Companies in the IT-outsourcing industries will generate a whopping $395 billion in revenue by 2022. Without a doubt, software development outsourcing is very popular. But does that mean it’s the best option for you? To assist you in understanding this, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on everything you should know before outsourcing web development.
We’ve covered everything from determining whether outsourcing is right for you to interviewing and selecting web development outsourcing companies. We also provide a few suggestions for ensuring the success of your outsourced web project.
Is Outsourcing Beneficial For You or Not?
Outsourcing has always been an important part of the web development industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of remote web development since 2019. Hiring an in-house team, on the other hand, is more cost-effective in the long run. Outstaffing is sometimes more appropriate.
So, before you decide to outsource web development projects, we recommend that you look into other web app development options. You can create a web application using one of the following methods:
- Hiring a app development company
- Creating an in-house development team
- Hiring a few experts to collaborate with your team
Here is a quick comparison table that lists the benefits and drawbacks of each method to help you decide whether outsourcing web app development is right for you.
Meaning | Pros | Cons | |
Outsourcing | You hire a web development firm that will dedicate a development team to your project. The team works remotely to create a fullstack web solution based on your specifications. | – Cost-effective – Process of rapid development – Delivery on time – Project managers who are committed – Your project is being worked on by technical experts – It is now time to concentrate on other aspects of business – Development completed – Risk reduction | – The project is not completely under your control. – Cultural distinctions – Potential communication issues – Transparency – Privacy concerns |
In-House Team | You hire full-time employees for your company. You delegate tasks to your own employees, who use your company’s resources. | – Complete command of the project – The team is just as invested as you are – There are no privacy concerns – Quality guaranteed by a trusted team – Long-term development – Continuous communication – There are no cultural differences | – Protracted hiring procedure – Extremely costly – Resources spent on training and keeping the team up to date on technology – You must oversee the project. – A lack of required skills |
Outstaffing | Outstaffing is a cross between outsourcing and in-house staffing. When your in-house team is lacking a few developers, designers, or other specialists, you contact a web development agency, which will allow you to hire dedicated software developers for a set period of time. Your employees and the temporary workers you hired collaborate on a project. | – The most affordable option – Delivery on time – Complete command of the project – The company will shortlist capable candidates for you, resulting in a quick and efficient hiring process – Access to the team on a full-time basis – Transparency | – Privacy concerns – Communication issues between your team and the understaffed web developer – The team is split into two parts: remote outsourced employees and your local team. This can be difficult to manage. – You must oversee the project. |
How To Ensure Outsourcing is Successful?
1. Clear Communication
According to Grant Thornton’s International Business Report, 98% of participating companies cited poor communication as the primary reason for their outsourced projects failing.
Communication is essential when it comes to outsourcing web development projects. You and the development team are working at different times and in different locations. For the web developer, you are the only source of information about the project.
As a result, it is critical to have clear and understandable communication that leaves little room for misinterpretation.
Establish regular meetings with the project manager
To stay up to date on the status of the project, use a project management tool such as Skype or Slack (we use BaseCamp).
Provide feedback
Positive and negative feedback should both be provided. Assist the developers and manager in comprehending your thought process.
Inquire about your reservations
They are the experts, but developers often forget that not everyone speaks tech. So, ask questions and make sure you and your team are on the same page.
Request documentation.
Maintain a centralized source of information to simplify project management. Clear documentation will assist you and your team in understanding what is going on in the code.
2. Bridge The Cultural Gap
There will undoubtedly be cultural differences if you hire a company from the other side of the world. What you consider to be a classic and elegant design may not be the same for them. While you value flexibility, they may benefit from clear instructions.
Of course, established web development firms have experience working with US clients and are not affected by this issue.
Nonetheless, by organizing intercultural training sessions, you can try to mitigate the effects of cultural differences on your project.
3. Divide Your Budget
Yes, the most important aspect of web application development is coding and development. Other stages of the development lifecycle, however, are equally important. Most businesses choose to forego testing in order to reduce development costs. However, quality assurance is critical.
Outsourcing companies devote approximately 20% of their total development budget to testing and debugging. It’s pointless to spend thousands of dollars writing code if it doesn’t work properly. Similarly, conducting research on your target audience and competitors is critical. Inadequate budgeting can result in a product that no one wants to use. So allocate your budget to each stage of the web development project.
It is risky to outsource web development, but with proper planning and communication, you can have a well-developed web solution for your company. Reach out to the popular outsourcing web development companies to develop the right solution for your business.