Custom Software

Explore practical Custom Software articles from Shaheer Malik, covering strategy, examples, workflows, and design decisions. Browse 10 articles with clear takeaways for founders, SaaS teams, marketers, and product builders.

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This category groups Shaheer Malik articles about Custom Software, from foundational explainers to tactical guides and examples you can apply to real websites, products, and brand systems.

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

Agency, Freelancer or Fixed-Price Sprint: Hiring for Your First Build

How freelancers, agencies, in-house hires and fixed-price sprints compare on cost, risk and speed for a first product, plus the questions to ask before hiring.

October 8, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

How to Brief a Developer So the Quote Doesn't Move

A one-page brief template for your first build, the out-of-scope list that keeps the quote firm, and how to compare quotes fairly.

October 8, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

iOS, Android or Both? Launching a Mobile App in 30 Days

Which platforms to launch on, when one codebase is enough, how store reviews really work, and the Google Play testing rule that catches most first launches.

October 8, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

Spreadsheet to Internal Tool: When to Build Your Own

The signals that your spreadsheet has become software, when to build or buy, what an internal tool needs, and how to cut over without losing a step.

October 8, 20266 min read

PricingShaheer Malik

Fixed Price vs Hourly Software Development: What Protects Founders

Who carries the risk under fixed price and hourly billing, how overruns really happen, when hourly is the honest choice, and the contract terms that protect you.

October 5, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

From Vibe-Coded Prototype to Production: The Launch Checklist

A 10-point checklist for taking a Cursor, Lovable, Bolt or Replit prototype to production, with a quick check for each item that you can run today.

October 5, 20268 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

React Native vs Native: Which Should You Actually Build?

One codebase or two? A practical comparison of React Native and fully native development on cost, speed, hiring and the specific features that genuinely force you to go native.

August 15, 20264 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

How Long Does It Take to Build Custom Software?

A focused first version of custom software typically ships in 4–8 weeks with AI-assisted engineering, then iterates. Here's a realistic timeline by scope, the phases involved, and what speeds a build up or slows it down.

July 4, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

Build vs Buy Software: The Real Cost Math (2026)

Buy when a tool fits your process and per-seat cost stays modest; build when the software is core to how you operate or subscriptions are stacking up. Here's the framework and the real total-cost math behind the decision.

July 4, 20266 min read

Custom SoftwareShaheer Malik

How Much Does Custom CRM Software Cost in 2026?

Custom CRM software usually costs between roughly $8,000 and $60,000+ depending on scope. Here's what actually drives the price, and the three-to-five-year math that often makes building cheaper than renting Salesforce or HubSpot per seat.

July 4, 20266 min read