How To Outsource App Development: The 2023 Edition
With 7 billion smartphone users worldwide, more and more businesses are investing in mobile app development to expand their reach. And they have two options — deploying its in-house team or outsourcing. The latter is becoming an increasingly popular choice due to its numerous advantages.
Read our comprehensive article on the benefits, considerations, costs, and best practices of outsourcing mobile app development to make an informed decision for your business’s growth.
Why outsource mobile app development
Outsourcing mobile app development offers a plethora of benefits that can significantly impact a business’s growth and success. Here are some compelling advantages to consider:
- Streamlined workflow
Outsourcing app development enhances focus on core business operations while maintaining high product quality without sacrificing corporate responsibilities or meetings. This approach empowers in-house teams to allocate their energies towards strategic tasks, fostering both efficiency and innovation within the organization.
- Expertise & talent
As the talent shortage intensifies, hiring skilled IT specialists with specialized expertise becomes increasingly challenging. The cream of the crop is often employed by mobile app outsourcing companies or tech giants like Facebook. Those who secure talent from the labor market might face higher rates. Outsourcing to freelancers or development agencies provides access to a diverse talent pool of seasoned experts at a cost-effective rate.
- Cost savings
Outsourcing proves more cost-effective than in-house app development due to the elimination of:
- Equipment purchases for new IT specialists
- Additional workspace rentals
- Hiring and training plus IT professionals’ salaries and supplementary HR expenses
- Time savings
In-house development requires plenty of preparation. You need to provide space and equipment, hire and onboard skilled professionals, and ensure the team is coordinated for optimal performance; accomplishing these initial tasks might span several months. With mobile app development outsourcing, all these steps are eliminated.
Unlock a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and potential risks of outsourcing mobile app development. Explore the full spectrum of insights and make an informed decision for your development journey.
6 Steps to outsource mobile app development
You have an application concept that sparks your enthusiasm, and now you are ready to outsource developers to put your idea into reality. Where to start? Here are 6 easy steps to follow:
- Start with your project requirements.
Before you embark on outsourcing your app development, outline your project requirements thoroughly. Define the app’s purpose, functionalities, target audience, and any specific technical specifications. A well-documented project scope serves as the foundation for effective communication with potential development partners.
- Estimate your budget.
Understand your budget limitations and allocate resources accordingly. Determine how much you’re willing to invest in the app development process, considering factors like design, coding, testing, and ongoing maintenance. Having a clear budget range will help you filter out potential partners whose pricing doesn’t align with your financial plans.
- Explore onshore, nearshore, and offshore development options.
When considering how to outsource application development, you’ll encounter three provider categories based on their proximity to you: onshore, nearshore, and offshore.
- Onshore developers operate within your country, facilitating seamless communication due to proximity.
- Nearshore firms are situated in neighboring countries or on the same continent, offering relatively accessible communication.
- Offshore developers are located farthest away, potentially posing challenges due to significant time zone differences. But effective communication can mitigate these issues.
- Check portfolio and reviews.
Review the portfolios of potential development partners to gauge their expertise and capabilities. Look for projects similar to yours and assess their quality, user experience, and overall performance. Reading client reviews and testimonials can provide insights into their reliability, communication skills, and project management.
- Choose the desired service model.
You have the option to outsource mobile app development using three service models, determined by responsibilities and involvement:
- Dedicated team. Collaborate with an outsourcing company providing a full-cycle team, where they handle tasks and quality, while you retain decision-making control.
- Project-based. Work within a fixed budget and predefined requirements, sharing specifications upfront and awaiting results by a set deadline.
- Staff augmentation. Complement your in-house team with specialists for specific tasks, with you overseeing development, schedules, vacations, and salaries.
- Select payment model.
Two commonly employed payment models are:
- Fixed price. Payment is predetermined and fixed, aligned with the project’s technical specifications and scope. Typically suited for smaller, straightforward app developments like a startup’s MVP.
- Time & material. This model suits scenarios where workload assessment is challenging or clients seek flexibility to adjust app development. Payments are made incrementally based on developers’ agreed hourly rates, accommodating dynamic project evolution.
Where to look for offshore mobile app developers
There are various places to find top tech talents:
- Developers’ blogs
Development teams maintain tech blogs that showcase their app development insights through tips and case studies. If their expertise aligns with your project concept, don’t hesitate to reach out to such a company.
- Freelance websites
Various freelance sites like Upwork may also come in handy. However, it’s quite a risky option because you can never be sure that the specialist possesses the necessary skills at the desired level and is reliable.
- B2B directories
These platforms compile a directory of firms that offer outsourced application development services. The companies are categorized based on their location, ratings, and skill sets. Clutch, a prominent B2B platform specializing in locating app developers, provides sophisticated search options, categorization, classification, and even testimonials from past clients.
- Staff augmentation companies
This is the most reliable option. Partnering with established firms like Red Jumpers not only ensures access to top-tier tech talents for your mobile app development but also brings a wealth of industry expertise to drive your project’s success.
Uncover possibilities and elevate your project to new levels of success! Partner with Red Jumpers today.
The cost of outsourcing app development
Well, nobody can give you the exact sum because there are multiple factors defining the final cost of outsourcing mobile app development. They are as follows:
- App type & complexity
- Back-end infrastructure
- Development approach
- Vendor’s geographic location
- App purpose
- Supported platform
- The complexity of UI/UX design
- Urgency
Typically, the development of a mobile app includes the specification phase, visual prototyping, design for Android & iOS, iOS app development, Android app development, setting up the backend infrastructure, and designing the admin panel. How much time you will need to complete all these stages depends on the above-mentioned factors. However, with an average rate of $50/hour for Android and iOS mobile app in the US, you can rely on the following minimum prices:
- $20,000-$50,000 for a simple app with basic features, simple user interfaces, and minimal integration with backend services.
- $50,000-$80,000 for a medium-complexity app with more advanced features, moderate UI/UX design, and integration with several third-party services.
- $80,000-$120,000+ for a highly complex mobile app with intricate features, sophisticated UI/UX design, complex backend systems, and integration with various external APIs.
Conclusions
Opting for app development outsourcing brings about cost savings, heightened team efficiency, and timely project delivery. This collaborative approach accommodates diverse businesses, including startups, mid-sized enterprises, and large corporations. To fully leverage the advantages of app development outsourcing, meticulous team selection is vital.
If you’re seeking reliable and skilled developers, reach out to Red Jumpers to streamline your app development process and ensure successful project outcomes.
September 03, 2023
