Nearshore Web App Development Outsourcing

Our Nearshore Software Web App Developer Services focus on developing cost-effective web and mobile applications that use the best delivery model to match our clients goals and timelines.

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What is Web App Development Outsourcing

When you outsource web app development, you are essentially hiring a third-party company to take on the development of your web application. This can be a great option if you don't have the in-house resources or expertise to develop the app yourself.

There are many benefits to outsourcing web app development, including cost savings, access to a larger pool of talent, and increased flexibility. However, there are also some risks to consider before outsourcing web development, such as language barriers and cultural differences.

Let's dive in:

What is a Web Application

A web application is a software program that is stored on a server and accessed via the internet. Web apps are typically interactive, dynamic, and browser-based. They can be used for everything from e-commerce to social networking to data management. Web application development is sometimes confused with web page development, which is usually connected with websites as both building websites and creating web apps share similar components.

The reason is that web app development combines web development with web application development. On another hand the typical website loads — on smartphones — differently from web-based sites. In fact, web apps are usually a lot more responsive since they’re designed to be used on devices with smaller screens.

What is a progressive web app

Progressive web apps are web applications that use modern web technologies (like .Net Core) and design principles to provide a user experience similar to that of mobile apps. They are designed to be fast, reliable, and engaging, while also being accessible on a variety of devices, including low-end smartphones.

What is a cross-functional web app:

A cross-functional app is an application that is designed to be used by people with different roles and responsibilities within an organization. It is typically more complex than a traditional web app, and may require the use of multiple technologies.

What is a native mobile app:

A native mobile app is a smartphone application that is developed specifically designed for use on mobile devices, such as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Unlike web apps, native mobile applications are installed on the device and can access its features and functions, such as the camera and GPS. Native apps are usually faster and more responsive than web apps, but they require more effort and expense to develop.

EXAMPLE: building Progressive Web Apps

We are early adopters in a tech- driven world

Progressive Web Apps allow you to get the performance of a native mobile app in a browser. A progressive web app is cost-effective solution that provides an excellent user experience and does not require development on three different platforms.

We develop progressive web applications not because they are trending, but because they leverage the power of the latest technology to take our client's businesses to the next level.

The Current State Of Outsource Web App Development

Companies of all sizes outsource some to all of their application development work. In fact, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and many other technology leaders outsource web development services work.

The web application development market is growing rapidly. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the market is expected to reach $266.9 billion by 2023. This growth is being driven by the increasing demand for web applications and the rising popularity of cloud-based services.

The trend of outsourcing web development work has been growing in recent years, as the cost of web development services has decreased and the quality of work has increased. In addition, the rise of cloud computing and web-based tools has made it easier for companies to outsource web development work to remote teams.

There are a number of reasons why companies outsource web development services like Azumo, including:

Cost savings:

Illustration of globe for technology nearshore software development outsourcing

Hiring an in-house web development team can be costly, particularly if you need to hire multiple developers with different skillsets. Outsourcing web development can help you save money on labor costs.

Access to a larger pool of talent:

When you outsource web development, you can choose from a global pool of developers with different skillsets and experience levels. This allows you to find the best possible team for your project.

Increased flexibility:

diversity matters core values for a nearshore software developer

Outsourcing web development can give you more flexibility in terms of project scope and timeline. You can also scale up or down the size of your development team as needed.

Improved quality:

When working with Azumo, you can be confident that your project will be in good hands. We hire senior developers, train continuously and focus on modern frameworks and methodologies. Our experienced developers will be able to deliver high-quality work that meets your expectations.

How Does Outsource Web Development Nearshore Work

Typically when we engage with our customers, we look to see if they are ready for outsource web app development. In most instances our customers have a deep understanding of their web project and an in house team ready to support the software development effort. They will have product owner or project manager who has developed a view on the project requirements, timeline, budget, and other relevant details.

Your project requirements will include things like the scope of the project, the features you need, and any other specific details about what you want your app to do. Once you've provided the Azumo's team with this information, we will be able to give you a more accurate estimate for the project. In some cases we may determine that it is best to flesh out your software development project as part of a Discovery process.

