Create software may seem reserved for experienced developers, but today, there are accessible solutions that allow you to design a custom application or program, even without coding.

In this article, we will see why create software, what are the 10 steps keys to achieving this and why it can be wise to call on a professional specialized in optimizing your project and guaranteeing an effective result.

Why create software?

Creating software is much more than developing a simple computer program: it is designing a tailor-made solution capable of meeting a specific need. In a world where digitalization is accelerating, software development plays an essential role in automating tasks, simplifying processes and saving precious time on a daily basis.

Are you an entrepreneur? Creating software not only optimizes productivity, but also reduces the long-term costs of your business. Rather than adapting to generic tools that are often limited, software developed specifically for your needs integrates perfectly with your activity. For example, a billing software or an internal monitoring tool can transform the way you work by centralizing information and streamlining communication.

Is it possible to create software for free and easily?

We often talk about creating software for free and easily, but in reality, developing software always involves certain costs, whether financial, technical or human. Even if free tools exist, such as open source platforms or software development environments such as GitHub or Visual Studio Community, they require time, skills and sometimes additional resources for hosting, design or maintenance.

To create your own software, you will either have to get your hands dirty or call on a freelance software developer.

So the real question is not how to create software for free, but how to do it economically and efficiently. By clearly defining your idea, identifying user needs and choosing the right method: no-code, low-code or classic development (Python, Java, C#), it is possible to limit expenses while obtaining a professional result.

In the next section, let's discover together the 10 key steps to create software simply and inexpensively, without compromising quality or performance.

How to create software in 10 steps?

1. Define the goals of your software

Before starting your software development, it is crucial to clearly define the objective of your software:

  • Who is it for?
  • What features should it have?
  • What problems does it need to solve?

Useful software is one that will be used to accomplish a task that improves or facilitates the lives of people, businesses, etc. Do programs of this type already exist? Can they be improved? Do they have any flaws? The answers to these questions will allow you to visualize the functionalities to be planned to meet the needs of future users.

2. Choose the language in which to develop the software

Once the objectives are defined, you will be able to select the language best suited to your software or application, with some being better suited to certain tasks. The choice also depends on the skills of your team, the budget, the available documentation, the developer community and the ease of maintenance and evolution.

Choose language that matches both the needs of the project and the skills of your team.

Get advice from a professional developer to choose the development language for your software.

Do you want to find a freelance web developer specializing in a specific programming language? Here is the list of technologies suitable for creating software, but not only:

3. Determine the software architecture

Once you have chosen your language, design a detailed software architecture describing the structure of the system:

  • Components and subcomponents : Identify the major parts of the system and their subdivisions (e.g. user management: authentication, authorization);
  • Classes and objects : For object-oriented systems, define classes, objects, properties and methods;
  • Algorithms : Specify the necessary algorithms for each component;
  • Technologies : Choose the tools and technologies for each component (databases, frameworks, languages);
  • Interfaces : Describe how the components communicate with each other (inputs, outputs, protocols);
  • User interface (UI) : Design the layout and navigation of the interface;
  • Error handling and security : Plan for error management and identify points requiring security reinforcement;
  • Performance : Optimize the architecture to ensure efficiency and speed (data structures, queries, etc.).

Consider documenting the architecture in a way that different stakeholders can understand and follow it. This may include creating flowcharts, UML diagrams, schematics, and other explanatory documents. Also produce detailed documentation for each component: complete descriptions of business logic, algorithms, data structures, etc.

4. Create software: Don’t neglect design

Once the foundations and structure of your software have been established, it is time to give your creation a real coat of light. Many applications or tools fail to appeal to their audience due to a lack of design, responsiveness or usability.

This step is crucial and requires attention to detail and rigor. Each graphic element must be tested, retested and integrated into an elegant interface to optimize the user experience. The choice of colors, the arrangement of elements, navigation and interactions contribute to creating a positive and lasting effect on the user.

If you are not a designer, several solutions exist for outsourcing this task. For example, you can call on a UI designer on Codeur.com to guarantee optimal and pleasant use of your software or application.

5. Implement the code and integrate the software components

You can now start implementing your code following the guidelines established during the architecture step.

Remember to follow good coding practices to maintain modular, readable and reusable code.

For each individual component, perform unit tests to verify whether it works correctly in isolation.

Gradually integrate the different components of the software, testing as you go. Make sure the entire system is working properly.

6. Test your software again and again!

Even after completing the code, your creation is not yet ready: the testing stage is therefore crucial. Verify that your tool or application meets the requirements, detect bugs and make necessary corrections to ensure smooth use and a pleasant effect for the user.

Working with a freelancer specializing in software development allows you to identify problems invisible to a single glance and to propose relevant solutions. You can also upload your code to GitHub to submit it to the developer community, get feedback and improve your technical choices in order to optimize your application.

7. The deployment phase

The deployment stage is critical because it marks the transition from development to actual use of the software. Careful planning and effective coordination are necessary to ensure a successful deployment and positive user experience.

So carefully prepare your software to be used in a real environment, by its end users:

  • Create installation packages to facilitate deployment on end-user systems;
  • Configure the servers: make sure everything is ready for production (databases, web servers, security settings, etc.);
  • Migrate the data to the production environment, if it is not already done. Make backups as a precaution.

In some cases, it may make sense to roll out the software gradually to users to quickly detect issues and resolve them before a full deployment.

8. Think about protecting your creation

The ideas that come from your brain belong to you. As the designer of software, you are considered its author and are therefore its owner until 70 years after your death.

In order to avoid any problems in the event that your software is plagiarized, it is necessary that you can prove that you are the author. To do this, nothing could be simpler: simply send yourself a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt in which you describe your creation. Keep the envelope sealed: this will prove the date of creation of the software to the authorities.

You can also submit a request on the website of the Agency for the Protection of Programs (APP), a European organization which manages these types of questions.

9. Sell your software

To put your software Or application available, create a personal site or publish it on Google Play or the App Store. Inform your users of new features via a communication campaign and, if necessary, call on a freelance communications consultant.

Don't forget to include instructions for use and, if necessary, offer short training to ensure optimal use and collect feedback on your V1.

10. Offer regular maintenance and updates

Even after your software or application is sold, your work continues. Monitor usage, quickly fix issues, and provide regular updates. Add new features according to user needs and adapt the software to technological developments to guarantee an optimal experience.

How much does it cost to create software?

You now know the 10 main steps to create your tailor-made software. In terms of costs, it depends on your development strategy: develop it internally and multiply the licenses used by your employees or call on a specialized freelancer.

To know how much does software costdo not hesitate to request quotes from several providers and compare the quotes.