How to Choose the Top IT Company in Ukraine

Over the past few years, the IT services in Ukraine have continued to soar. Not only are increasingly more companies around the world choosing to outsource to Ukraine, but the country is also investing more in their IT market, encouraging upskilling current talent and spending more on educating rising talent. As a result, Ukraine has seen a major increase in IT companies. With such a large selection to choose from, businesses may find it difficult to pick the right company. 

With the strong competition among modern businesses, it’s important to invest in the best company for IT managed services. So, how do you choose the right company for your IT needs? Not all the companies in Ukraine will be equally good. So, you must follow certain steps to choose the best company for your unique project.

Before we look into the most effective ways how to choose a software development partner in Ukraine, let’s have a look at why Ukraine is the most beneficial region to source talent: 

Why Ukraine Is One of the Most Popular Regions for IT Outsourcing Services

Today, Eastern Europe is one of the most sought-after options for outsourcing IT talent, with Ukraine being the most popular. Many businesses wondering how to choose a company for IT solutions, turn to Ukraine to source their talent. 

But what makes Ukraine such a desirable destination for companies around the world? Several reasons make companies appreciate software outsourcing Ukraine. Here are some of the most significant reasons to hire software developers Ukraine:

• Large talent pool 

The tech market in Ukraine is expanding rapidly and includes more than 200000 specialists. This large talent pool makes it easy for companies to hire dedicated web developers Ukraine for all types of IT projects, no matter the size, type or skills required. 

• High English proficiency

Most software developers Ukraine and IT specialists in the country speak English very well. They can conduct all their work-related activities in English, including face-to-face communication and documentation writing. This ensures the smooth transmission of information and avoids messages getting lost in translation. 

• Lower hiring costs 

Because Ukraine offers a low cost of living, IT specialists from development outsourcing Ukraine companies can have much lower hiring rates compared to many other countries. And even with a lower salary, the quality of the talent available compares extremely well to all other developed countries in the world. 

• A convenient time zone

Ukraine is located in the UTC+2 timezone that switches to UTC+3 only during the summertime. It has a very small time difference from all European countries, making communication very easy and unobstructed. This also ensures that remote workers from Ukraine outsourcing companies are available during normal business hours and little to no time is lost. 

• Dedication 

Most Ukraine IT outsourcing companies offer IT talent that only works on one project at a time. In other words, the top software development companies Ukraine provide complete dedication to clients, ensuring enhanced productivity. 

• Good cultural compatibility

Ukraine is a European nation. As a result, the country and its outsourcing software companies Ukraine embrace most European standards, policies and values, at the same time keeping their qualities historically inherent: their excellent honesty, hospitality and openness. 

• High level of work ethic 

Ukraine developers and IT specialists are known for their excellent work ethic. They believe in maximum productivity and go out of their way to exceed the expectations of their clients. 

With all these benefits, it is no wonder that many businesses choose software development companies in Ukraine. You can invest in outsourcing Ukraine IT specialists in two ways:

1. On a dedicated team model. This means you get access to software development companies Europe offering a team that exclusively works on a project. In this case, you simply pay the Ukraine outsource programmers their monthly salary for as long as they are contracted.
2. On a project basis. This means you pay the Ukraine programmers for the time and material they provide. 

Now, let’s explore some of the steps to consider when looking for the best way how to choose a software development partner in Ukraine. 

Can the IT Company Handle a Business of Your Size?

One of the first things to consider when seeking software development assistance with an IT company in Ukraine is whether it can handle the size of your business and its operations. Not all types of information technology companies have the same capacity. 

If a company doesn’t have the right resources to handle a project of a specific size or scope, it can lead to missed deadlines and costly mistakes in the future. Some IT companies want to do everything with an undersized team, so staff end up wearing several hats. For example, help desk technicians may double as salespeople, or managers double as lead engineers. These situations create scenarios where when you need their help, your IT partner is too busy handling other tasks.

Whether an IT company can handle your size can be confirmed by looking at some of their previous clients. When you consider how to choose an IT company, ask questions such as:

The answers to these questions will give you a good idea if an IT company has sufficient resources and talent available for the size of your company. 

