Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your Mobile App Development
Now that every company is looking to build a mobile app to go digital and stay competitive, outsourcing is becoming a popular method to do this. However, a lot of companies make the mistake of jumping into outsourcing without properly understanding what it is, how it can affect their current set up, and what benefits and risks it may bring about.
In this article, let’s go through the major pros and cons you might face when you outsource your app development needs:
PROS
Cost savings
- Labour costs in countries such as the Philippines and India are significantly lower than those in Western countries. When you outsource, you will be able to hire equally-skilled app developers at lower costs.
- You get to cut down on operating costs. Well-established outsourcing service providers take care of the workspace, equipment, as well as matters such as payroll, HR and general administrative tasks.
Time efficiency
- According to Glassdoor’s data, the interview process alone for software engineers take around 40 days. On the other hand, outsourcing companies are able to help you hire the app developer you need in as fast as 2 weeks because they already have an extensive database of skilled developers locally.
A deep tech talent pool to choose from
- With the geographical limits aside, you now have significantly greater options to choose from when hiring an app developer.
- You are able to leverage the world’s extensive pool of skilled developers.
- You avoid experiencing the tech talent shortage that is plaguing many startups and businesses.
Flexibility
- Hiring an outsourcing company to help you with your app development gives you the flexibility that hiring in-house workers can’t ever provide.
- With an outsourcing service provider, you will be able to hire the expertise you need according to the requirements of your business. Also, outsourcing lets you hire and work with skilled app developers only when you need them.
Scalability
- Outsourcing companies are able to help you scale up your development team quickly when you need it. (Scalability is something that you cannot really enjoy when hiring in-house workers since the hiring process takes a lot of time)
CONS
Possible communication gaps
- The time zone differences and cultural difference can create barriers between you and your outsourced developers
(*Some businesses and startups have suffered from this, while others managed to break the barrier and keep their outsourced development team close.)
Logistical challenges
- Big time differences can give both you and your outsourced developers a hard time especially when picking a time for meetings. Fortunately, there are outsourcing companies which are able to address this concern by having dedicated developers who are willing to work during their clients’ time zones, making it significantly easier for both parties to talk throughout the day.
Confidentiality and security risk
- This is an issue that happens even with in-house developers. When you outsource with the cheapest outsourcing service provider, you are at a greater risk of having sensitive and confidential information leaked.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT THIS?
There are pros of hiring outsourced app developers just as how there are cons and risks. Before making any move, it is best for you to closely examine first if your business really needs to outsource the app development or not.
If you evaluated that outsourcing is indeed the best move for you, be sure to carefully study all the outsourcing companies you are choosing from. After all, the success in an outsourced software development project greatly depends on choosing the right outsourcing partner for you.
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