Software development agency in Bristol.
With over a decade of experience delivering bespoke digital platforms, Appeal Digital is a trusted Bristol-based software development partner for B2B businesses looking to streamline operations, scale efficiently and grow business value.
The team and experience to develop best-in-class business software.
Our team of experienced developers and strategists build software that goes beyond expectations. We design platforms that solve real operational challenges, streamline processes, and give businesses the tools they need to scale with confidence.
By combining solid technical foundations with a deep understanding of how B2B businesses run, we create reliable, secure systems that adapt to your operation. Whether you need a focused workflow tool or a fully integrated enterprise platform, we provide the technical expertise and long-term support to turn your software vision into a powerful business asset.
Software design consulting
BPO software development
MVP planning & prototyping
API development & integration
Laravel web applications
AI development
Web application development
Our recent work.
Explore some of our software projects or view our recent featured work.
“At a time when costs are rising across the board, our focus is on helping businesses do more with less. We take a lean, outcome-driven approach, delivering the smallest possible input that creates the biggest operational impact. It’s about simplifying how teams work, freeing up capacity, and building systems that pay back quickly.”
Luke Trimmings
Strategy Director, Appeal Digital
Software development process.
Every successful platform starts with a clear understanding of your business, your users, and the outcomes you want to achieve. Our process brings structure, collaboration, and speed, ensuring we deliver measurable impact without unnecessary complexity.
1. Discovery
We begin by working closely with your team to uncover the real challenges, workflows, and goals behind the project. Through collaborative workshops, we define user needs, map business processes, and identify opportunities for automation or improvement.
2. Rapid prototyping
Next, we move fast to visualise ideas. Low-fidelity wireframes and clickable prototypes bring early concepts to life, helping stakeholders align around a shared vision before any development begins.
3. Feedback and user testing
We validate assumptions early by gathering feedback from real users. This step ensures the platform design and flow feel intuitive, effective, and tailored to genuine business needs.
4. Documentation and specification
Once the concept is proven, we document everything. A clear functional specification sets expectations for how each feature works, ensuring that development is transparent, traceable, and scalable as your business grows.
5. Software development
With a solid plan in place, our developers bring your platform to life using modern frameworks and best practices. We focus on building clean, secure, and maintainable code that performs reliably under real-world conditions.
6. QA and user testing
Every release goes through rigorous quality assurance and structured user testing to ensure the system performs exactly as intended. We check for usability, performance, and stability before any rollout.
7. Deployment and rollout
Once tested and approved, we manage a controlled launch – often starting with a phased release or pilot group to ensure smooth adoption across your business.
8. Iteration and business case review
We don’t stop at launch. By reviewing performance data and user feedback, we identify opportunities for improvement and expansion. This iterative approach helps identify the business case for new capabilities and ensures long-term return on investment.
Frequently asked questions.
What is custom software development?
It’s the process of designing and building software that’s tailored to how your business actually works. Instead of forcing off-the-shelf tools to fit your business, we create a system that reflects your workflows, automates the repetitive parts, and gives you better visibility across operations.
Which businesses should consider custom software over off-the-shelf solutions?
We work primarily with businesses that have outgrown spreadsheets and patchwork systems.
If your team is spending time re-entering data, managing workarounds, or struggling to get clear, actionable reporting, then a custom solution can bring everything into one place.
Our approach is centred around freeing up your team to focus on higher value work so you can increase your output without increasing your payroll.
Can you provide documentation?
Yes and we will! Documentation is at the heart of how we work, ensuring that the platform we build for your business is as scalable as the business itself.
We also maintain a change log and strict version control so you have end-to-end visibility over the changes made to your application over time.
Every project also includes a detailed functional specification and technical handover. With this approach, you’ll always have a clear record of how the system is built and how to maintain it, whether that’s with us or your own team in the future.
Can you integrate with our existing tools and business systems?
Definitely. We regularly connect CRMs, ERPs, finance systems, and third-party APIs so data flows seamlessly between platforms. Integration is often where the biggest efficiency gains come from.
Explore some of our work integrating systems such as Microsoft Dynamics and insurance platform Genesys.
How do you handle quality assurance?
We run a structured QA process at every stage of your project, from code reviews and automated testing to user acceptance testing before launch. The aim is simple: deliver a system that’s stable, secure, and works exactly as specified.
Do you offer ongoing support and maintenance?
Yes. We provide flexible support retainers covering updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements. That means you can keep evolving the platform securely without needing a full rebuild down the line.
How much does custom software cost?
There’s no fixed price because every build is different. We start with a discovery and scoping phase to define exactly what’s needed, then provide a detailed proposal with clear costs and options. That way you can make an informed decision before committing to any development.
We take a lean approach to development, focusing on delivering the smallest amount of input that creates the biggest return for your business. Rather than committing to large, all-encompassing builds from day one, we help you launch a minimum viable product or proof of concept that delivers measurable value quickly. This early success proves the business case, justifies further investment, and creates a clear path to scale the platform across teams, departments, and wider business functions with confidence.