Imagine a world where Slack never became the intuitive platform we all know and use at work. Hard to imagine, right? Think of its beautiful design. It makes navigation so easy!
However, before Slack was such a prominent name in workplace communication, it was just another startup. It did have a solid idea, but no real design direction at all. The product was messy, and the interface was uninspired. Due to this, there wasn’t anything particularly special about it.
So, what changed and why is Slack so popular today?
Well, instead of building everything in-house, Slack’s founders made a secret move. They reached out to MetaLab. It was a Canadian design agency known for creating clean and intuitive user experiences. Slack turned to them for help.
The team at MetaLab didn’t just tweak Slack’s UI a little. They actually overhauled it. They went from redesigning the mobile app and website to creating the now-iconic logo. They helped shape Slack into the polished product we know today.
The most unique part? MetaLab worked its magic offshore! Slack’s internal team doubled down on strategy and growth. The result? A platform that skyrocketed to success! It went up faster than most startups dream of. This was all thanks to the strategic offshore collaboration that paid them off big.
Now imagine if Slack had waited to hire the “perfect” internal team. We’d probably still be emailing meeting links and chasing updates across five platforms.
What is Offshore Software Development?
Offshore software development is when a company hires a remote team in another country. These are often in a different time zone. Basically, the dev team you outsource handles all or part of the software development tasks.
Building a full in-house team can be expensive and time-consuming. This is why businesses often “go offshore” to tap into the same talent at lower prices. Software development companies that outsource their services can work on almost anything. This goes from designing an app and writing code to testing and full-scale product development.
An example:
There is a startup in the U.S. Now, this startup might partner with a software agency in Vietnam to build its product. Their reasons would be simple:
- They want skilled developers and designers.
- They are expecting better and faster turnaround.
- They want a solution that is more cost-efficient than hiring locally.
Offshore never equals low quality. In fact, when done right, it can mean high-quality software. You even get it with faster delivery. Thankfully, you’ll get more room for your in-house team to focus on core business goals.
Why do businesses conduct offshore software outsourcing?
Offshore software outsourcing has become a popular strategy these days. It’s especially like this for companies aiming to stay fast and competitive. Businesses are just realizing the value of partnering with global talent. This way, they are able to get things done more efficiently. A study shows that around 66% of US companies with 50+ employees outsource their development.
But ultimately, this is not just about cutting some costs. Offshore outsourcing actually unlocks a whole range of benefits, such as:
- When you hire an offshore team for development, you can actually focus on what’s important. This is your business.
- When you go across the globe, you also get some extra recognition. This could be great for your business in terms of growth.
- You only have to check in once or twice throughout the day about what’s up. You can spend the rest of your time creating more strategies for marketing and growth.
These are just a few of the reasons why businesses choose offshore software outsourcing. You’ll learn more as you read below.
What are the different Types of software outsourcing?
Outsourcing doesn’t work with the classic one-size-fits-all methodology. It allows you to take different approaches. The one you choose depends on your goals and comfort level. Of course, budget plays a big role here, too.
You have a few options when outsourcing. So, look at them below to decide which one fits your business best:
Offshore
You go offshore when you outsource your software development to a team in a faraway country. The unique thing is that it is often in a completely different time zone. Remember the example we gave above about the U.S. company outsourcing to Vietnam? This would be your business with another country while offshoring.
It’s usually the most cost-effective option. Moreover, it gives you access to global talent and recognition. Actually, the time zone difference can even be a plus. This is because your project moves forward while you sleep. However, you’ll need solid communication to keep everyone in sync across time zones and cultures.
Due to this, 48% of companies are outsourcing their software offshore.
Nearshore
Nearshore software development is like offshore’s cousin. You still get to outsource your work to another country. However, this time, it is geographically nearby. Hence, it is also often in a similar time zone. For example, a company in Germany might partner with developers in Poland or Ukraine.
Nearshore teams offer a great balance between cost savings and smoother collaboration. This is especially because time zones align more easily. This makes communication and agile development a lot more seamless. However, you don’t save as much as offshore. However, many companies still choose nearshore software development.
Onshore
With onshore outsourcing, you partner with a third-party team. Now, this team is generally located within your own country. This could even be in the same city. So technically, if you’re in the U.S., this means hiring a development firm that’s also in the U.S. To get more specific, think of having your company in Chicago and outsourcing in Chicago.
