Introduction
One of the pivotal decisions you'll face early on when launching a startup is choosing the right set of technologies and tools to bring your vision to life. This choice will significantly influence not just the implementation of the MVP, but also the future of your company.
It's crucial to understand the landscape of software development to take strategic decisions. In this article, we're going to cover a few considerations that can help you make better-informed decisions about your tech stack, setting the foundation for a robust and successful business.
Working, before scalable
Let's talk about building a software product. It's like when you first learn to drive — you don't jump straight into a Formula 1 car. You start with something manageable, that you can handle and change at a low cost. The same goes for your app or platform. Sure, you've got big dreams of it handling millions of users and floods of data, but let's start where you are, not where you think you'll be in five years.
The reality is that systems complexity and its cost grow exponentially with scalability.
Most startups never hit the numbers they dream about at the start. They get caught up making this tech masterpiece that's supposed to handle everything thrown at it. But here's the kicker: they spend so much time building they forget to check if it's something people actually want and pay for (product-market fit).
So, what's the move? Start simple. Get a version that works and get it into the hands of a few users. See if it sticks. It's like testing the waters before you go all in. This way, you can tweak and change course without burning through cash or time.
Build a skateboard first, not a spaceship. Get to that sweet spot — product-market fit — and then, only then, start thinking about scaling up to the stars.
—> Start lean, nail your product-market fit, then scale with confidence.
Your team knowledge
Let's talk about your team — the people who are going to give life to the digital dream. You might have heard about the latest tech out there, promising the moon. But here's the thing: the best tool for the job is the one your team can wield like a lightsaber, not the one that's still in the box with the instructions.
You could go with the flashiest new programming language or framework, but if your team is scratching their heads trying to figure it out, you're going nowhere fast. It takes years to master a new technology or framework.
It's about what they can make now, not what they could do maybe, someday, after a lot of practice and a few miracles. Stick with what your team knows well.
—> Play to your team's strengths. Familiar tools can craft extraordinary things much faster than the shiny new tech.
Knowledge scalability
Here's the lowdown on picking tech that won't just be a flash in the pan: you want something that's got staying power. Developers are like gold dust — hard to find and valuable. And if you're hunting for a wizard in some obscure tech magic, you're going to have a tougher time.
You want to build your house with bricks that everyone knows how to lay. There's a reason why everyone uses them — they're reliable, and there's plenty of bricklayers around. If you go for some exotic material, sure, it might look fancy, but when you need a repair or an extension, you're stuck waiting for that one expert who's booked out for months, asking an extraordinary compensation.
So, what's the game plan? Pick a technology that's got a crowd behind it. Open source is your friend here. It's like having a huge team of collaborators all over the globe, and you don't have to worry about one company holding the keys to your kingdom.
—> Build on a popular technology, and you'll never be stuck waiting for a specialist or exploding your budget.
Ask experts and advisors
Let's face it — you might not have all the answers or skills in-house to get your tech just right. And that's normal. It's like when you're trying to fix something at home; sometimes you need to call in a pro to avoid turning a small problem into a disaster. This is where it pays to have a chat with who has been around the block, who saw what works and what doesn't. They're the ones who can spot a potential pitfall from a mile away and give you the shortcuts to skip right past it. It's like having a guide in a jungle; they help you avoid the quicksand and find the path to the treasure.
At 5w155 SA, we're that expert you call when you need to make sure you're on the right track. We've got the battle scars from building all sorts of apps and platforms, and we're more than happy to share the knowledge. We can help you figure out the nuts and bolts of your system, and we're here to help you put together a dream team that can turn your vision into reality.
—> A little wisdom from experts can save you a ton of time and money.
