4 Keys To Success In Offshore Development

The impact that the World Wide Web has had on humanity as a whole is undeniable. Before, only a certain set of people had access to the Internet and all that it offers. Today, that has completely changed in that it’s more affordable and easier than ever before to access the Internet. From your local Starbucks, McDonalds and even your local deli down the street, you can access the Internet for free. Easier access to the Internet and the cost of smartphones being dramatically decreased, almost everyone has the ability to access the Internet. The amount of people that search online for products or services is only increasing by the minute with no slowdown in sight. Before, people used to pick up the Yellow Pages or a newspaper for information but today they just take out their phone or search on a computer for exactly what they are looking for. Therefore, the importance of having a presence online has also increased significantly but rather it’s become a necessity for any type of business that exists. Unfortunately, many companies or small businesses don’t have the budget to spend a whole lot when it comes to developing a website and are looking for more affordable options. This is why so many people as well as organizations are looking into the offshore web development business model. Offshore web development means you get a website or software application developed offshore in a country such as India, Ukraine, the Philippines and so on. The cost of labor is far lower as well as you can save time, save on HR costs, recruiting costs and so when by working with an offshore partner. Below, we will discuss the reasons why the offshore web option has become so popular along with the keys to success or what you need to keep in mind when it comes to offshore web development in India or anywhere in the world for that matter:

✓ Choose An Experienced Partner – Similar to any type of big or small decision, this is something that really needs to be looked at carefully. Experience is absolutely essential in any type of business line you are working in. The more experience your vendor/partner has, the better it will be for both you as a customer as well as the company you choose to work with. For example, if a company has completed 500 projects versus 100 projects, the obstacles, challenges and experience they have gained as a direct result of completing so many projects is invaluable. So, before choosing an offshore company to work with, check to see how much experience they actually have. This is by far one of the most important deciding criteria that will really make or break your project. An experienced offshore provider will be able to advise you on the do’s and don’ts of your web development or any type of software development project for that matter. Also, if there is a better way to do things based upon the experience they have gained over time, they will be able to advise you on that. Like anything in life, experience matters especially when it comes to software development, big or small.

✓ Actions Speak Louder Than Words – The way this applies is quite simple in that check to see the type of portfolio the company you are thinking about working with. For example, if want to develop an Ecommerce Magento website, check to see how many other Magento websites they have created to get a good sense of their design and development capabilities. The more vast of a portfolio the company has, the better they will be to work with in that you won’t need to spoon feed or be nervous about working with them since they have already done so many projects like this in the past. A robust portfolio will really give you confidence in the company you are thinking about working with. Lastly, check to see if the web development company in India or any other country for that matter you are thinking about working with has references you can speak to. After they show you the portfolio of work, speak to these client references as it will give you a very good sense of how capable or incapable a company is. Ask the clients you speak to questions such as the quality of the work, timely delivery and customer service as these are all important factors when evaluating an offshore web development partner to work with. If you speak to clients that are happy or perhaps not, it will help you guide your decision and give you more confidence which is absolutely essential in development of any kind. Happy customers telling you how good a company is will be much better than the company themselves telling you.

✓ Technical Expertise & Project Management – So, you have checked the portfolio, it looks good and you have also even spoken to references who all say great things, now what? Before you sign on the dotted line, you need to ensure that the offshore web development company you are looking to work with can really handle and understands the work that you need done. Besides the sales person you are speaking to, ensure that you speak to the technical leads and the project manager that will be handling your account on a daily basis. You need to gauge and understand the capabilities and experience of the technical team as this is absolutely essential within the software development life cycle of a project. Check to see if they will be able to deliver what you are looking for as this will be the difference between the success and failure for your project. In addition, speak to the project manager to get a good understanding of the project management methods and the way they will keep you updated on what’s happening. For example, a good web development company in India will have a set of project management tools such as JIRA, Trello, BaseCamp and countless others that will allow you to keep an eye on the progress of your project. If you have a preferred method that you would like, share that with them so that you feel more comfortable. The more transparent your communication and understanding is with the technical team and the project management team, the better off all parties will be. Lastly, check to see how the will be available when you need to chat with them such as through Skype, Gtalk, Email, Phone and so on. Leave nothing to chance and have everything clearly spelled out so that all parties know what needs to be done and how it needs to get done.

✓ Clear Documentation & Needs – This all comes down to a client at the end of the day. You can work with the best offshore web development company in the world but if a client doesn’t know what they want or isn’t clear on their needs, there is going to be a huge problem. One of the biggest reason a project is a success or failure in our experience is the documentation being clearly laid out and the needs of the client are understood. Firstly from a client perspective, try to keep everything in writing and documented and clearly laid out in terms of what you are looking for. The clearer your directions and needs are, the less mistakes will happen. Once you have all your needs clearly laid out for a company, ask them and test to see if they really understand what you are looking for. Once they understand, get clear deadlines and timelines in place that lay out all the milestones and deliverables so all people involved know exactly what they need to deliver and when. The more clear your needs and documentation are, the more smooth your project will run. Lastly, make sure everything is clearly laid out in a contract from milestones to deliverables including warranties so they are no surprises for anyone involved. Before signing on the dotted line, the more clear things are laid out, this will allow you to have a healthy and long-lasting relationship.

Summary
Working with an offshore web partner can be a very lucrative opportunity if you can find the right company to work with. The more careful you are and the more research you do before making a decision, the better off you will be. Take your time and go through all the necessary steps/due diligence to ensure everything runs smoothly. You can really save a lot of time, money, HR expenses and much more by working with an offshore web development partner in India or any other development-centric company. Don’t always go for the cheapest option as this will cost you more in the long run. Choose a partner that is competitively priced but also still can deliver what you are looking for. If you are looking for a reliable, trusted and experience web development company in India, please feel free to reach out to the team at Mind Digital for any of your web development or digital marketing needs you have.