Choosing the right tech stack can make all the difference to the success of your business. If you’re unsure what this is, think about the home you live in. It was built using different materials and tools, which were carefully chosen based on a range of factors. A tech stack is similar, but it is a mix of technologies, such as programming languages, databases, and front-end and back-end tools, all catered to the needs and priorities of your startup’s website or app. Below, we’ll go into more detail about the importance of a tech stack, things to consider, and how it contributes to your startup’s growth.
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Why a tech stack is important
The tech stack you use can contribute to the development, efficiency, performance and future scalability of your business. Even for non-tech startups, it’s impossible to get ahead without using technology to your advantage.
For example, many stacks make it possible to automate repetitive tasks, improve debugging and make coding more efficient. This saves you time and money and allows you to focus on the motivation behind your startup. It’s also easier for your development team to work together on creating a stack by using widely understood frameworks and programming languages.
Business is becoming more competitive than ever. If there is a demand that isn’t being met now, it will be met soon. So, by using stacks such as MEAN, you increase the speed of development and prototyping, and your startup has the potential to lead the way in meeting new and changing demands before the market becomes oversaturated.
As you grow, you’ll be entrusted with more data for existing and potential customers. Choosing a stable tech stack reduces the chances of crashes and bugs that could deter customers, potentially sending them somewhere else. Just as importantly, error-handling mechanisms can find and fix issues, including those that might put customers’ private data at risk.
AI software development can also be used in your tech stack for functions such as machine learning, decision-making and predictions based on unseen data. However, there will always be a need for software engineers to improve productivity and creativity. Programs such as the Master’s in Computer Science offered at Baylor University can be studied remotely and provide students with the knowledge and capabilities to work in software engineering while efficiently leveraging the potential of AI.
Choosing the right tech stack
There are several questions you should ask yourself when choosing a tech stack for your startup. The answers to these will help you decide on your priorities and how to address them.
The purpose of your business
Start with the basics that your small business needs to fulfill its purpose, and then ask yourself, what would make it stand out from similar startups? Ideally, you’ll be able to include everything to do this in your tech stack, but you should prioritize meeting the core needs first.
When looking at your options, weigh up how the potential tech stack aligns with your business goals and vision. If you know your audience, you’ll also know what matters most to them. Your user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) should reflect this. If design and user experience are a big part of what you offer, prioritize this and look at the best technologies to deliver what your target audience expects.
Budget constraints
Another important question is, what are your limitations? It’s important to be realistic and try to save money while looking at the potential returns. Sometimes, spending a little will help you make a much bigger profit later on. However, carefully research the cost of long-term maintenance as well as the initial cost of development.
Scalability and performance
Having growth goals in your business gives you something to aim for. It also means that you can save time by making sure that your tech stack can keep up with increasing user numbers and their data. Being prepared in this way will allow growth, without reducing the speed or reliability of your website or app.
It’s important to be aware of the scalability limitations of tech stacks. These can include poor resource management, database issues and problems handling too many users at once. Stacks that aren’t built for distributed computing, or those lacking auto-scaling features, will perform poorly under heavy loads.
Community and support
Think about the community and support features you want to offer, and how the tech stack will handle this. Will you be offering access to forums or chat functions to address customers’ concerns and answer their questions? Will you require security features to protect users against any vulnerabilities?
Time to market
We’ve already mentioned the need to meet demand fast. So, look at how quickly the stack will help you develop and use the product. Does this mean compromising by needing long-term maintenance in exchange for quick development, and how will the tech stack help you with this?
Your checklist for choosing the right tech stack
- Create clear objectives – Outline your business goals and be clear about your technical requirements.
- Assess your technical requirements – Learn which features and functionalities are needed to meet your performance needs.
- Consider future growth – If you plan for scalability, you can be prepared for future challenges.
- Budget assessment – Make sure that the tech stack fits within your financial limitations.
- Research and compare – Consider different tech stacks and compare their pros and cons.
- Get expert advice – Have discussions with experienced developers and listen to industry experts.
- Pilot testing – Carry out a small-scale pilot project to test the stack’s viability.
Choosing the right tech stack is essential if you want your startup to be successful. The final choice will be influenced by a combination of development, efficiency, performance and scalability, all tailored to your goals. Effective software engineering practices, including breaking down your projects into phases and continuous integration, can increase the potential of your product. With the right foundation, you can focus on and invent in the areas that benefit both you and your audience.
