How renewing a digital product is like renovating a house

I don’t have to tell you things move really fast in tech. What’s cutting-edge one day can feel ancient the next. Just like your house, your digital product needs some love every now and then: updates, fixes, and sometimes, a full renovation.

At Hatch, we’ve built something called Product Review & Renew to do exactly that—it’s like taking your digital product through a home renovation. If your software or app is slowing down, looking outdated, or the code’s a tangled mess, this service helps future-proof it, keeping it strong, adaptable, and ready for whatever comes next.

Now, let me walk you through why updating your software is a lot like renovating a house, and why you definitely don’t want it to turn into a fossil.

Step 1: Analyse the foundation

Before fixing up a house, you’ve got to check the foundation. Is it solid enough to build on, or are there cracks hiding underneath?

Similarly, we kick things off with a Product Performance Assessment. This is where we look at the core of your product: Is it stable? Scalable? Fast enough? User-friendly? Accessible?

Knowing where things stand helps us pinpoint issues (big & small) and opportunities for improvement.

Step 2: Create a Plan

Once the foundation’s inspected, the next step is to map out a plan. In a home renovation, this is where you’d draw up blueprints. For your software, our Product Plan outlines everything—from business goals to coding and design improvements.

Think of it like uncovering old plumbing or faulty wiring in a house—outdated code and clunky design can cause similar hidden problems. We’ll also make sure your product still aligns with market needs, serves your users well, and that your tech stack is up to date.

That way, we’re not just making surface-level changes. We’re fixing the deeper issues that could hold your product back.

Step 3: Design & Experience

Sure, curb appeal matters, but it’s the inside of a house where people really live. Same goes for software. Your users “live” in the experience your product delivers. Our UX/UI Recommendations ensure that not only does your product look sharp, but it’s also intuitive and user-friendly.

Think about walking into a house that hasn’t been updated since the ‘90s. What was trendy back then now feels stuck in the past. The same goes for software. An outdated design, no matter how solid the backend, can push users away fast. We give your product the modern makeover it needs—sleek, easy to navigate, and built for today.

Step 4: Code

No home renovation is complete without updating the essentials: plumbing, wiring, insulation. For software, the code is that essential infrastructure. If your product’s still running on outdated code, it’s like keeping ancient electrical wiring in your newly renovated house. Not a great plan.

We use the latest tech, frameworks, and coding practices to ensure your product runs efficiently, securely, and is ready to grow with you.

Time to renovate?

Leaving a house untouched for years makes it way harder (and more expensive) to fix later. Same goes for your software.

If you ignore the signs—slow performance, glitchy code, frustrated users—you might find yourself needing a complete rebuild instead of a simple renovation.

Our Product Review & Renew service gives your software the thorough review, plan & upgrade it needs.

Ready to give your digital product a fresh start? Let’s get to work on your renovation today!