As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, businesses are finding it increasingly challenging to find the right candidates to fill their technical positions. With an ever-growing demand for skilled developers and limited resources available, companies are struggling to hire and retain top talent. One solution that many businesses are turning to is hiring offshore developers.
Offshoring has become a popular option for businesses looking to save money on labor costs and access a larger pool of skilled workers. However, hiring offshore developers can be a tricky process, and if not done correctly, it can end up costing more than it saves. To perfectly prep you for the hiring process, we have put together this article, in which we will explore the reasons why you should consider hiring offshore developers and how to do it properly without wasting money. We will also discuss a few challenges that you may be confronted with when working with offshore developers. If you want to establish a fruitful partnership, it is important to have those in mind as well.
Why You Should Hire Offshore Developers
There are numerous reasons why you should consider this option. Here are some of the key reasons why offshoring can be beneficial for your business.
1. Cost Savings
One of the primary reasons why companies choose to hire offshore developers is to save money. In many cases offshore developers can provide the same quality of work to a significantly lower price than their onshore counterparts. This is because the cost of living and wages in many countries are much lower than in, for example, the United States. By hiring offshore developers, companies can take advantage of these lower wages and save money on labor costs. This can be particularly beneficial for startups and small businesses that have limited budgets.
Offshoring can also help you cut down on additional overhead costs, such as office space and equipment. These costs can quickly add up and make it more expensive to hire onshore developers. As many offshore developers typically work remotely and provide their own equipment, companies don’t have to provide office space or equipment which reduces their overhead costs.
Finally, some countries offer tax incentives to companies that hire offshore developers. For example, the Indian government provides tax incentives to companies that hire developers in certain states, which helps companies save money on their tax bill and make it more affordable to hire offshore developers.
2. Access to a Larger Pool of Talent
Access to a larger pool of talent is a significant advantage of offshoring. When a company is limited to hiring developers in their local area, they may find that there is a shortage of skilled workers or a limited pool of talent to choose from. Offshoring can give you access to highly qualified workers with expertise in niche areas from all around the world. For example, if you need developers with experience in blockchain technology, you may find it easier to hire offshore developers from countries like Ukraine or Estonia. India’s developers on the other hand are well-versed in a variety of programming languages and technologies.
3. Increased Productivity
With an offshore team, companies can leverage time zone differences and work around the clock to ensure that projects are completed faster and more efficiently. This can be particularly useful if you need to complete projects quickly or have tight deadlines.
4. Flexibility
Last but not least, offshore developers provide companies with the flexibility to quickly scale their teams up or down as needed. This has proven to be useful for startups and small businesses that may not have the resources to hire a large team of developers. If you have a short-term project that requires additional development resources, you can hire offshore developers to help complete the project. Once the project is finished, you can scale down the team and only pay for the resources you need.
How to Hire Offshore Developers Effectively Without Wasting Money
Despite the many advantages, hiring offshore developers can sometimes be challenging and for some businesses it has turned out to be rather harmful than rewarding. To ensure that you are hiring the right team for your needs, there are several key steps you should follow.
1. Define Your Project Requirements
Before you start looking for offshore developers, it is essential to define your project requirements. This includes outlining the scope of the project, the required skill sets, the project timeline, and the budget. By having a clear understanding of your project requirements, you can ensure that you are hiring developers who have the necessary skills and experience to deliver a quality product.
2. Choose the Right Offshore Development Partner
The right offshore development partner is the key to the success of your project. So, when researching potential offshore development partners, it is crucial to look for companies with proven track records of delivering high-quality work. You should also consider factors such as location, communication, and cultural compatibility. A partner who is committed to open communication throughout the project is just as important as extended experience in the industry. Finally, choose a partner that provides the necessary infrastructure and resources to support your project.
Among the most popular and proven places to look for a good offshore development partner are freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Guru, social media platforms like LinkedIn, or offshore development companies which specialize in providing offshore development services to businesses. A good option may also be to ask colleagues, friends, or other businesses for referrals, as they usually only recommend someone who has delivered a good service before.
Bright Development also offers a management service for offshore developers. We maintain strong ties with highly skilled developers in Asia who can help you take your business to the next level. Book a free consultation with us to find out more.
3. Conduct Thorough Interviews
Once you have identified potential offshore partners, you should take the time to conduct thorough interviews with each candidate to ensure that you are hiring the right one. Schedule video interviews to assess communication skills, technical knowledge, availability, and cultural fit. It is also a good idea to ask for references and check their work history to make sure that they have the necessary experience and skills to complete the project.
4. Develop a Detailed Contract
Now that you have identified the right offshore development candidate, it is important to develop a detailed contract that outlines the scope of work, project timeline, payment terms, and intellectual property ownership. This way you can be sure that both parties are on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings down the road.
5. Establish Clear Communication Channels
Effective communication is essential when working with offshore developers who live on the other side of the planet. Set up regular video conferences, chat groups, and project management tools in order to have everyone on the same page. Also, establish a clear escalation process in case of issues or concerns.
6. Monitor Progress and Provide Feedback
Regularly monitor the progress and quality and provide feedback throughout the project to ensure that it meets your requirements. Try to set milestones and provide clear instructions, feedback, and suggestions for improvement. By providing feedback, you can avoid delays and ensure that the project stays on track. Also, establish a place for reviewing and approving the work.
7. Keep Your Offshore Team Motivated
It can be challenging to keep the spirits up and motivated when the physical distance makes it difficult to create personal links. But, despite all the difficulties, keeping your offshore team motivated is essential to the success of your project. Try to provide regular feedback and recognition for a job well done. Organizing team-building activities and rewarding successful completion of project milestones may also help to increase motivation.
Potential Challenges of Offshore Development
You are probably all excited now to get started on the hiring process and we hate to be the spoilsport, but despite all the benefits of hiring offshore developers, there are also potential challenges that you should be aware of. We don’t want you to be in for a nasty surprise…
1. Communication Challenges
Due to the differences in time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences, it is possible that communication challenges arise when working with offshore developers. To prevent any misunderstandings and avoid jeopardizing the successful completion of a project, you need to establish effective communication channels and processes.
2. Quality Control
When working with offshore developers it can be more challenging to ensure that the work is completed to the same level of quality as onshore. Therefore, it may be necessary to invest more time in quality control and provide additional guidance, feedback, and oversight to make sure that the work meets your expectations.
3. Security Risks
Data security is an important issue in today’s world. Offshore development can pose security risks to companies, particularly if sensitive information or data is involved. Hence, it is crucial for companies to establish clear security protocols and safeguards to guarantee that all data and intellectual property are protected.
4. Legal and Regulatory Issues
Different countries may have different laws and regulations governing offshore development. So, you need to make sure that you are in compliance with these regulations and that your contracts with offshore developers are legally binding.
In Conclusion:
Hiring offshore developers can be a cost-effective and efficient way to access a larger pool of skilled workers. However, it’s important to approach the hiring process carefully to ensure that you are hiring the right candidates and getting the most value for your money. If you’re interested in offshore development, but you are concerned about managing an offshore team or you simply want to skip the hiring process, Bright Development offers a management service for web developers. We have established strong relationships with several vendors in Asia who are all excellent developers experienced in delivering a high-quality product. Our senior, US-based developers manage the team to ensure that your project is completed successfully. Depending on the contract size, rates can get as low as $40/hour for complex application development. Contact us today for more information.
