4 Key Questions Before Ordering Web Development Outsourcing Services

For everyone planning to use outsourcing, we have compiled the Outsourcing Cost Guide. This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about your expenses, calculations, savings, and gives tips on how to save more using development outsourcing.

Since more than two-thirds of all small businesses rely on their web applications to interact with customers, web development tasks should be a priority in your business plan. Whether it's branding, marketing, remarketing, a digital presence is essential, and for that, you need web development services.

One thing that many success stories of using outsourcing have taught us is that it is the best option if flexibility, scaling, and using modern technologies are what your business needs! However, the outcome of your web application, products, or website largely depends on the type of outsourcing company you choose and how you choose them.

In one of the previous articles, we discussed the importance of vetting outsourcing teams just like hiring in-house developers. To choose a development company, you need to discuss their experience, qualifications, areas of expertise, and also be sure to check their reviews. But despite all that, guarantees for chosen web development outsourcing partners in Russia or any other country are still lacking. And for that, you need to be more attentive.

While questions about price, time to market, and technology stack of your web product will inevitably arise, there are other questions that are often overlooked. But it is these questions that can determine what outcome you get from the collaboration and how well your product will fit the market. Many articles in our «Useful Information» section aim to answer such questions. Let's briefly shed light on them.

Can you explain the entire web development process to me?

You can always start with this question. It tells you not only how the company develops a web application, mobile app, website, etc., but also how efficient they are and how involved they will be in its development. You will also get an idea of the types of technologies they will use and how many web developers will be involved in the project. Their development process will certainly affect your final product, and you should be sure that this is how you want to proceed.
 

A good answer that will add points when choosing a company:

We will share a detailed web development process to inform you of the number of participants and their level, time spent on each sprint.

Before starting work, we will create graphical interface prototypes, user interaction concepts for the software product, and incorporate any adjustments from you.

During development, we are ready to show intermediate results at planned intervals or upon your request. We are also ready to transfer intermediate source code of the product, if paid for and not conflicting with the contract.

Will I get a unique development or a product based on a customized engine/design?

There is a big difference between getting a custom-built web application and getting something that is a product of settings and modifications of existing engines. Although all web development outsourcing companies promise custom development, not all deliver on their words. If you plan and «pay» for your own web solution, it's important to clarify everything upfront. After all, you don't want your website to be a copy of another website.

A good answer that will add points when choosing a company:

We work with experienced developers who «manually write code» for every element of your web application. If we promise custom web development, you can be sure that every megabyte of virtual space you own will be developed from scratch, and no ready-made solutions will be used to create it.

Do you have web development experience in my industry?

You will encounter hundreds of experienced companies offering web development outsourcing, but since it concerns your business, the experience you should look for must also be in your industry. The importance of this question rises a notch when you work in a complex industry. Knowing whether they understand and are familiar with your industry will simplify life for both you and the outsourcing company.

A good answer that will add points when choosing a company:

Yes, we have already created quite a few web products, be it applications, websites, or SaaS services for companies in your industry. We fully understand the unique requirements and challenges this industry faces and have the experience to solve them.

How will you be involved in the development of this project?

This is your product, and you need to be involved in its development process. Your web application will not turn out as you expect, let alone be successful, if you do not participate in its development. The outsourcing company you choose should ask you to be involved in the project at all stages of development, and not expect you to leave everything to chance and then be surprised at how good the product turned out. However, you also do not need to be flooded with tasks and calls to clarify every little detail. There needs to be a balance: you agree on sprint tasks, and then you only check the results and provide your feedback.

Good answer:

We aim to keep you informed of all development aspects. We expect you to share your opinions, changes, or issues you discover along the way. We will keep you updated.

Our flexible development methodology (e.g., Agile) ensures that you are always in the loop and receive constant feedback on the progress we are making on your project.

Choose wisely...

The right questions will help you choose a good development company. Let's briefly outline what to expect from a company you've entrusted with your web development:

• Ensure they use a proper web development process and it aligns with your vision of web development.
• Get a clear understanding of what they mean when they promise «unique» web development.
• Instead of companies with extensive web development experience, choose companies with experience in your industry, who have expertise from previous projects.
• Choose a company that keeps you informed, not one that keeps you out of the development process.

Now that you have read about the important questions to ask when choosing a web development company and understand what answers to expect, we are confident you will choose the right company.

ESK Solutions is a web development company that can answer all your questions and help with formalizing technical requirements for web development. In our development, we use only flexible methodologies that allow the client to constantly keep a finger on the pulse of the process.