Mobile app development outsourcing is a great option for businesses that want to have apps but lack the tech expertise for the same.
While businesses do have the option of building an in-house team for app development, it is the road less taken because it’s time-consuming, resource-heavy, and very difficult for businesses that don’t have a background in tech.
On the other hand, outsourcing your app development has all the benefits, provided you find the right partner. When done right, outsourcing app development can be a fast, reliable, and cost-effective way to develop your mobile application.
If you want to outsource app development but don’t know how to go about it, this post is for you. In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to hire the best app development company for your business. So read on and equip yourself with the necessary knowledge before investing your time and money.
Application development outsourcing is simply outsourcing the whole project to an app development company. While it is a cost-effective alternative to building an in-house tech team for the project, many companies are hesitant to do so.
There could be several reasons for that, from the data theft scare to a lack of control over the project. But over the course of this post, you will see how most of these fears are unfounded, and it is better to opt for outsourcing than to build an in-house team.
As a business, if you are able to find the right application development company, it should be the end of all your concerns.
If you are thinking about outsourcing app development, you need to go through the process in a step-by-step manner:
Before you start your search for an outsourcing partner, clearly define the features, functionality, tech stack, and platform. This will help you provide a clear scope of work to your outsourcing partner. It will simplify the task for both you and your partner. They will be aware of the deliverables, timelines, and scope of work.
Search for the right outsourcing partner depending on your budget, time zone, language, and expertise. Vet the partner thoroughly and ensure they have the experience to undertake a project like this.
Ensure they have a robust security measure to protect against data theft and do mention non-disclosure agreements even if they don’t. Also, it would be beneficial if the outsourcing partner had experience working in the same market. That could be a huge advantage.
If you have a time zone difference with your outsourcing partner, establish clear communication channels. Clearly defining project milestones will help you keep track of the project and feel in control. You will also be able to monitor the project’s progress with defined milestones.
Keep track of the project’s progress and ensure your outsourcing partner is doing robust testing to maintain the quality of the product. This will ensure your product is of the highest quality and you are happy with the end result.
Also, let them know if you will need their assistance after the deployment of the application. Most companies would be happy to provide that, but you must communicate beforehand to avoid confusion.
Businesses that are hesitant to outsource app development can have one or more of the following concerns:
Loss of control is the most serious concern for most businesses. They are worried that if they hand over the app development to a different team, they will not have any control over the final outcome. This issue can be easily addressed by having a direct communication channel, clear milestones, and timely reviews in place.
Outsourcing application development for a business means handing sensitive data and proprietary information to a third party. Intellectual property theft and data breaches can be causes of concern, but these can be addressed by vetting potential outsourcing partners.
You can also ensure that the app development company has robust security measures in place. On top of that, ensure you sign a non-disclosure agreement with the company.
Most mobile app development outsourcing companies will have no issues with non-disclosure agreements, but you do need to mention it, even if they don’t.
Real-time collaboration and communication can be challenging if your outsourcing partner is not in the same zone. But the post-pandemic era has made it easier for people worldwide to collaborate on work.
As long as they have the internet, the time zone difference isn’t a big factor—all thanks to platforms like Asana or Slack. With the help of these, you can keep track of the project’s progress and give real-time feedback to your outsourcing partners.
Language and cultural barriers can also be reasons for businesses to avoid outsourcing app development. While cultural barriers can easily be resolved by informing yourself about the culture of your outsourcing partner, it is important that your partner understands and is proficient in the English language.
This is why software developers from India are a huge draw for global businesses looking to outsource app development. They are proficient in the language and skilled in their craft.
There are several reasons to opt for outsourcing app development. It can be anything from an overburdened in-house team to a lack of tech talents. By outsourcing your app development, you have a higher chance of finishing the project in the given timeline.
This is due to the fact that the app development company has a reputation to maintain. Not providing your project within the timeline not only ruins its chances of not working with you again but also lowers its chances of getting good reviews, which would eventually lead to more work for them. So, the app development company is rooting for your success.
If you still have any doubts about outsourcing application development, you must check out the benefits it can bring you. Some of the major benefits are listed below:
When you outsource your application development, you choose the most cost-effective method.
How? If you had opted for in-house application development, you would have to go through the lengthy process of hiring the best talent, recruiting them, and then paying for their time accordingly.
All of this is not only time-consuming but also a costly affair. When you hire an app development company, all you have to do is choose the right one and then hand over the project to them.
Another great advantage of hiring an external team is saving time and resources. Your business can concentrate on its core competencies and not have to worry about app development.
The budget might not be an issue for a large company, but outsourcing application development will provide you with the best product within your budget if you are a small or medium-sized company or a startup.
