HOW TO OUTSOURCE MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED COSTS
MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT OUTSOURCING
There are many myths about outsourcing mobile app development. It’s time to get rid of a few. Find everything you need to outsource application development and get a step-by-step guide on how to effectively outsource your project.
Good ideas tend to turn into world-class products. Mobile app ideas are worth a try. But to see if your idea has the potential to reach the market, you need to be prepared to put a lot of time and effort to development, design, and technical support.
If you’re ready for hard work, but don’t have the necessary skills, you might want to consider outsourcing your app development. We have provided some tips on how to make working with remote tech teams while eliminating risk and stress.
This article covers the following points:
- Preparation of application requirements
- Communication with potential outsourced candidates
- Portfolio valuation
- Important questions for companies on the candidate list
- Choose an offshore application development provider
- Definition of sprints and expectations
Why Do You Outsource App Development Projects?
If you want to build an app but do not have the technical skills, you have three options: hire a team to develop software in-house, hire freelance software developers, or outsource software development firm.
1. Hire a team to develop software in-house
Pros: You are in the same building so you can chat anything at any time
Cons: Even if you don’t have enough work to keep your developers busy, you still have to pay them full-time.
2. Hire a team to develop software in-house
Pros: Freelancers often charge a good price and gain experience
Cons: Freelancers are not always reliable and can be lost
3. Outsourcing a software development company
Pros: Outsourcing companies have trusted partners and you only pay for the amount of work done
Cons: Communication problems can arise with foreign companies and prices vary greatly.
Outsourced application development can seem risk. You should leave your ideas and your money with someone you have never met before. The tips in this article will help you successfully develop and select a reasonably priced agency.
Costs For Outsourced Application Development
Why do you need to review outsourcing? First, it can save you thousands of dollars for the price difference between regions. The map below tells app developers in North America, Western Europe and Australia that the highest rates of up to $ 250 per hour will be available.
Developers in Eastern Europe (especially Ukraine, Poland and Belarus) offer similar high-quality software, from $ 30 per hour to $ 110 per hour, 2-3 times cheaper.
Companies in South Asia, East Asia and Africa offer rates of $ 10 per hour, but there is a problem. App developers in this area have a questionable reputation and they certainly don’t want to bet on the quality of their apps.
Outsourcing the development of mobile applications gives you access to the best professionals in the world. Also, in most cases, it can save you a lot compared to the cost of similar services in your country.
Start With MVP
Developing a complete application can take years and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This makes it impossible for many entrepreneurs to even try to start a software company. They just aren’t willing to risk savings at the expense of most of their life. However, it is much safer to start with the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Also Read: Startup MVP Insights To Use For Your Success When you start with MVP, you implement the idea with minimal resources and validate its feasibility. The goal is to launch the product as quickly as possible and start proving the concept to real users.
Once the idea shows some possibilities, you can continue to develop new features. Plus, well-implemented ideas typically attract investors, so you don’t have to rely solely on personal savings or loans. Think of outsourcing your MVP application as an opportunity to get started with your ideas.
How To Outsource Application Development For Better Results
We also discuss the potential risks of application development outsourcing and how you can plan and avoid them. Get ready to outsource the right way.
1. Define the requirements
Start-ups and established companies make the same mistakes when they outsource application development: They don’t really know what they need.
If you want this to happen, we recommend starting with a business plan. Creating a business plan can help you analyze your needs, assess your potential and understand what you expect from a mobile app outsourcing company.
– How to define project requirements
First, analyze your market, niche, and audience. Then answer the following questions:
a. What platforms does the app support at launch?
Supporting the platform is difficult and predetermining can save a lot of time. Typically, you have to choose between native iOS and Android apps, hybrid apps that run on iOS, Android and other platforms and web apps.
b. Which technology do you want to develop your application?
The answer to this question is optional. You can discuss the technology with companies that have chosen to outsource application development. However, knowing the technical requirements ahead of time can save you time in finding the right contractor. The tech stack depends on the chosen approach (native, web or hybrid development).
c. What kind of function do you want to see? What features does MVP contain?
First of all, you need to understand the potential of your application. However, the immediate implementation of all possible features is a bad idea. Consider first the minimum set of features you can offer. However, be prepared for the discussion. Developers may present other options based on their experience with similar projects. Also keep in mind that developing your own resources takes longer than developing common assets.
2. Create a list of app development companies
Finding and adopting the best application development outsourcing providers is always difficult. Here are some tips to help you choose quickly and accurately.
- Look on Upwork: Upwork is a great place to find a contractor because it says a lot about individuals and agencies, including the number of projects completed, ratings, and ratings. With this information, you can imagine what your partnership will look like before you get started. In addition, when you sign a contract through Upwork, you are protected by strict rules.
- See company profiles on the evaluation website: First of all, you need to have access to Clutch and Goodfirms. These sites allow clients to leave many comments and explain their feelings when working with outsourcing companies.
- Search on Google: If you plan to build an Internet of Things product, search Google for “Mobile Application Development Companies”. If you want to build a logistics solution, look for “logistics software developer”. By following this approach, technology partners will have the skills to create the best products in the market.
- Recommendation: Perhaps one of your relationships is already with app development outsourcing. Just ask for a tip!
When the list of outsourcing firms is ready, prepare for interviews, portfolio reviews, and negotiations.
3. Contact the director of the outsourcing agency
There are practical tips to help you determine if an outsourcing company is what you are looking for:
Displays the number of questions asked by the company
The right company wants to know as much as possible about potentially functional products. Many questions (including disadvantages) indicate a desire to clarify all the details.
Don’t avoid inconvenient subjects
The good entrepreneur understands your weaknesses and is ready to discuss them. After all, you’re paying for your ability and interest in your project, not praise.
Avoid one-way communication
Be willing not only to answer questions, but also to ask questions and challenge things. Make a list of questions that can influence your choice of entrepreneur and feel free to ask them all.
Don’t be tempted by sweet words right away. Discover the experience of every company on your list!
4. Select a pricing strategy
First of all, you have to choose between time & material and a fixed-price model:
Fixed price
This model can only be run if you have clear product specifications and are confident it will not change. In that case you can agree on a fixed price, set an exact deadline and get started. Fixed pricing is often chosen when working with offshore companies, creating the false illusion that you are in control of the process. In some cases, however, fixed-price projects force app developers to ignore issues in order to stay on time and on budget. The fixed price approach is becoming obsolete because time and resources can lead to better results.
Time & materials
With the introduction of agile application development, flexibility has become important. The time and resource approach was appreciated as tight deadlines and fixed prices only allow for flexibility. This allows you to adjust your original plan, respond quickly to changes and coordinate your development process. It is more difficult to predict a product’s final price over time and materials, but better quality and marketability are worth it.
5. Define sprints and expectations
Waterfall
The waterfall method is usually applied when you have a fixed price and strict deadlines. With Waterfall, you know exactly what the final product should look like and you develop it step by step without looking back or significant changes.
Agile
An agile methodology provides a lot of flexibility. With Agile, you divide the project into sprints, developing small pieces of functionality one after the other. Your outsourcing team continuously tests, measures and improves the product to better meet market needs. As a result, the end product may be very different from the initial idea, but it will meet the expectations of end users.
Conclusion
Outsourced app development is sometimes seen as risky. And it’s. There are thousands of outsourcing companies around the world, but not all of them offer truly high quality service. If you want to partner with a top performer and get the most out of your cooperation, carefully choose your outsourcing provider based on the tips we’ve provided.
If you are looking for a mobile application design and development company that provides solutions for your business, we are happy to offer our services. Contact the experts of Sosene Software for any questions on mobile application development!
