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8 costly mistakes to avoid when purchasing software

8 costly mistakes to avoid when purchasing software

Purchasing any software is a decision that requires a lot of time and money. Since the world of software is constantly evolving, it is difficult for users to keep up. As a result, people often end up making mistakes when choosing the right software for their needs, which can lead to buyer’s remorse. So, learn about eight costly mistakes people generally make when purchasing any software and how to avoid them.

Buying software based on brand popularity
One of the biggest mistakes people make as individuals and businesses is picking software based on its popularity. Just because a certain software or vendor is well-known in the market does not mean it will match one’s current and future requirements. Plus, there are various small businesses and companies with innovative software solutions that could offer the same, if not better, functionality, often at a fraction of the cost.

To avoid this, start by making a list of required features. Use this to corroborate what each software vendor offers before making the decision to buy one. Taking this extra step will ensure that one ends up with software that meets their needs instead of just draining money.

Neglecting customer support
When buying new software, most people don’t think much about customer support. While it may not seem like a primary issue, customer service plays a crucial role in determining one’s experience with the software.

It is normal to run into issues or bugs when using any software. So, the software provider must have one or more dedicated channels (such as phone, mail, etc.) to address these. Before signing up for a software subscription, ensure the provider offers these basics. Some may also go the extra mile and include training and troubleshooting videos to improve customer experience.

Not considering the total cost of ownership
While the subscription cost of the software is often shared front and center, many also come with hidden costs for additional features, integrations, and much more. These could add up to the total cost of ownership of the software, causing one to overshoot their budget.

So, learn about the costs involved beforehand to avoid this money trap. Consider the cost of extensions, integrations, service contracts, and any other fees to estimate the total cost of ownership. Check whether this falls within the budget and then proceed to buy any software.

Choosing the cheapest option
Often, people think there is no great difference between different software and end up choosing one solely based on the cost. However, this can be a costly mistake.

While budget is an important marker when it comes to purchasing any software, it cannot be the standalone decision maker. Buying the cheapest software or settling for a free one will severely limit one’s access to the necessary features, causing a lot of frustration. Remember, with any software, one gets what one pays for. The best way to circumvent this issue is by deep diving into the market and learning about the software offered by multiple vendors. Take some time to analyze these well and understand if they fit one’s needs. Then, consider the total cost of ownership to make an informed decision.

Forgetting to budget time for set up
One of the biggest perks of the latest software is low downtime. With most people opting for cloud-based services, there’s very little need to sit idle while the software installs. Due to this, people often forget to budget time for setting up.

Despite the quick downtime, one needs to think about the time it will take to implement and get used to the software. This will also affect one’s productivity, making a real difference in output levels. Some vendors may provide a little training along the way, which could also be factored into this timeline.

Falling for flashy marketing strategies
Software vendors have honed their marketing strategies to make their products look more appealing to the masses. This could cause even the most planned and calculative individuals to fall for products, add-ons, or top-ups they don’t need.

Getting swayed by flashy marketing or shiny promises is a costly mistake to avoid when purchasing any software. Evaluate the features properly and consider current and future needs to find and purchase the right software.

Overspending on certain features
When buying software, it can be difficult to gauge the exact features that one would need. This could lead to buying too many add-on features without ever using them.

So, instead of buying software that ends up wasting a lot of money, look for providers that offer scalable or flexible plans. This will allow one to add, remove, or adjust features as per their requirements, helping them spend and save smartly.

Relying on the wrong recommendations
People often turn to friends and family for recommendations when choosing any software. While some of these may be helpful, one needs to learn how to sieve opinions from facts. Someone may have used a certain software three years ago and not found it fit for their needs. Since technology is constantly changing, this software may have transformed leaps and bounds from what it used to be.

It is also likely that one’s friends and family members are from different industries and fields, making their experiences rather distinct from one’s own. So, consider these aspects when asking others for software recommendations to make informed purchasing decisions.

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