There’s no getting around the fact that your development team won’t publish a bug-free program the first time around. When the average bugs per 1000 lines of code can reach up to 50, the chances are good that there will be at least one issue. The question is, do you have a process in place to find these bugs and get rid of them?

You can’t underestimate the importance of software testing to the app development process. That’s why finding the right software testing services is essential. Keep the seven factors below in mind during your search for a software testing company to help.

1. Testing Experience

It isn’t enough to be a great software developer when it comes to testing. You may be able to build complex applications, but it takes another skill set to test programs for flaws.

That’s why finding a testing service with enough testing experience is essential. You need someone with the right expertise to do testing right.

If you work with a full-service development company, you’ll need to ensure they have a dedicated team for this process. Some companies try to get away with having their developers do it themselves. Otherwise, they’ll need testing services of their own.

If you handle development yourself, you’ll need to find a company dedicated to testing. Luckily, there are many out there for you to choose from.

2. Testing Frameworks

There are many ways you can test software these days. With so many popular programming languages, you have a large choice of tools designed specifically for technology stacks.

You’ll need a development company that can handle both user testing and your chosen tech framework. In most cases, your testing company will use unit testing to run code tests. There are only a few popular unit testing frameworks for each language, so learn which ones to look for during your search.

User testing also requires some tech know-how. You’ll need to set up your manual testers with the right technology to handle testing. Make sure your testing company has the equipment necessary and the tools to track the testing process.

3. Test Scaling

There’s no getting around change when you’re creating a software product. The app you initially create likely won’t be the one you end up with after everything is said and done. You’ll need to make changes to meet the needs of your users.

The question is, will your testing company be flexible with your terms? The last thing you want to happen is to have your software change and a testing company that won’t agree to work with the new changes.

Check with your testing company to see how willing they are to adapt to software changes. Your contract needs to include the scope of all services involved, so everyone knows what can change and how much change is acceptable.

4. Intellectual Property Protection

Some apps are so simple that it doesn’t matter who knows how they work. Calculators are a great example. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to create an app that adds numbers together.

However, some applications are much more complex and require more know-how to make work. If you have one of these apps, the last thing you want is for someone to steal your idea.

Before you work with a testing firm, you need to know that they’ll protect your app’s secrets. This includes both the idea for the app and how it works behind the scenes. A reputable testing firm like Quality Logic should have no issue signing an NDA to guarantee confidentiality.

5. Security

The chances are good that your testing company will be privy to sensitive information about your company. They’ll need to know this information if you want them to do their job well. While you may be able to trust them not to spill the beans themselves, that doesn’t mean a hacker will never breach their company network and steal your data.

You need to ensure that any testing company you work with has the correct security procedures in place. This is even more important when you’re dealing with web software. It’s easy to miss a small detail that opens up your whole company to attack.

6. Reporting

Even if a testing company does a great job, that work isn’t worth much if they can’t correctly communicate problems. You need to be on the same page with your software testing company. If you aren’t, you won’t be able to take advantage of their services fully.

You need to learn about the company’s reporting to ensure it fits in with your development process. Your developers need to be easily able to read the reports and respond to problems.

It’s also essential to make sure that you get your reports on time. You don’t want to wait forever to get the results from testing. The chances are good that you’re on a timeline, so you don’t want to be kept waiting in the dark.

7. Customer Testimonials

You’re going to be working with your testing company for a while. It can often take months to build and launch a new app successfully. The last thing you want to do is waste time on companies that can’t handle the job.

You can narrow down your company choices to good ones by looking for past customer testimonials. It’s easy to find online reviews on Google for every company imaginable, so that’s the first place to start.

Once you start interviewing testing companies, ask to speak with past customers. By doing this, you can learn more about how a testing company handles its job and if it can meet your needs.

Not All Software Testing Companies Are Created Equal

The software testing process is a crucial part of launching successful business software. If you launch buggy software that doesn’t produce results for your users, your company will lose confidence and money. Keep the factors above in mind to find a testing company that can help you launch a great app.

Of course, you’ll need to know more about the whole app development process if you want to find success. Check out the blog to learn more.