A Detailed Guide to Outsourcing Mobile App Development Successfully in 2023 (Part II)

Welcome to Part II of “A Detailed Guide to Outsourcing Mobile App Development Successfully in 2023.” In Part I, we explored the ins and outs of outsourcing app development, discussed when it’s the right choice, and highlighted both its advantages and potential pitfalls.

Now, in Part II, we’re ready to take you a step further. We’ll walk you through a three-step process to simplify your outsourcing journey. Additionally, we’ll address the essential topic of risk-free mobile app development outsourcing and the associated costs.

If you’re considering outsourcing your mobile app project or taking the plunge, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the terrain successfully. 

Let’s dive in!

How to Simply Outsource Mobile App Development in 3 Easy Steps

So, you’ve chosen to hire an external team for your mobile app development, which is fantastic. Now, the next step is figuring out how to begin. Here’s my advice: Clarify your expectations for the team you want to assemble. To help with this, follow these straightforward steps:

#Step 1: MVP preparation and project planning

A reliable app development outsourcing company can assist you with market research and business analysis. However, it’s vital to have a well-defined vision for your product. This clarity will simplify selecting a service provider and setting expectations for the outcome. 

Additionally, clear guidelines become even more valuable if you collaborate with individual app developers rather than a company. Miscommunication could result in an app that aligns differently from your intentions.

To ensure clarity, prepare answers to these critical questions:

• What are your goals for the app?

• What issue should the app address for its users?

• Are you planning to create an iOS, Android, or both?

• Have you considered a hybrid app?

• What are the essential features you require?

• How do you intend to generate revenue through your app?

#Step 2: Hiring the right offshore development team

When choosing an app development company from the multitude available, you’ll want to consider factors like their experience with the platform you’re targeting, their proficiency in the necessary technologies, and more. Additionally, you need to factor in geography and communication.

There are three types of development providers based on their location relative to you: onshore, nearshore, and offshore. When researching how to outsource app development, it’s crucial to determine the location early on because it affects how you communicate with remote developers.

• Onshore app developers are in the same country as you, making communication relatively straightforward due to the proximity.
• Nearshore companies are situated in countries bordering yours or at least on the same continent, making coordination more manageable.
• Offshore app developers are located farther away, potentially posing challenges due to significant time zone differences. This issue can be addressed with well-organized communication, but it may require adjustments from both sides.

Working with onshore companies is generally more convenient. Being in the same time zone facilitates communication and even allows in-person meetings. However, local companies may be costlier, especially for startups and small businesses in regions like the US, Canada, Australia, or Western Europe, where developer salaries are high.

From a budget perspective, it often makes sense to consider mobile app development outsourcing to nearshore or offshore companies with lower average costs. Moreover, with a dedicated and experienced mobile app outsourcing company using effective remote project management practices, you may not notice the time zone difference, ensuring smooth collaboration.

So, where do you find outsourced developers?

Many newcomers to software development often start their search by typing “app development companies” into Google. However, with the evolving industry, there are now dedicated websites where freelance developers can discover job opportunities and project seekers can connect with skilled professionals.

1. Individual developers

• Upwork is one of the pioneers in this field. It offers a diverse range of specialists to meet various business needs. However, it doesn’t have strong tools for checking and aligning these specialists with what clients require. Plus, the bidding system can be tricky if you’re not tech-savvy.

• TopTal often comes as the second choice. It stands out for its vetting and matching systems, making it a more dependable option. However, it tends to be a tad pricier.

• Dribbble and Behance are social networking platforms well-loved by digital artists, making them valuable resources for anyone searching for UI/UX designers.

2. Outsourcing development agencies

• Clutch is the top choice for finding an app development outsourcing company. This platform lists more than 12,000 companies in the mobile development category, and there are 4,000 options specifically for outsourcing iPhone app development. 

This platform offers excellent sorting options based on criteria like budget, price, location, company size, and more. It also provides client ratings, reviews, and details about projects that these companies have completed.

* You can find InApps Technology on Clutch here. 

• GoodFirms is a highly trusted research and review platform that assists customers in locating the finest software solutions from the listed companies. It’s primarily used for B2B connections because it’s known as a dependable, customer-focused source with a well-organized directory.

• You can also count on search engines and Quora to create a list of possibilities, which you can refine.
• Blogs – It’s common knowledge that outsourcing companies maintain blogs to share their experience & expertise and offer development-related guidance. When you delve into a company’s blog, you can gain insight into their strengths, background, and how they can assist you.

#Step 3: Establishing early partnership leverage

Now, it’s a good idea to narrow your list to around 5 options. This way, you will only spend a little time contacting each company or developer for quotes and consultations.

Once you’ve made contact, you can inquire about additional details, such as:

• Any projects they’ve been working on that aren’t featured in their portfolio.

• Whether they can provide references.

• What educational courses or conferences have their team members attended recently?

• Their preferred means of communication.

