Application development outsourcing has become very common as companies try to reduce costs and keep overheads low while building apps in a highly competitive environment. However, the process hasn’t been without its critics.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons you may experience when you outsource app development.

The cons of application development outsourcing

There are hundreds of mobile app development outsourcing companies on the market who will promise you everything under the sun, but the reality isn’t always as rosy as they claim it will be.

Some of the cons to consider include:

Confusing code

Many companies start by outsourcing app developers and then hire their in-house team as they scale and become more successful. Others switch offshore development teams to save costs or because the agreement doesn’t serve them anymore. However, this can have some disadvantages. Since the code is being passed between numerous different people, it can become confusing and may even need to be rewritten at some point.

Business risks

All companies face risks. But when you outsource app developers, you may not have clear insight into the business risks you face. The company may go bankrupt, fail to pay its employees, or even close altogether and leave you with an incomplete project. This is why it’s crucial to always do your research before signing on the dotted line.

Time differences and language or cultural barriers

When you outsource mobile app development to another country, cost shouldn’t be your only consideration. For example, you may find that time zone differences make it difficult to communicate or find overlapping times to meet and work on projects together.

Some teams also have cultural considerations that can affect the way you work. For example, in Western Europe, it isn’t unusual for junior team members to challenge senior team members and speak their minds. In China, developers are very mindful of the pecking order and may not speak in meetings or participate like a team would in the US or UK. Others may have trouble communicating in spoken English and prefer to communicate exclusively in writing.

Advertisements

class="wp-block-heading">The pros of application development outsourcing

None of the cons mean that outsourced app development isn’t a good fit for your business. It’s essential to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision. Here are some of the advantages:

Saving time and money

Working with outsourced developers will save money because you don’t have the cost of recruiting, arranging an office to hire, sick days, vacations, benefits, and overheads. You can also scale up your project at any time. Using outsourced developers means the project can start right away; there’s no need to go through the entire recruitment process.

Flexibility

Outsourcing enables you to find and change developers and their roles whenever you need to. This level of flexibility isn’t always possible with an internal team. It may cause contractual issues or lead to conflicts. It can also take months to assemble an in-house team to build an app project. When you use app development outsourcing, the entire process is sped up. There’s also financial flexibility and numerous payment models to choose from, which makes it easier for startups with unpredictable incomes.

Quality

If you outsource development to countries where rates are lower, you can access specialties and senior developers you may not otherwise be able to afford. It’s also much safer than hiring freelancers with no proven track record. The developers will also come with their own equipment and software, giving you access to some of the best equipment without the upfront investment on your side.

Turnkey solutions

You can access skilled IT workers through outsourcing every step of the way. This includes business analysis, coding, implementation, testing, quality assurance, and system maintenance. You don’t need to lift a finger to get your project off the ground if you don’t want to.

Conclusion

Is application development outsourcing still worth it? The answer depends on your needs. In general, while there may be pros and cons, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Do your research and take steps to protect yourself, and it will be worth the investment.