Next, if you’re still wondering how to choose a company for IT solutions, it is important to discuss the size and scope of your projects with the IT solutions provider companies you are considering hiring. It is essential to give them as much information about the project as possible to help them determine if you are a good match to continue into a partnership. 

One of the best platforms to find information about the size and staff complement of a provider is LinkedIn. There, you can see everything about the provider’s experience, past projects, and the number of specialists they offer for the given areas. 

Keep in mind that not all companies work with businesses of the same size. Some IT companies are specialized to work with startups, while others have all the right resources to take on large projects with long timelines and big budgets. 

Identify Your Requirements 

If you want your chosen company to meet your expectations in terms of quality and professional thinking, you have to specify specific standards and requirements right from the beginning.

The very first thing to start with before planning a new project is to identify your essentials and goals. If you want to choose the perfect service provider, you must get an idea of the type of software you require, as well as the needs for the final product. 

Keep in mind that requirements collection is never flawless. That’s why it’s advised to use the prototype for testing before creating the final version. After evaluating your needs, you can look for a trustworthy partner. If you make the right choice, you’ll receive several benefits and be able to achieve your unique goals.

How Fast Can You Expect Service When You Need It?

Next in your journey to how to select an IT service provider, you want to consider whether the IT company you want to work with can handle the specific deadlines of your project. Can they deliver their services on time and when you need them? Not all types of information technology companies deliver their services equally efficiently.

It is important to make sure you work with a company that works fast and efficiently. Delays can lead to missed deadlines which can also cause overspending on budgets. 

This aspect is easy to confirm by the way a company responds to the initial requests you make to them. If they offer prompt responses and deliver answers and information on time, the chances are good that they will provide their services promptly. However, if there are long delays in responses, it should be treated as a red flag. 

Consider the Company’s Approach and Philosophy

You want to know how custom software development companies handle scope creep and unexpected changes in any design tasks. Check if their responses to you seem reasonable and professional. 

You can ask to see a company profile to view a potential service provider’s unique approach to working with clients and their philosophy. A good approach should be simple but effective, while a good philosophy should be action-oriented and focused on client satisfaction. 

There are a few different approaches a custom software development company or IT consulting services provider can offer. The Waterfall Approach may be better suited for projects with clearly defined requirements and minimal changes. 

If scope creeps, uncertain needs for product design or changing business goals are anticipated, an agile approach is more suitable. You may want to pick a provider that follows the Agile approach that involves iterative cycles for your deliverables. This unique approach enables staff to move more efficiently when they are productive.

Check for Education, Certifications and Partnerships

Another important point to look out for when researching how to select an IT service provider is their credentials. Do their staff have the needed education and skills you require for your project? And does the company have the right certifications? It can also be useful to check for valuable partnerships. 

Ideally, a good IT services company should have proof of education and expertise in networking, cyber security, support, systems administration, cloud computing, etc. 

Also, keep in mind that technology changes fast. So, you want to choose an IT company that has a culture of continuous growth that keeps its employees’ skills sharp. Look for certifications such as Microsoft MS-900, CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+. These are good indicators of proficiency in the most basics of IT support.

To confirm these details, you can ask for resumes from the staff and to see proof of certifications. 

Find Out What Other People Say About the IT Service Provider

The next step in your journey of how to choose a software development partner in Ukraine is to determine what the company’s reputation is. The more experience a company has in offering specific MVP development services, the better qualified they are to deliver that service to your business. An IT support company with a good proven track record should be able to offer you customer reviews that indicate the quality of service their previous clients experienced.

But be aware of the fact that a large number of years on the market solely does not always mean enhanced services. Bigger companies often have many different layers of management that can lead to miscommunication and lead to your collaboration being more complicated than it should be. Consequently, it’s crucial to choose a company with a lot of experience in the field that matters most to your business. It is safe to say that providers with more than two years of experience can usually be trusted.

Many support ticketing systems have a feature that lets clients send in surveys after tickets are closed. You can ask to see some of that feedback. Keep in mind that it can be a red flag if they don’t have those surveys, or they don’t want to disclose the feedback.

Today, it’s also easy to leave reviews on different platforms. A simple search of a company’s name on Google can reveal reviews left by previous clients. You can also check how well the company responds to feedback. This will give you an idea of how invested a company is in their clients. 

