There is no denying that for some businesses, hiring software developers from overseas is a practical way to get a job done. Other businesses, however, have had terrible experiences and only hire local developers. So how do you know which option is right for your business? Well, you’ll need to consider the pros and cons of outsourcing your software development.
Pros
Price. This is the largest and most-talked-about advantage of outsourcing software development. Local developers can charge upwards of $100 an hour, and many businesses choose to use foreign developers that will work for a fraction of the cost.
Many entrepreneurs and business owners assert that you can get more value for your dollar by outsourcing developers. After all, to many it doesn’t make sense to pay more money for what could very well be the same product.
No Commitment. One aspect that many entrepreneurs do not consider is that overseas developers do are not long-term hires. They will typically do one or two jobs for you, then are gone.
This can be seen as advantageous to business owners that are not looking for a long-term business relationship and only need a small number of projects completed.
Versatility. While local developers may be hard to come by, there are usually plenty of developers overseas that can be considered for a job. This gives business owners more options when choosing a developer to work with, and allows them to be a bit more picky.
These developers often come from a variety of backgrounds, so there is no need to worry about needing to translate a website at the end of the project. There is always the option to find someone with fluent English skills.
Of course, just as there are pros to outsourcing software development, there are also cons. What are some of the reasons why it may be best to hire a local software developer?
Cons
Commitment. Local developers believe in your business and have agreed to work with you because they are passionate about your work. They are far more invested in your success than overseas developers that have never spoken to you face-to-face.
This makes them far more likely to see a job through to the end, and even to be available in the future when you need more work done.
Context. A local developer understands the needs of you and your business because they are in the same space that you are. They understand what the local market wants and can meet these needs far more easily.
It is also easier to direct someone when you can check in on their work periodically, whereas with an overseas developer you typically only see the finished product. This offers far less creative control.
Additionally, local developers know where your business is struggling and can offer possible solutions. These are highly creative individuals that are happy to let their creativity work for you.
Mutual Gain. When a local developer does a good job, they can reasonably assume that they will get more work from you. This means that they will put the most possible effort into your business, because they want to keep working with you.
This is opposed to an outsourced developer, who will know from the start that they are unlikely to work with you again. This means that they do not need to put in nearly as much effort into the final product, just enough to make it passable and get paid.
For this reason, many businesses find they get the best results with local developers.
Summary
Some businesses have found that outsourcing their software development has worked for them, while others have found themselves disappointed. Ultimately, it comes down to what is right for you as an entrepreneur. By considering the pros and cons to each side, you can make an informed choice.
Dennis Hung is an entrepreneur and product analyst specializing in mobile technology and IoT. He’s spent most of his career consulting for businesses in North America.