Start with A Good Discovery Phase

A good discovery phase moves your app idea into an actionable candidate for web development outsourcing. In the discovery process the developers will review the requirements work with you on creating actionable application specifications and build out the architecture for the app.

In this process both you and the developer will determine or agree on the technology stack, the cloud environment, and a rough estimate for the anticipated concurrent users of the application, the dependencies and databases and any integrations.

Understand the Target Audience

If the expectation is that the app will need to be accessible via mobile, you may also come to make a decision on whether you should pursue building a Progressive Web App, Cross-functional or native app too.

Good Discovery processes helps Azumo or your web app developer outsourcing partner get a better handle on the project, the application and the business needs for the app.

The End Goal

During the Discovery Phase, you will be front and center with the web app developer team. To limit cost, we believe a good Discovery Phase team should be kept small. Typically it will include a Business Analyst focused on gathering all of the requirements or reviewing the requirements already created along with a senior software engineer and Architect.

The goal is to produce a PRD or Project Requirements Document that just about any dedicated development team can use. This small team will check assumptions, organize the development plan and finalize the expected timeline.

Design with Intent

We have also found that depending on the web app development requirements there can be some to a significant amount of design effort. In this phase the Designer may build out a clickable prototype or design using a tool such as Figma for example.

After the discovery process is complete, the outsourced team will begin working on your web app. Depending on the size and complexity of your project, this process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or years to complete depending on the product roadmap.

For this reason, we recommend taking an Agile approach to software development especially when using an outsourced web development company.

Pre-development Stages

There are many phases to software development but to get off to a good start every project should have some level of pre-development phase. This is the time when you take your web project idea and turn it into reality. The first step is to develop a case for the business needs for your web application.

It's important to have a clear idea of what you want your app to achieve. What are the goals and objectives of your app? What features will it need in order to meet these goals? Once you have a good understanding of your app's purpose, you can begin to put together a requirements document that you can share with any outsourcing team. If you have not gone through this effort we recommend a Discovery Process.

The PRD

The PRD is the foundation of your web app development project. A project requirements document (PRD) is a formal document that outlines the objectives, goals, and deliverables of a project. It is used to communicate what a project is and what it will do.

The PRD should be created before any software development work on the project begins. A good PRD will help cut development costs too.

In our experience, there are several reasons for using a PRD. The PRD can help to:

Communicate the objectives of a project to all stakeholders
Define what a project will deliver
Help to scope a project and identify its limitations
Aid in the development of a project plan
Ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page

The PRD is A Must Have for Outsource Web App Development

The PRD is key component for project management and sets the baseline goals for the project roadmap. When creating the PRD or discussion the contents of the PRD it should include:

A project overview
Project objectives
Goals and deliverables
Scope and limitations
Technology requirements
Schedule and milestones (depending on the scope)
Estimated budget and resource requirements
Risks and assumptions

Clickable Prototype

A clickable prototype is a mockup of your web app that you can interact with. It allows you to click through the different screens of your app and get a feel for how it will work. This type of prototype is often used to test user flows and interactions.

Clickable Prototypes Are Great for Web Development Projects

Good frontend web developers with an eye for design can quickly implement a prototype. At Azumo, we have worked with clients in the Discovery Phase and during the front part of the development effort to build prototypes.

Visualize the app and how it will work
Get feedback from users on the app's design and usability
Identify any potential problems with the app's design
Make changes to the app's design before development begins

Proof of Concept

A proof of concept (POC) is a prototype that is used to demonstrate the feasibility of a particular idea or concept. A POC should be able to answer the question: "Can this be done?" A POC is often used to validate a new approach or technology. POCs are usually small-scale and may not be representative of the final product.

A Well Executed POC Can Reduce Web Development Cost

Typically the POC is used to test assumptions and the effort to build a POC should be limited in scope and resources relative to the build out of the broader feature, product or platform. During the Discovery phase, we will often suggest implementing a POC to make better decisions and potentially reduce web development cost

Test the feasibility of an idea or concept
Demonstrate the potential of an idea or concept to stakeholders
Get feedback on an idea or concept from stakeholders
Make changes to an idea or concept before development begins

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

After the PRD, Clickable Prototype, and POC are complete the web app development can begin on the MVP. The MVP is a version of your app with just enough features to be usable by early adopters. The MVP should have the core features that are necessary for your web app to be successful. The performance of the MVP in the Wild by active users should help direct the software development effort and reorganize app developers priorities.