Consider the Projects the IT Company Has Completed Previously

Another important point to consider when thinking about how to choose an IT company is previous projects. Go through some of the past projects of the IT company to get an idea of the type of work they do. If you’re wondering why, here is the reason: Different types of IT company businesses that have worked on many different projects often have a tried and tested method for the successful completion of projects. Most of the time, you can identify this methodology in the work of their portfolio. This will give you a good idea of whether they are a good fit for your project. Keep in mind that there are different types of IT company businesses for different industries and types of projects.

Companies that have a great reputation and are very confident about their skills won’t easily hesitate to share their client details. So, feel free to ask for it. This would help you understand the work ethics of the potential provider. 

Evaluate How Professional-looking and Informative Their Website is

When researching how to choose your IT partner, you have to consider an online presence. A website portrays a lot about a company. A well-structured website that features all the right elements and is easy to navigate reflects a professional company. But a website that has missing information and has a poor visitor experience may reflect a company that lacks experience and professionalism. 

So, what should you look for on a software development or IT company’s website when researching how to choose an IT service provider?

• Straightforward and informative content that is easy to read and understand. 
• Images and videos that are of high quality. 
• A menu that is simple and easy to navigate.
• Pages that load fast and are free of errors.  
• Contact information that is easily accessible. 

If an online presence is important to you, you can even go a step further and ask them to see some insights into their website’s visitor count and bounce rate. This can help you to determine how well their website is working. 

Do They Take Security Seriously?

Whenever partnering with a software development company or outsourced IT services provider, it is crucial to make sure your data and sensitive information are protected at all times. 

Your chosen provider may use your data to assist with the successful completion of your project, but you have to make sure they take good care of it. Data that leaks or ends up in the wrong hands can lead to serious complications. Therefore, your provider must have special security precautions in place to protect all types of data. 

The best way to determine if a software development services or IT company can protect your sensitive information is to check how serious they take their own security. Have a look at their website and check if they have an SSL security certificate installed. They should also have comprehensive passwords for all the different programs and tools they use. Lastly, make sure they include a section in the contract that states that your data will be protected at all times and not shared with any third parties. 

Another crucial aspect to include is to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the company you choose. This will help to prevent any theft and misuse of your corporate information. Businesses typically use these documents to ensure that their data and ideas won’t be stolen by anyone they are negotiating with.

Do They Have Experience in Your Industry?

Another aspect to consider when thinking about how to choose an IT company is whether they have experience in your industry. When you work with an IT service provider that knows and understands your industry, you’ll see a significant difference in the way they deliver their service. They’ll know and understand your industry’s regulations, compliance, the common issues you face, your work requirements and what technology can best work to your advantage.

The best way to confirm if a company has experience in your industry is to ask to see a portfolio of work. This way, you can see how their previous projects were completed. A portfolio is a very powerful source of info because it shows you the company’s previous clients, the unique projects they have worked on, and their previous experience. Additionally, you can also view the LinkedIn profiles of these companies.

When it comes to case studies, it is sometimes seen as a lottery. Most software development and IT service provider companies sign a non-disclosure agreement that doesn’t allow them to convey crucial data about their clients or their past projects. But many case studies can simply be found on the internet. Also, you can just ask for a summary of the studies or reach out to the company’s representatives to examine their previous experience.

Check the Technologies and Tools They Use

In the software development and IT industry, the finest companies always keep up the pace with the most modern technologies. The providers that you are most likely to have more successful partnerships with are typically following the latest trends and technologies. 

Checking whether a provider uses the most modern and cutting-edge tools and technologies is crucial for your choice of partner. While most businesses focus on development tools, things like communication tools also play a considerably important role. The success of your project relies on aspects like great communication with your partner so this shouldn’t be overlooked. Ideally, you should learn what type of tools and system technologies the provider uses and that will offer you a better perspective about how they can assist your business to grow.

Choose a Company From a Time Zone That You Are Comfortable With

Ideally, you want to select a software development or IT support service company from a time zone that you are comfortable working with. You have to understand their local business culture to improve your business success. This will assist you in deciding whether you will be a suitable fit or not.

Are They a Good Cultural Fit?

Because you will probably be working very closely together, it is essential to find a partner company that fits all your needs, including your culture.

