12 guidelines for software program enterprise happiness

Listed below are a couple of guidelines for happiness that I’ve discovered (typically the onerous method) operating a solo software program enterprise since 2005

Make sure that your vital stuff is backed-up routinely

Any form of handbook back-up goes to get forgotten. Again-up to a couple of place, at the least one in every of which is offsite.

Avoid the bleeding edge

Keep on with tried and trusty instruments and applied sciences, the place you may. JQuery will probably be here in another 10 years, however the newest and best Javascript framework may not.

Use good suppliers

You want your internet hosting firm, fee processor and different vital suppliers to be rock strong. Assume twice about going with a provider simply because they’re low cost. Altering suppliers could be a ache, so ask round earlier than making an attempt a provider.

Use model management for every thing vital

It issues much less which model management system it’s. Periodically making a replica of your supply folder just isn’t a model management system!

Don’t promise ship dates

Builders are notoriously unhealthy at predicting dates. If you happen to promise a date and get it mistaken (and you’ll) then you definitely both need to miss the date or reduce corners. Neither is nice.

By no means ship an e mail you may later remorse

In case you are beginning to really feel offended writing an e mail, then cease writing. Come again to it later. Or possibly write it, really feel a bit higher, then delete it with out sending.

Write documentation as you go

Few folks get pleasure from writing documentation. However in case you go away all of the documentation till you could have completed programming, then you’re prone to rush it and overlook stuff.

Have a guidelines

Automate the place you may. Have checklists for every thing else. Maintain updating your checklists.

Get another person to proof learn every thing

Typos are embarrassing, however it’s unimaginable to proof learn your personal stuff. So get another person to proof learn any stuff that prospects see: internet pages, newsletters, documentation and many others.

By no means launch modifications simply earlier than happening vacation

You don’t need to need to be fire-fighting a brand new bug when you ought to be on the seaside with your loved ones/mates.

Don’t attempt to do every thing your self

You could possibly spend weeks studying about taxes, internet hosting, CSS or any variety of different matters that aren’t central to your corporation. However why hassle? Pay somebody who already know these things.

Embrace imperfection

If you happen to await perfection, then you’re by no means going to ship something. Simply ensure every launch is best than the final. Ok is nice sufficient.