Creating an MVP can help to:

Test your app with early adopters
Get feedback on your from early adopters
Identify any problems with your app before development is completed
Make changes to your app before it is released to the general public.

After the MVP is complete, the web app development team will continue working on the application until it is finished. Once the app is completed, it will be released to the public.

These phases of development can be essential to the software development process. By using these phases, you can ensure that your app is developed correctly and is successful.

Methodology Matters for Outsource Web App Development

During the development process, you will be able to track the progress of your project and provide feedback to the team. It's important to stay in close communication with the team throughout the process to ensure that your app turns out exactly the way you want it to.

There are many different methodologies that can be used during the software development process. The most common development methodology is Agile.

Agile Development

Agile is a popular. It focuses on delivering working software quickly and efficiently. In Agile, web app development is broken down into short cycles, called sprints. Each sprint is typically two weeks long. During each sprint, the web app development team works on a specific set of features. At the end of each sprint, the team delivers a working version of the web app.

The advantage of Agile is that it allows you to track the progress of your web app and make changes along the way. This can help to ensure that your app turns out the way you want it to.

We typically advise our clients to run two-week sprints, supplemented with good retrospectives and transparent poker plannings (what will go into the next sprint). A well trained project manager will also help keep the project on track and help to resolve any issues that may arise.

Waterfall Development

Waterfall is a traditional development methodology that focuses on delivering a complete software application all at once. In Waterfall, software development is divided into distinct phases: requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment. Each phase must be completed before the next one can begin.

The advantage of Waterfall is that it allows you to see the progress of your web app at each stage. This can help to ensure that your web app is being developed correctly and is on track. The challenge with Waterfall is that project management is wedded to a very deep base of assumptions including technical knowledge, market acceptance, outsourcing team and in house team availability and budget cycles.

Which Development Methodology is Right for Me?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a development approach. It depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want to track the progress of your web solution and make changes along the way, Agile might be a good choice for you. If you want to see the progress of your web project at each stage, Waterfall might be a better choice.

No matter which methodology you choose, the important thing is to stay in close communication with your web app development team and provide feedback along the way.

What Happens After My Web App Is Released?

After your web app is released, it's important to monitor its performance and make sure that it is meeting your expectations. You should also plan for web app maintenance and upgrades. These can help to keep your web app running smoothly and ensure that it is always up-to-date.

Outsourcing your web app development can be a great way to get a high-quality web app at a lower cost. By choosing an experienced and reputable outsourcing vendor, you can ensure that your project is in good hands. And by staying in close communication with the team throughout the process, you can help to ensure that your web app turns out exactly the way you want it to.

How Azumo Delivers

Benefits of Outsource web development Nearshore

At Azumo we believe there are several benefits to software development outsourcing, including:

Lower Costs:

When you outsource your web app development, you can save on labor costs. Development teams in other countries often charge less than teams in developed countries.

Access to Experienced Developers:

When you outsource your web solution development, you can tap into a pool of experienced developers. This can help to ensure that your web app is developed correctly and is of high quality.

Faster Development:

When you outsource your web app development, you can often get your web app developed faster than if you were to do it yourself. This is because experienced development teams can work more quickly and efficiently.

Better communication:

When you outsource your web app development, you can often enjoy better communication with the team. This is because you will have a dedicated project manager who can act as a liaison between you and the team.

These are just some of the benefits of using Azumo as an outsourcing web development services provider.

Expert Opinion: Pitfalls to Avoid When You Begin web development outsourcing

When done correctly, software outsourcing can be a great way to improve your business and accelerate growth. However, there are some potential pitfalls that you should be aware of before you begin the process.

1. Language Barriers

When you to a outsource web development services company, there may be language barriers between you and the team. This can make communication more difficult and can lead to misunderstandings.

At Azumo we take an English first approach to language. Our software engineers are required to pass a rigorous English language oral exam and computer based assessment as part of our hiring process.

2. Time Zone Differences

When outsourcing web app development contrasting time zone can have a real impact on development effort and outcome. Outsourcing companies from Eastern Europe and India have big time zone differences that can make it difficult to coordinate schedules and can lead to delays.

