There is a growing number of people using mobile devices. Respectively, it means that more people need more mobile applications. As a result, new mobile app development companies have appeared. Yet, while there is a demand for mobile applications, not all firms choose the proper strategies for delivering the product. In a nutshell, tech companies can either use in-house development or engage in outsourcing IT development.
For startups and young businesses, outsourcing mobile app development is one of the key strategies to consider. Why? There are two primary reasons to consider.
First, Grand View Research indicates that the global mobile application market was valued at $154.05 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.5% by 2027. It means that the market is growing and will grow in the future. With the high demand, it is the perfect time for new entrants to meet the demand.
Second, Statista argues that in 2017 alone, skyward application development was outsourced by more than 64% of tech companies. In such a case, young businesses need to follow the existing path of outsourcing mobile app development because it works, and other firms proved that with trial and error.
If you wonder how to develop an app through outsourcing and outsourcing software development, we’ve collected some insights that establish the foundation for the process. These are the basics you need to know to choose the best mobile app development strategy to meet your business objectives and the needs of your clientele.
Essentially, in-house software development means that you have a company of developers who work in your office and have long-term contracts. There are sufficient resources and talent to engage in application development without the help of any third parties. In such a case, one can speak about both pros and cons of app development with in-house developers.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a team of in-house developers. The key aspect is to understand whether, in your situation, the benefits outweigh the challenges.
In addition to understanding the pros and cons of outsourcing options, it is crucial to determine the outsourcing options available. Generally, there are three approaches to choose from:
The option includes hiring developers farthest from the client, usually 8 or 10 time zones away.
The disadvantages of offshoring usually include complications in communication (both because of time zones and probable cultural differences), lack of control, and possible legal issues.
The benefits of offshoring include the ability to choose from a bigger pool of talents, lower salaries, and lower taxes.
However, there are a few things one should consider when deciding to hire an offshore team. According to Harvard Business Review, offshoring does not always pay off: studies show that half of the organizations that chose offshoring do not receive expected financial benefits.
The option includes outsourcing projects to people working from countries bordering the client’s nation.
By choosing to hire a nearshore team, one is expecting to have great communication due to a similar mentality and work approach, more convenient team schedules, and more control over the process.
However, nearshoring also has its cons. First of all, the cost of nearshoring is definitely higher than offshoring. And one also gets a much smaller talent pool when choosing nearshoring. So in some cases, choosing nearshoring can simply be inefficient.
The option includes outsourcing mobile app development to experts in the same country as you.
This option is definitely the most expensive one. However, it is also the least risky as both companies work under the same legislation, and there are the same work ethics, business approach, and no language barrier.
So why not always choose onshoring? Well, it is not cheap as we've mentioned it before so for some startups nearshoring and offshoring are better options money-wise. Also, sometimes there are just not enough talents in one's country to meet the needs and expectations of the business.
Considering all the options mentioned above, it is crucial to look at the other side of the coin. It means determining whether outsourcing mobile app development can be potentially more advantageous than disadvantageous.
Keeping all the elements in mind, in-house and outsourcing mobile app development grants advantages and disadvantages. Choosing between managing an in-house team of software developers and determining whether outsourcing is your option, it is crucial to consider all the available pros and cons and consider the best approach.
Outsourcing mobile app development requires choosing a particular approach. Because there is a growing demand for software outsourcing in general, there is an increasing number of vendors offering their services through a range of platforms. You can choose between three key outsourcing options - outsourcing company, freelancers, and mixed model. Let’s review each one in detail.
Outsourcing company. With this approach, you get a chance to outsource your project entirely or its parts. It means you can outsource recruiting company to get talent or outsource a sales and marketing company to get a new marketing campaign. Yet, for outsourcing mobile app development, you can hire an entire company with its team of developers. They can offer high-quality services for lower prices than having in-house development. Respectively, there are pros of hiring an outsourcing company:
Freelancers. Such an approach often entails balancing between attractive hourly rates and relevant experience. Yet, when working with freelancers, you cannot ensure that high-quality services will be offered. Most companies working with freelance developers highlight the existing management issues in mobile app development. Respectively, there are also pros to hiring freelancers:
Mixed model. This option is often perceived as the quickest to launch. Also known as an off-the-shelf solution, the hybrid model entails looking for quick updates to meet the rapid market changes. In other words, if you need to update your application fast, the hybrid model can be a solution to look for. Naturally, there are particular pros to the approach:
Keeping all three methods in mind, you should choose the one that fits your desires. Consider the budget, resources, and complexity of the project. Based on such factors, any company can determine whether it can afford to hire an outsourcing company or should appeal to freelancers. It is the part to have an understanding of your objectives and possibilities. From the insights, you can select the best option on the market.
