Why Outsourcing Software Development Is a Good Idea and the 3 Questions You

Why Outsourcing Software Development Is a Good Idea and the 3 Questions You

Slack, Skype, Klout, AppSumo, Github: what do these companies have in common? These successful companies were built on outsourcing and they aren’t shy in telling that they outsourced their software development. Companies outsource to acquire talent and experts already skilled in software development at the fraction of the cost to hire, train, and retain onshore applicants. They are already experienced, knowledgeable and reasonably-priced without scrimping on output and deliverables. Truth be told, this is the more economical option than sourcing and building an in-house team of developers. Intrigued and want to try this route? Outsourcing software development is no easy thing to swallow even consider compared to tasks such as content creation, SEO, or social media marketing. If you think you can handle the dive, these are 3 bullet points to ponder.

Location, Location, Location

Much like real estate, location matters. You can try out different types of outsourcing such as nearshoring or offshoring. Why? Because for huge commitments like this, time zones matter. You need to have constant and clear communication with your outsourcing partner. You need to work with them, have meeting with them, and collaborate with them when you need them preferably within your working hours. With so many software development outsourcing providers, you can definitely pick a country that closely matches your timezone. Or you can look for a company in contrast with your timezone so you can have someone working ’round the clock, even if you asleep. Or much better, go to an outsourcing partner who can adjust to your timezone just to accommodate your needs and have their team work in shifts just to quickly work on your project and quickly covering any problems.

Quality or Price?

“You can have it all, not just all at once” Oprah quoted eons ago. And the same adage applies to software development. Each has its own advantages and uses. If you have simple project that needs to get done and no complex coding would be done or you just need things done fast, consider the price-concerned developer, they will execute your needed task quickly for a fixed price. But if you want something long-term or involve hard-core coding and the project’s nature is pretty intense, consider the quality-concerned developer. They may be quite selective with the projects they take, but it’s all for a good cause because they have mastered the skills needed for a specific craft of coding. They also take time and materials needed in the costing of their services. Again, you can’t have them both so choose wisely.

Once You Meet Them, Test Them!

If you have struck gold and found a potential partner that fits the bill, assess them brutally. Why? If you’re going to invest in them and work with them closely, you better see results in a timely manner. Grill them on their tech know-how and their work ethic, since you are going to work with them very closely. Ask them about their experience and the types of clients they work with. Check their portfolio and ask them situation-specific questions to see how they fare under pressure. Outsourcing software development is an investment and you better be getting your money’s worth.

Programming