At Azumo all of our software engineers are nearshore. This means that they typically work during the same hours as our customers so there is little lost in terms of collaboration or availability,

3. Cultural Differences

When you outsource web development, the team may come from a different culture. This can make it difficult to understand each other and can lead to misunderstandings.

Ok, we are biased but we think the peoples of the Western Hemisphere share a lot in common. And many of our engineers at Azumo have family or have been educated in the United States and Canada.

4. Geographical Distance

When you outsource web development, the team may be located in another country. This can make it difficult to meet in person and can lead to communication problems.

At Azumo, we rarely advocate for in person meetings. We started the business as a 100% distributed company. But sometimes for team building it helps to get folks together. Thankfully, our team are reasonable direct flights away from most major cities in the U.S.

As you can see despite these risks, web app development outsourcing to Azumo can be a great way to get a high-quality web application.

What Should You Look for in Your Web Development Team

Not all web development companies are created equal. When you are looking for a web development company to outsource your web app development to, there are several factors you should keep in mind, including:

EXPERIENCE

Make sure the company has experience in developing the type of software app you need. At Azumo we have nearly a decade of web development experience.

PORTFOLIO

Take a look at the company's portfolio to see examples of their work. At Azumo, our web application development work for our clients is deep.

REVIEWS

Check out online reviews of the company to see what others have to say about their experience. At Azumo, we have an average rating of 4.9 stars on Clutch.

COST

Make sure you are getting a competitive price for the web app development services you need. At Azumo, we offer competitive rates for our web development services.

COMMUNICATION

Make sure the company has good communication skills and that you will be able to easily communicate with the team. At Azumo, your dedicated project manager (we call them Franchise Owners) will act as a liaison between you and the team.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure that you are choosing the right web development outsourcing company for your needs.

Tips for outsourcing web application development

We hope you choose Azumo but whichever outsourcing company you select we think these helpful tips will go a long way to getting you the outcome you desire.

Set Clear Objectives:

When outsourcing app development make sure you are clear about what you want to achieve. The more specific you can be, the better especially during the development of the PRD and at each sprint planning meeting.

Communicate frequently:

Make sure you are in communication with the team on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings. Importantly if you choose to develop using Agile make sure you have someone attend the stand-ups and demos.

Be available:

Make sure you are available to answer questions and provide feedback when needed. This is a vital requirement when outsourcing software development. The more available you are, the easier it will be for the team to work with you.

Use Best of Breed Collaboration Tools:

Create a medium of communication so that you and your outsourced developers can track communications and decisions. And importantly provide context for why decisions were made. This will help any dedicated team get more done faster.

How Much Does it cost to outsource web application development

When it comes to web development pricing, there are a three factors that impact overall cost: scope, timeline, and resources. This iron triangle allows you to take control of only two of the three components. For instance add more productive web developers to your effort may allow you to reduce the timeline and maintain scope but it will increase price.

However we think there are few things within your control beyond the outsourcing services decision that can help budget.

Choose Web Platforms Wisely

If you need a web app developed for a specific platform, such as iOS or Android, it will likely cost more than a web app that is platform-agnostic. For a web solution that needs a mobile app complement, there are a number of cross platform choices like React Native or Flutter.

Language and framework

Your programming technology choice can dramatically impact outsource software development rates and in house team salaries. Due to availability, some software languages while historically popular have lost share to other languages that have arrived recently or regained popularity. We think of the emergence of Node and React vs Ruby on Rails as examples.

When Outsourcing developers location matters

If you choose to outsource your web app development to a team the location can have an impact on cost. Onshore outsourcing will typically be the more expensive relative to offshore and nearshore.

Don't Skimp on Project Managers

While many software projects can succeed with just a strong Technical Lead (or TL), we think companies who take this approach are simply robbing Peter to pay Paul. Time the TL could be spent on development will instead be used for project management.

“Azumo broke down barriers and explained all the intricacies in a way that was easy to understand. They have been a strong software development company partner for us.”

image of azumo customer giving testimonial

Jason Trimiew

Head of Supplier Diversity, Meta (fka Facebook)