The biggest benefits here are no time zone gaps and no language barriers. Thanks to this, communication is usually fast and clear. This makes it ideal for projects that require a high level of collaboration. Onshore outsourcing is usually the most expensive option. Naturally, due to this, it may not be ideal if you’re working with a tight budget.
Why Choose Offshore Software Outsourcing?
So, why are so many companies turning to offshore software outsourcing? It’s not just some work after all. Offshore outsourcing comes with real and tangible benefits. They can even make a major impact on your ability to scale.
Software development companies even help you discover more about the world of tech. The best part is that you get to make new connections, too! Let’s look at the biggest reasons companies are going global with their development teams:
Cost Savings
Let’s be real here. Whenever it’s about business, saving money is one of the best things. But this is only when you are getting good quality. Thankfully, offshore software outsourcing gives you both!
Building a skilled in-house dev team is expensive. It is even harder for new businesses and startups. In these cases, offshore outsourcing offers a much more budget-friendly option. This is especially true when hiring from countries where the cost of living is lower. Naturally, the development rates will be lower too!
But don’t confuse “cheaper” with “lower quality.” You’re actually getting awesome talent for a fraction of the local price.
Access to Global Talent
Why would you limit yourself to one zip code when the entire world is full of skilled developers? There are so many designers and engineers with amazing skills and expertise.
Offshore software outsourcing gives you access to specialized expertise. It may even be hard or insanely pricey to find locally. Of course, this is based on where you live. It doesn’t matter if you need machine learning experts or UI/UX designers, outsourcing will get you exactly what you need.
No matter what your demand, there’s someone offshore who has already mastered it. The best part is that you can access it easily!
Flexibility
Maybe you need to build an MVP fast or pause your software’s development for a few months. But maybe your team won’t agree with this!
Fortunately, offshore teams offer flexibility that’s hard to match with traditional hiring. You can genuinely scale your team up or down as your needs change. You don’t have to worry about long-term contracts or overhead headaches. This is perfect for businesses that need to stay agile and move in sprints.
Flexibility can give you a lot of benefits in software development. You might need it at the most unexpected times.
Focus on Core Business Functions
Outsourcing your development work lets your internal team focus on what they do best. They should focus on growing the business and refining the strategy.
Your business should be focused on keeping customers happy. Your offshore team handles the tech stuff. Meanwhile, you get to work on execution. You can use this time productively to do better. This should be both for your business and your software. This might be one of the biggest reasons why businesses choose offshore software outsourcing.
By focusing on your main business and its functions, you’re able to work without stress. This is because you don’t have software to worry about.
Scalability
Once you find the right offshore partner, growing genuinely becomes simple and easy. You may need two developers today, but you’ll want ten next month.
You’re worried about how you’ll grow your team? Well, don’t. Because offshore software outsourcing makes it easy to grow your team! The best part? It would be in sync with your product plan without the hiring delays. You can just go a little bit bigger with your budget and get a new member instantly!
Scalability is necessary for software development. You need to have a team that can grow with you. Perhaps this is why so many businesses outsource their software offshore.
What services can you outsource offshore?
Offshore teams can build custom solutions made for your specific workflows and customer expectations. These offshore developers bring both technical skill and fresh perspective to the table.
They do everything an in-house team can, but without the hefty price tag of a local agency. With the right partner, you can create powerful software that grows with your business. This would give you a real competitive edge.
Custom software development
Honestly, nothing beats custom. When you have the flexibility to do whatever you want, it gives you more control. Just name the features you want. An offshore agency will do it right away.
Whatever you need, you won’t have to settle for off-the-shelf stuff. Offshore developers bring skills and affordability, so you get high-quality software. Thankfully, this is without draining your budget. It’s like having a full tech team… minus the hiring headache.
Mobile app development
Have an app idea but no development team? Maybe you have the app but the design sucks. Offshore developers have your back.
They can design and launch mobile apps for iOS and Android quickly. This goes from sleek UIs to backend coding. They cover all the aspects of mobile app development.
You’ll get an app that works smoothly and looks sharp. And the best part? It won’t cost you sky-high dollars. It does not matter if you are working for a startup MVP or a full-featured product. Your offshore members have built it before. Without hesitation, they’ll build it for you.
Web app development
Need a web app that actually works and doesn’t crash every time someone logs in? Offshore web developers are pros at creating fast and secure apps.
