matters.
What is DevSecOps? It is the answer to the question: how do we ensure that the software we build is secure from the beginning? When developing mapping software, you must think about security from the beginning. You can’t just add it on at the end and hope that it works; you need to ensure that your developers understand how to write secure code and test for it.
An excellent example of this is the recent Equifax breach, where 145 million consumers had their information stolen by hackers because Equifax failed to take basic precautions like keeping detailed logs or using multi-factor authentication when logging in remotely (which would have blocked access). This could have been prevented if they had taken their security training seriously instead of letting their employees handle the situation themselves with little direction from management.
Make the product the star of your show
As the founder of a mapping software company, you are the star of your show. Your product is one of the only things you can control. It’s what makes you unique. When it comes to investing in something or hiring someone to help build your mapping software product, this should be at the forefront of your mind.
To make sure that you’re doing everything right concerning making sure that your product is going to shine, here are some things that I’d suggest:
● Make sure your team knows what they’re doing about UX design and user testing (or hire someone who does). If people find it difficult or confusing to use, then no matter how great the ideas behind it may be, no one will want anything to do with them.
● Ensure that the UI is clean, simple, and easy to use. Don’t try to overcomplicate things or make them look too fancy; keep it simple. Make sure your product works on all different types of browsers and mobile devices so that everyone who wants to use it can.
The user is always right
You’re going to build a product that people want. One that solves their problems, answers their questions, and makes them happy. You’re going to make cash—and lots of it!
But how?
The answer: Find out what your users want, listen carefully, and give them exactly what they ask for. The best way to do this is through user interviews, surveys, and other forms of research before you even write a line of code.
The technology stack matters
The technology stack is the set of software and hardware used to build a product—it includes things like databases, operating systems, programming languages, frameworks, and libraries. The quality of your tech stack can significantly impact how easily you can develop, test, and deploy your product.
For example, if you want to develop mapping software for iOS devices but are using outdated database technology (e.g., MySQL instead of Postgres), it will be much harder to ensure that your app runs smoothly across all different iOS versions and devices.
Your team culture is more important than you think.
Your team culture is more important than you think. A good team has a culture that reflects the personality of its leader and the goals they want to accomplish. If your company is building a fantastic mapping platform, it should reflect that in your culture.
A great example of this is Amazon’s famous “Amazon Way” — a set of values that includes: customer obsession, ownership, and high standards. These core values are what make Amazon stand out from other e-commerce businesses, and they permeate every aspect of their work life so profoundly that even non-employees can emulate them by purchasing products through their site (and they often do).
In short: Your product will be better when tied to a strong vision with defined objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Build it right and treat software like a product, not a project.
Interactive map-making software is complex, so it’s imperative to plan the project correctly. Start by assembling a team that can deliver on your mapping goals and ensure they have the right technology stack.
Next, don’t rush the process. Building mapping software takes time and money; one must not underestimate either of those things. Make sure that you have enough funding in place before starting work on your app and enough runway between now and the launch date so that nothing gets rushed at the last minute because of budget constraints or other external pressures.
Conclusion
If you build your mapping software right, you’ll have a product that’s easy to use and understand. This can help you attract more customers and keep them coming back for more. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start developing!