Joist: Building Software Solutions Designed with You in Mind

Building and scaling a business is no easy task. There is a lot to consider and one of the most important considerations is whether you have the right tools and systems in place to support the growth of your business.

For many businesses, the answer to that question is simply “no”. Many businesses have become over reliant on multiple impractical systems that are so stacked with features that they are more cumbersome to work with and become a further obstacle to scaling.

Joist Software recognises this and we’re here to help you. We’re an award-winning software development company based out of Gloucestershire. With over 20 years of expertise, our sole aim is to deliver straightforward software and website solutions which will enable your business to reach its full potential.

Joist was the brainchild of founder and father of two, Martin Thorne. After working for many years in the software industry, Martin recognised that there was a real need for a more client-centric approach to software development. A software house that truly focused on the needs and heart of a business to deliver intuitive solutions that just made sense. Fuelled by this vision, Joist was born, and the rest (as they say) is history!

Why Joist? We Put You First

Joist isn't your average software development house. Martin takes the time to understand your business, from your workflows to your customers. Depending on the business, he may even spend a day shadowing your team to get a firsthand look at your operations to see where improvements might be made.

This deep dive allows us to create software that truly streamlines your processes, boosts efficiency, and ultimately, helps you scale up your business.

Here at Joist, we pride ourselves on being open and transparent and doing the right thing for our clients. If we are aware of an existing product on the market that might be a better fit, we won’t hesitate to recommend it - because we are dedicated to your success.

At the same time, we know that one-size-fits-all solutions aren’t always the right fit for everyone. If we believe that it’s in your interest to have a bespoke system built for you, then that’s what we’ll do.

Accessibility: We Don't Leave Anyone Behind

At Joist, we believe in the power of inclusive design and functionality. We understand that accessibility isn't just a legal requirement, it's a way to ensure everyone can benefit from your business. Which is why as well as understanding your business’s needs, we’ll also consider your end users - the people who will be accessing and using your software on a daily basis.

When we start the design process, we are meticulous and crafting websites and software solutions that are accessible for everyone - regardless of ability or impairment. This means we’ll factor in screen reader compatibility, clear layouts, large buttons, and user-friendly interfaces – all to create a seamless experience for your customers.

Investing in Our Community

At Joist, we believe success is a shared journey. That's why we're committed to being a positive force in our community. We actively partner with local charities, startups, and freelancers, offering support and expertise whenever possible. We also understand the challenges faced by new ventures and are passionate about helping them flourish.

Sustainability: Building a Better Future

Sustainability is important to us too. We're committed to building a sustainable future, not just for your business, but for the planet. We're constantly exploring eco-friendly options for our projects, ensuring your software solutions have a minimal impact on the environment as well. You can find out more about how Joist strives for sustainability on our Sustainability Page.

Staff Wellbeing: Maintaining a Healthy Work-life Balance

Here at Joist, we are keen to create a work environment that fosters creativity and innovation. This includes prioritising the well-being of our team and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This means that while staff will be diligently checking their emails during office hours, they may not always be at their desks and available to take phone calls. Therefore, wherever possible, please contact us via email and we will respond as soon as we can.

The Joist Process

Never worked with a software or website developer before? Here’s what to expect from Joist.

Joist offers a two-stage development process:

First, we collaborate with you and our trusted local designers to create a bespoke design that perfectly captures your vision and meets your needs. No cookie-cutter templates here – only your imagination and budget set the limits. If you don’t have brand guidelines for your business, we can also help you establish these to ensure cohesion across your platforms for design and brand messaging.

Once the design is finalised, we get to work on the build. This phase is all about bringing your vision to life. We may go quiet at this stage as the team get their heads down to get the project completed, but we’ll set clear expectations, so they’ll be no surprises and you’ll know exactly when to expect your project to be completed.

Check out our portfolio to see some of the projects we’ve recently worked on

Ready to build something amazing together? Contact Joist today to tell us about your project and see how we can help.