Custom mobile app development is a process requiring much input. Yet, particular signs indicate that you need to choose mobile app outsourcing rather than in-house software development.
Following is the checklist to consider. It should point you toward outsourcing:
The factors mentioned above suggest whether you should consider outsourcing mobile app development. These internal factors illustrate how your company is ready for outsourcing. Yet, there are also external factors that must be regarded when focusing on outsourcing mobile app development:
Outsourcing mobile application development stems from both internal and external factors. Look at those factors and calculate all the pros and cons. Then, make your decision. To help you with that, we’ve analyzed a massive amount of information and squeezed it into seven straightforward but important steps toward the best approaches to outsourcing mobile app development.
Your company receives a blueprint for easy and effective outsourcing mobile app development following the steps outlined below.
Outlining the project ensures that you understand each stage of outsourcing. As a starting point, it is crucial to focus on three key steps:
In the context of the phases mentioned above, you need to consider many questions. For business objectives, you need to ask yourself what your company's endgame is and what you intend to achieve with a mobile application? In terms of user expectations, it is crucial to consider how consumers will interact with the app and determine the app’s core functionality. Finally, clarifying app requirements stems from choosing whether it would be custom iOS app development, Android application, or a hybrid app. Also, consider the levels of authorization to anticipate potential issues with security.
Respectively, outlining the project stems from understanding what the application should achieve and how users will interact with it.
After having your product outlined, the important part is determining whether you appeal to freelancers or a software development company to get mobile app development done. When selecting a company to work with or freelancers, it is crucial to find the best one. Consider the following substeps:
Choosing between a mobile app development company and freelancers is crucial to understand how further steps can be taken. Go through the phrases mentioned above, and you’ll have a good chance to select a proper development partner.
You need to consider various platforms and websites depending on the previous step. Narrowing down the number of choices, you can select the following options:
Look through the websites and platforms mentioned above. They grant you crucial insights that help you move further with the project. Besides, you need also to consider what platform and website to visit if you emphasize working with individual freelancers or outsourcing companies.
When you need something new, you need to pay for it. Basic resources are the following: time, budget, technical, and management capabilities.
If you don’t have enough time and money, you need to look for a ready-made solution. In other words, with limited budget and time, appeal to freelancers. However, suppose you are looking for a more complex project to be done, which includes help with coding, design, and management. In that case, you need to look for an outsourcing mobile app development company.
Depending on your budget, different options are at your disposal. Often, the difference can be drastic. Usually, off-the-shelf applications are the cheapest to develop. However, they rarely stand out and are not considered unique. The most expensive and special applications are offered either by freelance developers or software development companies.
However, if you know where to look and what factors to focus on, you can find an outsourcing company with reasonable prices and proper quality. So, look at the sources mentioned above and consider our insights to find such an option. Yet, don’t forget to estimate the budget based on your business objectives and available resources.
Understanding the market is crucial for understanding the options you have. From thousands and thousands of mobile app development companies on the market, you are looking for the few that meet your needs. When looking at the market, focus on geography and communication.
As it was mentioned above, there are three options: offshoring, nearshoring, and onshoring. Outsourcing to the experts near you is the easiest yet most expensive. Outsourcing to professionals farthest from your company is the cheapest yet most difficult. Nearshoring is the option that stands between the two.
At this point, you need to explore the market. Take into account the budget. And determine whether you need to choose offshoring, onshoring, or nearshoring.
When you’ve selected the candidates, it is time to narrow down the pool. As a starting point, look at the candidates' portfolios to understand what questions to ask. Focus on aspects like expertise, tech stacks, and management capabilities. Further, make a list of questions you want a candidate to answer. For instance, these can be the following:
These questions can help you determine whether the candidate in front of you is the right one.
The final step is the easiest one. When you have conducted the interviews and selected the partner, it is time to send the paperwork and proceed with the mobile app development. Emphasize communication and try to have fun during collaboration and cooperation.
It is no secret that many companies fail when it comes to outsourcing. To help you avoid being among them, consider the following common mistake in mobile app development outsourcing:
Getting a job done and having a unique app at the end of the process often depends on the ability of partners to avoid the mistakes mentioned above. If you want to have a product that stands out, you need to pay attention to each stage of development and consider the failures of your predecessors.
As you can see now, mobile app development is a process that relies on a number of factors. Like any other process, there are certain steps involved. Dealing with a structural issue requires a structural response. You are now equipped to engage in a successful outsourcing mobile app development process following the guidelines outlined above.
Start outlining your objectives, looking at resources, and searching for development partners. Yet, the most important factor to consider is whether you can afford to avoid outsourcing in the first place. Don’t forget that many companies fail and face mistakes because they underestimate the importance of looking into details.
Roman Zomko
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