Custom Software Development
You keep thinking,
“surely there’s a better way.”
There usually is, and that’s where I come in. Bring me your slow, manual, outdated or disconnected business systems, and I’ll build you that better way.
Hear more about Custom Builds
The work
What I do.
Custom software is built around how your business works, instead of forcing it to fit generic, off-the-shelf tools. I build the custom tools, connections and automations that give you a better, easier way to run the systems behind your business.
Build custom solutions
When nothing off the shelf fits how you work, I build the exact tool or system your business needs.
Connect your tools
Whatever tools you already use, joined up and talking to each other so nothing has to move by hand.
Automate your workflows
The repetitive jobs your team does by hand, set to run in the background so nobody touches them again.
Every business is different, but here’s a flavour of the kind of thing I build.
Rather get your whole team skilled up on AI than have me build the one thing? That’s a separate engagement, see AI training for your team.
Off the shelf vs custom
Why build something custom.
Off-the-shelf tools are quick to switch on, but you end up shaping your business around the software. Custom works the other way round, the software is shaped around you.
Off-the-shelf software
- You bend how you work to fit the tool
- You hit a ceiling as you grow
- Separate apps that don't talk to each other
- Per-seat licences you keep paying for
- Cheap to start, but it adds up over time
- You're locked into their platform
Custom, built for you
- Built around how your business actually works
- Scales and changes as you grow
- Connects to the tools you already use
- You own it outright, with no per-seat licensing
- Costs more up front, but cheaper over the long run
- No lock-in, it's yours to keep
Jack took the time to understand exactly how we work, then delivered custom-built systems that made our day-to-day client delivery easier, saving us serious time without losing any quality.
The process
How it works.
You bring the problem. I get to know it, scope and price the fix up front, then build it and keep it running.
Discuss
Over a coffee or online, we talk through the problem you've already got, so I understand exactly how you work and what the fix needs to do.
Solution
I come back with a clear solution, scoped and priced up front, so you know exactly what's getting built and what it costs before I start.
Build
Then I design and build it, test it properly, and get it working inside your business with your team comfortable using it.
Run
Once it's live I keep it running and improving over time, and when the next problem comes up, we go again from the top.
The right fit
Who it’s for.
Small to medium businesses, run by a small team whose day-to-day leans on digital tools and systems.
It all runs through you
You've got a team, but too much still lands on you to keep things moving.
You're short on time
There's never enough hours, and too much of the week goes on manual work.
You lack technical resource
You and your team have plenty on, with no technical resource to lean on.
Your tools don't connect
Your team works across a patchwork of apps and spreadsheets that don't talk.
You know it could be better
You can feel there's a smarter way to run things, you just can't see how.
You've got the budget to fix it
The money's coming in, and you'd happily invest in systems that pay for themselves.
Questions I get a lot.
The things people always want to know before we get started.
What is custom software development?
It's software built specifically for your business, instead of a one-size-fits-all tool you have to work around. That covers things like custom web apps, internal tools, integrations between the software you use and automations, all shaped around exactly how you work. Off-the-shelf makes you fit the tool, custom fits you.
What kind of things do you build?
All sorts. Custom web apps, internal tools, integrations between the software you already use, automations, and AI where it genuinely helps. If it's slow, manual or held together with spreadsheets, it's usually something I can fix.
Custom software or off-the-shelf, which is right for me?
Off-the-shelf is the right call when a cheap, common tool already does the job well enough, no point building what you can buy. Custom is worth it when you're bending your business to fit the software, paying for seats or features you don't use, or stuck because your tools won't do what you need. If you're not sure, tell me the problem and I'll give you a straight answer, even if that's to just buy something off the shelf.
How much does it cost?
It depends entirely on what you need, so there's no set price. We talk through the problem, I scope it, and you get a clear price before I build anything.
How long does a custom build take?
It depends on the size of the build. Smaller tools and automations can be done in a week or two, bigger systems take longer. Once I've scoped it I'll give you a clear timeline, and you'll see it coming together in stages rather than waiting months for a big reveal.
How does it work?
We talk through the problem, I come back with a scoped and priced solution, then I build it and keep it running. Nothing gets built until you've signed off on what it costs.
Can you connect to the tools and software I already use?
Almost always, yes. Most modern tools are built to connect, and a big part of what I do is joining up the software you already use so they share data automatically instead of you copying it across by hand. If something doesn't have a clean way in, I'll find a workaround or tell you straight if it's not worth it.
Can you fix or finish something another developer started?
Often, yes. I'm happy to pick up a half-finished build, fix something that's broken, or take over a project that stalled. I'll look through what's there first and give you an honest read on whether it's better to carry it on or start fresh.
Do I need to be technical to work with you?
Not at all. Plenty of the people I build for aren't technical, and that's the point, I handle the technical side so you don't have to. I'll explain what I'm building in plain English, and you just need to know your business and the problem you want solved.
Do I own what you build?
Yes. What I build for your business is yours, and I'll make sure you're set up to keep using it.
More of what I do