You have plenty of ideas, but don't know how to start?

This is common for most of the client.

There is many types of software/application(app), such as:-

Mobile app run on mobile device, such as smartphone and tablet
Web based app run on server
Desktop app run on PC (Personal Computer)
Programs for PC, server and other devices

Also, there is many types of Operation System(OS) and Platform where your software run on, such as:-

Windows
macOS
Linux
chromeOS
iOS
Android

Furthermore, there is many types of computer language and database to build your software, such as:-

C Language, Java, Python
ASP, JSP, PHP, HTML5
MySQL database, Oracle database, Microsoft Access, Sybase, dBASE and other open source database

Just leave these complicated questions to software development company, they are software architect and developer to choose the right plan and components to build your software, similar to house architect and developer develops building ideas, concepts, designs and build your house.

The following instruction might help you to build your dream software step by step.

Software Development Process

Step 1

Your Idea

know what you want

Whos is the user?
Where to install/use?
What features you want?
When you need?
How it works?

Step 2
* applicable to middle and large project, small project can skip "SRS" document

Meeting with software development company

for preparing Software/System Requirements Specification (SRS)

Deliver your ideas to software developer, software developer will do research on your requirements and design a Software/System Requirements Specification.

The Software/System Requirements Specification includes these elements:

The purpose of the software being developed
An overall description of the software
The functionality of the software or what it is supposed to do
Performance of the software in a production situation
Non-functional requirements
External interfaces or how the software will interact with hardware or other software it must connect to
Design constraints or the limitations of the environment that the software will run in
Software/System maintenance
Length of Development
Cost of Development

Step 3
* applicable to middle and large project, small project can skip "UI Specification" document

User Interface (UI) Specification

once project is started, UI Specification will be designed, before programming

A User Interface (UI) Specification is a document that describes the details of the software user interface. The document covers all possible actions that an end user may perform and all visual, auditory and other interaction elements.

Design and layout of software user interface are also part of the document in order to avoid conflicts between client and developer.

Step 4

Programming

once UI Specification is confirmed, start programming

Start programming based on the Software/System Requirements Specification (SRS) and User Interface (UI) Specification.

Step 5

User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

a process to ensure software quality goals are met to requirements.

UAT is a type of testing performed by the end user or the client to verify/accept the software system before moving the software application to the production environment.

Final Step

Software Launch

once the acceptance is passed

The software/system will be launched or move to production environment.

Software Design & Development