Mobile outsourcing development teams will have set processes and resources to efficiently build your app—something they have perfected over the years. By hiring them, you get to leverage this process.
This also means your application will have a faster time to market. This is great if you have a strict deadline. This also saves you money in the long run, as the longer the project is delayed, the higher the cost to your business.
When you hire an in-house team, you have geographical limitations. You can only hire the talent available in that particular city or country. But when you outsource the application development, you can access a wider talent pool.
Most app development companies have different individuals as experts in different platforms and for separate processes. By hiring them, you get all of that expertise.
These experts know your requirements, and you have a higher chance of getting the best product possible within your budget. Outsource developers have the expertise to handle huge tasks like these.
As your business grows, so will the requirement for handling all of that data and operations. An application development company will ensure your app is scalable. Your app will be built to withstand the large influx of data with time.
This method is also very flexible, as the team size can be increased or decreased depending on changing dynamics of the project. The best part is you don’t have to worry about all of that, as your outsourcing partner will take care of it.
A good app development company will provide ongoing support during the project and even after it. This will ensure there are bug fixes and constant updates which address the users’ issues.
Even if you have any issues after the launch of your app, the app development company will provide assistance with it. This is crucial for businesses that are launching their first app.
Launching and developing an application for your business is a risky affair. There are so many variables that can go wrong. This is more true if it is your first time launching an app.
By hiring an experienced application development company, you reduce this risk substantially. They can guide you through the process and help overcome the common pitfalls in the app development process.
Read Also: Mobile App Development Benefits for Popular Industries
If you have decided to outsource the app development, you shouldn’t delay it any further because many things can go wrong.
The cost of your app development can severely increase if you delay outsourcing. It can be due to inflation or the decreased timeline. But it can have a severe impact on the overall cost of the development.
The tech world changes fast. By acting quickly, you can incorporate the newest technology in your app. Something that would provide you with an edge over your competitors. But by sleeping on it, you risk being not the first mover in this department but rather the adopter.
This is more important in competitive markets where big players have a monopoly. They are constantly updating their apps with the latest technology. In order to go head-to-head with them, you need to do the same.
If you are already in a competitive market, time is a crucial factor. By taking your time to outsource app development, you risk delaying the time to market the product. This allows your competitors to launch similar apps, which is a complete disadvantage in any situation.
There are many ways to find your outsourcing partner for app development team. Some of the major ones are listed below:
Freelance websites like UpWork and Fiverr are great if you want to outsource just one part of the app development. However, they should not be your first choice if you want anything more than a basic app. This is because you will mostly find individual app developers.
But if you do like the assurance provided by these sites, opt for agencies rather than individuals. However, some of the top-rated app development companies are not there due to the high commission they charge.
You can find a list of app development companies from any B2B directory, like Clutch. But the flip side is you do have to go through many pages before you find that perfect partner.
You can also select by country and region and get an idea about their hourly charges. But these are mere estimates; the actual cost will vary depending on several factors.
You can simply Google app development companies and find a bunch. Many, like us, invest in content marketing to provide valuable information to our potential customers.
That is a tricky question. Why? Because there’s no one answer for that. The cost of outsourcing your app development depends on various factors. Due to this, you cannot have a ballpark figure for it. It can be anything from $5000 to $100,000. The cost will depend on the following factors;
As is evident from the above list, there are too many things to be considered to give an estimate of the cost to create a mobile application. Your app development partner can give you a good enough estimate if you provide them with the essential details.
Read Also: How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost in 2024?
Hiring an in-house team to develop your mobile app is a time-consuming and resource-heavy way to go about it. You have to go through the hiring of talented techies, pay their salaries and pray that they thrive as a team.
This is more cumbersome if tech is not your strong suit. This can lead to an increased cost of app development, a constant extension of the timeline, and an increased time to market that could be detrimental to your business, especially if you are in a competitive niche with established big players.
By hiring an offshore mobile app development company, you don’t have to worry about all of that. At the same time, there can be genuine concerns regarding outsourcing app development. Most of these concerns can be alleviated with the right partner.
You get tech experts who are veterans in their crafts. You free up your resources and can concentrate on your core competencies rather than worrying about something you don’t know much about.
They help you avoid the common pitfalls of launching your first app by helping you with the procedures of the app stores.
All in all, when you partner with an outsource mobile app development company, it increases your chances of getting a great app for your business.
Outsourcing app development is an efficient and cost-effective way. You can allocate your resources wisely to focus on your competencies and let an expert team handle your app development.
You need to do research before you hand your work to someone. Arka Softwares is a leading app development company that can help you in this regard.