No matter if it is an e-commerce site or custom dashboard. They know the latest tech in web app development. They’ve done it all before. Plus, you will save even more compared to hiring locally. Just think of it as getting premium development without the premium price tag!
UI/UX design
Good design isn’t just about looks, it’s about making things easy and fun to use. First impressions are mostly 94% influenced by design.
Offshore UI/UX designers get that. They’ll turn your rough ideas into user-friendly designs that people actually enjoy using. Thankfully, they’re fluent in tools like Figma. Thanks to this, collaborating is a breeze. The UI/UX design has clean layouts and intuitive flows.
Dedicated development team
Why hire one developer when you can have a whole dedicated development team? Offshore dedicated teams are like your remote tech squad.
They work full-time on your project and follow your direction. They fit right into your workflow. You get the flexibility of freelancing and the focus of an in-house job. You get the cost savings of offshore software outsourcing. It’s a win-win.
Maintenance and support
Just launched your app? Well, don’t ghost it just yet. Software isn’t something that you can ignore. Offshore teams can stick around to handle bug fixes and conduct performance checks.
Whatever keeps your software running smoothly, they’ll take care of it. Think of them as your tech crew that keeps everything humming while you focus on growing your business. So, no matter if it’s ongoing support, they’ve got your back long after launch day.
Machine learning and AI
You would probably want to add a smart twist to your product. This can be done with Artificial intelligence. Just think about how machine learning and AI are getting popular.
Most outsource offshore software outsourcing companies can build features like chatbots or predictive tools. The best part? You will not need a PhD in data science. They know how to train models and build stuff that actually works!
Offshore software outsourcing: pros and cons
Offshore software outsourcing sounds like a genuine dream. You get access to awesome talent and lower costs so easily. All you need to do is put effort into finding the right team.
But like any business move, it has its trade-offs too. Let’s look at the full picture here. We’ll see what makes offshore software outsourcing a smart strategy. You need to know what you should watch out for.
What are the Pros of Offshore Software Outsourcing?
Here are the pros of offshore software outsourcing:
- You can access new talent: No need to fight over the same local developers everyone is chasing. Offshore outsourcing opens doors to skilled professionals across the globe.
- Lower development costs: Let’s face it: budget matters. Hiring offshore developers can save startups 40-70% on software development This is compared to local hiring.
- Faster Development Cycles: With offshore teams working while you sleep, you can speed up your product timeline flexibly. Some companies even go 24/7.
- More focus on business: You hand off technical tasks to a trusted offshore team. This way, your in-house staff can focus on core business areas.
What are the Cons of Offshore Software Outsourcing?
Here are the cons of offshore software outsourcing:
- Communication barrier: Language differences or a lack of clarity in instructions can lead to misunderstandings. Setting up strong communication protocols is necessary. You should also use tools like Slack or Trello to stay aligned.
- Time zone differences: Yes, time zone gaps can be both a blessing and a curse. While they enable 24/7 productivity, this can also delay collaboration.
- Security & IP Concerns: There’s always a risk when your product’s source code and sensitive data are shared offshore. It’s important to work with reputable partners.
- Lack of transparency: The team is not always present like an in-house one. This might cause a lack of communication.
Offshore Software Outsourcing with Linkitsoft!
Outsourcing your product’s development can be a fun journey. You’ll get to interact with a new team. It could be across the globe, and you could get exposure to an entirely new culture. Moreover, you’ll even get access to custom software development with the best technology.
As a software development company, we specialize in coding, design, and testing. It doesn’t matter if you want a website or an app, you can outsource with us! We can be your trusted and reliable offshore partner.
We understand your concerns about credibility. You’re probably worried about how we keep data safe. You’ll also want to know if we’re good with our services. However, you’ve got nothing to worry about!
We have worked with several companies offshore. This has taught us how we can improve our transparency. Contact us and we’ll show you our previous projects! Let’s work together and create powerful software that can shake the industry!
Why us?
So, with so many to outsource your services to, you might ask yourself, why choose Linkitsoft? Well, all software development companies are here for the same reason. They want to grow and make money. They’ll work with your software. The unique quality about us is how we value our partners and their growth.
We never treat our partners like our clients. In this long-distance relationship, we understand the importance of honesty and communication. We do our best not to let the time zone affect you or create any communication barriers. So, contact us today! Linkitsoft is ready to provide its high-class services at affordable prices. Watching you grow is our success!
