Blogs » Outsource Your Mobile App Development Project Effectively with These 4 Tips
64% of IT leaders outsource development, and 37% of companies expect to increase their mobile app outsourcing capabilities over the coming years. For businesses leaders, entrepreneurs, and bootstrapped startups, mobile app outsourcing can cut costs, increase efficiencies, and create competitive advantages that drive profitability.
But where do you start?
If your business is looking to leverage the incredible flexibility and cost-savings of outsourced mobile app development, you’re in the right place. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your next outsourced app project is successful.
Table of Contents
Why Outsource Your Mobile App Development?
The mobile app market is booming. With the average American checking their phone every 12 minutes and 90% of that time spent in mobile apps, tapping into the rich consumer app market is appealing to savvy entrepreneurs. By 2022, consumers will download over 250 billion apps, creating a +$150 billion industry on app stores alone. In fact, the average iPhone user spends $88 on apps and in-app purchases over the course of a year. On the business side, internal apps can help promote remote work capabilities and connect employees with rich resources and communication tools. There are obvious reasons that businesses want to develop apps. They either want to tap into the consumer market to create profit streams and generate loyalty, or they’re looking to leverage internal apps to improve engagement levels and connect users across geographic locations. But why outsource apps instead of developing them in-house? In general, there are four reasons:- It is cheaper
- It gives you scale
- It is high flexibility
- Outsourcing provides critical on-demand talent
4 Tips In Outsourcing Mobile App Development Smarter
Let’s look at five simple steps that your business should take when looking for and utilizing an outsourced app development partner.1. Pick the Right App Development Partner
This sounds obvious, right? Of course, you want to find the right partner. But there are thousands of app development companies on the market. And they will all give you their spiel about how they’re the best-of-the-best. There are four primary types of outsourced app development companies:- Onshore: These are app development companies that are based in the United States. The benefits here are obvious. They provide a clear, consistent line of communication. They’re fluent in English and capable of communicating complex goals and KPIs. And they’re a physical face that you can connect with. In general, onshore app development companies cost a little more. But, the benefit of having easy and open communication may facilitate speedier deliveries — which may end up costing you less in the long run.
- Nearshore: These are app development companies located in countries nearby. For US companies, nearshore developers are usually in Mexico and Canada. The costs vary wildly for these types of businesses, depending upon where they’re located.
- Offshore: These are app development companies that are located overseas. They are generally cheaper, but time zone differences and communication frictions can add an extra layer of pain points if you’re not prepared.
- Hybrid: These are app development companies that leverage both a local and offshore workforce. This is the more balanced solution. Companies can still rely on local service, but they get the cost savings since the bulk of the actionable work is performed offshore.
- Can they develop both iOS and Android apps?
- Do they work with wearables (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbits, etc.)
- Can they create responsive web apps?
- Can they write API?
- Can they integrate with your current or third-party solutions?
- Can they leverage or deploy to the cloud?
- Will they help in submissions to the App Store and Play Store?
- Do they help in app development strategy?
- Do they help in growth strategy?
- Can they create plugins?
- Do they offer cross-platform hybrid mobile app development