Feel free to ask anything you couldn’t find online to ensure you can make a well-informed decision based on all available information.

🚩 Extra Tips for Outsourcing Mobile App Development:

• Stay connected: Maintain open communication with the developers and stay engaged throughout the app development process. If you’ve partnered with an app development outsourcing company, they usually assign a project manager to keep you informed. When working with a freelancer, establish precise communication methods and discuss how often you should touch base.
• Formalize the relationship: As the product owner, it’s crucial to formalize your relationship with the app developer. While companies typically provide written agreements, some freelance developers might need more time to formalize the arrangement. This hesitation should raise a warning flag, and you should proceed with caution.

How to Outsource Mobile App Development Without Risks

Before hiring someone for mobile app or web app development, you should take some essential steps to lower the chances of any problems.

First, make sure to find a good software development partner. Second, try to set up guarantees and some control over the development agency you hire from the beginning. This way, if they don’t do a good job, you can do something about it, and in the worst case, you can get your money back. 

Here are some other steps you can consider when you outsource mobile app development:

#1. Include test runs and a money-back guarantee as part of the agreement

It can take some time to ensure that you and the team you’ve outsourced work to are on the same page. This is especially important if you have yet to work together. 

One way to build trust and reduce the risk of poor-quality work is to start with a small or medium-sized task, like creating a logo or an app mockup. You can also include a money-back guarantee clause in your contract to ensure fairness. If you’re unhappy with the work, you shouldn’t have to pay for it, so include this provision in your agreement.

#2. Keep code safely on your side

Another critical step is to set up your client-side repository to have control of the code right away. This prevents the outsourced app development agency from withholding the code in case of a disagreement and ensures you only pay for high-quality code.

#3. Stay cautious with large upfront payments

Kindly offer a thorough breakdown of the expenses for the work scope, as this will simplify contract management. It’s best to be cautious about their delivery ability until you’ve worked with a vendor for six months or more. 

In case you want to protect your company from unethical specialists, you can divide the cost into smaller payments for the first few months of your collaboration.

#4. Sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

When collaborating with outsourced developers, you share sensitive company and client data. A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) helps keep this information confidential and legally safeguards your app idea from potential theft by other companies.

#5. Utilize secure payment and code features on outsourcing platforms

One significant advantage of hiring platforms like Upwork or TopTal is their secure payment services. With these platforms, you only release your payment when you’re happy with the work’s quality.

Furthermore, these platforms have rigorous vetting processes that ensure you can outsource mobile app development without worrying about hiring unskilled talent and wasting money.

How Much Does It Cost to Outsource Mobile App Development

The debate over outsourcing software development is a hot topic. Some business owners firmly believe that doing it in-house is better because they can closely manage their team. 

However, according to Exploding Topics, the global outsourcing services market reached $731 billion in 2023. Additionally, Zippia reports that 37% of typical IT tasks are outsourced, and nearly 59% of businesses prefer outsourcing because it’s more cost-effective.

Big players like Google, Slack, and Skype have successfully utilized outsourcing for years. So, what’s the biggest draw for businesses regarding outsourcing software development? It’s all about the price. Consider these numbers: When you outsource app development at a rate of $60 – $120/hour for both iOS and Android, here are the estimated costs:

• Simple app development: $20,000 –  $120,000
• Medium-complexity app development: $120,000 –  $200,000
• Complex app development: $200,000 – $300,000+

On the other hand, by opting for offshoring, companies can hire committed developers who are ready to put in the effort and meet deadlines, all at a reduced cost of up to 40%. Essentially, they can spend less while receiving more excellent value, enabling them to use their savings for other aspects of their business.

For instance, US and Western European developers charge between $60 and $200 per hour, whereas Central Europe costs around $50 per hour. In countries like Vietnam, hourly rates can go as low as $20 to $50. India and China also offer more budget-friendly rates compared to Western countries.

🚩 Notably, partnering with InApps Technology can result in significant cost savings, potentially up to 60%. This can open up new opportunities for your business to grow. We have over 7 years of experience delivering creative solutions to clients worldwide, including the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Whether you need an app for iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, or a hybrid, our experts can handle it skillfully and efficiently.

The Bottom Line

That’s it – we’ve covered the ins and outs of outsourcing mobile app development successfully in 2023 in this detailed guide. Part II has given you a simple three-step process to make outsourcing easier, helping you make intelligent decisions and avoid problems. 

As you start your journey to develop mobile apps, armed with the knowledge and advice from this guide, remember that successful outsourcing depends on careful planning, good communication, and working together. By following these principles, you can confidently lead your project to success in the fast-paced world of mobile app development.

Besides, if you’re currently looking for an app development company to help with your project, we invite you to consider InApps Technology as one of your options. You can either choose our offshore software development company service or dedicated IT staff to help you realize your apps.

Join a free 45-minute consultation with us, and we can discuss your app idea and explore ways to turn it into a successful product. We’re excited to be a part of your app development journey and help bring your ideas to life.