Culture involves more than just dress code, work hours and language on the job. Culture includes your company’s values and priorities in a very uncertain world. If the provider doesn’t share the belief of your company on some important issues such as diversity or work-life balance, then it may not be a culture that fits your goals.

Be sure to examine the culture of the provider’s workplace – does it seem like a suitable fit for you? The deliverables of an IT and software development agency with good morale are usually much better. The best way to know if a company’s culture is a great fit for you depends entirely on the person. Just like some people are better at working inside or outside of organizations, some people are better at working in a hierarchical or very goal-driven environment. 

Contact the Shortlisted Companies

Make a list of around ten potential software development or IT managed services provider companies that you think can meet your needs based on the info you gathered from your research and their websites. Then, begin contacting these vendors.

Take special note of the performance the vendors give even before you sign a contract and they get their payment. If they invest time in pre-development tasks such as market analysis, feature recommendations, and assessing projects before signing anything, it is a reasonable indicator that the vendor is dedicated.

Aspects to Confirm Once You’ve Chosen an IT Service Provider  

Once you’ve determined how to choose your IT partner and picked your ideal IT contractor company, there are a few essential aspects to identify and confirm to ensure the partnership is a successful one. 

Ensure That You Can Easily Get Information About the Progress of the Project 

Communication is key when it comes to partnering with an IT services provider. It is, therefore, important to confirm the method of communication of an IT development company. You can ask them to identify how they communicate (For example through email, Skype or Slack), how often they have meetings and how well they keep track of everything that is discussed. 

If you have no technical expertise and you’re not quite sure what the IT company is saying, it’s not your fault. If you find that you and your provider don’t really speak the same language, and they don’t make an effort to help you understand, future cooperation will also be difficult.

The frequency of communication is equally vital. It is recommended to communicate with your service provider through a meeting at least once a week. This is to check up on your project, share your vision, and develop your relationship. If the provider thinks this is too much, it may be a red flag. 

Identify Services You Need and Your Budget

Before you sign any contracts, you want to confirm the type of services you need, as well as the budget you have. This ensures you and your provider know exactly what is expected of the partnership. 

During this phase, you can also ask your chosen provider to offer you a test run or trial of the services you require. This may involve a short task that is similar to the project you have. During this test, you can see if the services offered are a good match for the work you need done. This is also a great time to ask questions and to check if any obstacles need to be overcome. 

Part of the services you choose should be post-development or post-project support. It may not be required for smaller-scale projects but it does become a crucial factor for larger projects. This is because such projects need constant maintenance to operate smoothly and remain problem-free. Post-project support can include services such as customization, software maintenance, backup services, etc.

Сarefully Read the Contract You Sign and What Exactly Should Be Specified in the Contract

Once you and your chosen IT partner have confirmed the type of services you require, the scope of your project and the size of your budget, it is time to discuss your contract. 

First, you need to discuss what needs to be listed in the contract, this may include some of the following aspects: 

• Type of services. This section of the contract defines what type of services are offered in the agreement, which is broken down in detail so that all parties understand exactly what is being offered. 
• Terms of agreement. In this section, details are included of what the terms and the termination clauses of the contract entail.
• Payment terms. In this section, the fees for the corresponding services are listed, as well as the schedule of payment.
• Taxes. It is also important to list all the taxes involved in the payment terms to ensure complete transparency. 
• Hours or length of service. This section lists the hours of coverage that the IT provider can offer their services.
• Minimum standards. In this section, the minimum standards of service the IT company is required to provide are listed. This section should be detailed to ensure all parties know exactly what is being offered. 
• Management of problems. This section covers the service provider’s unique process to manage any problems that may arise.
• Response time. Here, it is listed how the service provider company prioritizes requests and how long the provider will take to resolve requests and issues.

Once all these aspects have been identified and defined in the contract, the agreement can be signed and the partnership can begin. 

Keep in mind that the journey to choosing a software development company or IT provider won’t always be a trouble-free one. There are specific factors that you must consider and pay careful attention to. You can use this article as a guide to help you identify the best provider for your needs and experience project success. 

If you’re on the hunt for quality IT services for your business, browse our directory of the top IT providers in Ukraine!  

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