Your business is deciding to develop an application; however, you must decide whether to outsource entertainment app development or build your application internally. There’s a question that corporations have pondered over and over again:
Who will create, design the app and then launch it?
It’s a topic that has sparked much debate within our field. After helping our clients through this process, we’ve aided some in building internal apps and helped other clients move from concept to launch. We’ve seen both sides and can state without hesitation the pros and cons of each approach.
With the help of industry professionals worldwide, we’ve put together a reference guide for choosing to outsource your app development to an entertainment app development company or build your own app within the company. Whether you work for large corporations or recently founded a new startup, we hope that this blog will assist you in making the best decision for your business.
Let’s get started.
Signs You Should Outsource Mobile App Development
As companies increasingly adapt to the new trends in mobile-first and mobile-only strategies, the debate over whether to have an in-house mobile app development team instead of outsourcing the work to specialist service providers remains and it’s not without reason.
The advantages of controlling an entire project could be accompanied by negative costs varying from tens of thousands to even millions for one app.
Although having a dedicated development team can reduce financial risk, there are several advantages to outsourcing your mobile application to a specialist managed service provider (MSP).
Here are some reasons why outsourcing an app’s development staff may benefit your business.
Absence of Mobile App Development: Main Business Functions
If your business’s current functions and services do not have anything to do with mobile application development, it’s a sign that you need the necessary information base.
Mobile application development requires an in-depth understanding of various techniques and tools. Like many others, you may have an in-house team who can work on tasks other than developing applications. However, this isn’t efficient and you’ll require significant money to hire a mobile development team with the right skills and experience.
It’s best to contract out the work. The chances of failure will be meager, as you’ll engage the entertainment app development services that will help develop mobile apps.
Lacking the Required Expertise and Skills
It is the same situation as the previous one. In this scenario, it is an in-house mobile team; however, the skills required to complete the task are distinct. It is unsafe to depend on unproven capabilities or skills for specific mobile applications.
You could be left in the middle or fail if you have an example of a project that requires blockchain or cloud integration, which your staff members do not have this expertise. In this scenario, you’re faced with the expense of hiring an entirely new group of mobile developers. However, you’re not able to afford the time and patience. This could be because the training sessions will consume an extended amount of time and could cause a setback and a delay in a product’s launch timeline.
Outsourcing can be a fantastic alternative to creating new teams with the necessary expertise. It does not require educating your currently employed employees, which takes more time and money.
Licenses and Tools for the App Development Project
It is necessary to establish the infrastructure needed for your mobile app. The requirements will depend on the app. The development of mobile apps requires a variety of tools and gadgets. This is the bridge you need to traverse.
It is essential to get licenses and renew them before expiry. This is especially important in times of technological advancement, which includes the tools for mobile development that will often be replaced.
App Quality Assurance can be achieved through the sheer number of test cases and the range of devices used to test such. So, mobile development needs access to many real-world devices and operating system versions of software and services, which could cause additional costs.
These challenges can all be avoided if you outsource. The reason is that the business outsourcing will be accountable for all equipment and licenses, leaving the position to focus on your business requirements less.
In-House Team is Overloaded
If you have a skilled internal team with the expertise and knowledge required for the mobile application, they have their hands full and there’s little room to tackle new projects.
In this scenario, it is recommended that you outsource the development of your app. A lot of work will affect the effectiveness of your internal team and delivery times will be impacted.
Limited Project Timeline
Let’s think about a situation where your in-house mobile development team is racing against time to finish the project for some reason and might need more time to finish the project. If you are convinced that a larger team is the best option and need help, use an IT provider’s help. There is no time to try out recruits trying trial-and-error strategies. You need to know which direction you’re taking.
Another possibility is that there is no in-house team and you’d like to build one. However, the release date is rapidly getting closer. Hiring a new team could be costly and you may miss your deadline for a delivery timeline.
If you outsource, you’ll reduce time-consuming tasks like hiring and teaching new developers. In the end, you will be able to thoroughly create the team you have while your software development company works on your pressing task.
A New Startup or Have a Limited Budget
Outsourcing app development has become a regular practice, especially for small businesses. Most don’t have experts working on projects and when they do, salaries and taxes can be pretty costly. Discussions with your developer will ensure a specific timeframe for your project and an agreed-upon mobile app cost under your control.
If you’re running an entrepreneur-type business, outsourcing can be a massive benefit to having your team of developers. The main advantage is that you’ll also grow, incur expenses and gain project experience. Outsourcing will assist you in the development process throughout the project.
No Internal Resources to Manage the Project
Specific methodologies, tools and strategies are employed during mobile app development, depending on the project context. Based on our experience, an experienced project manager with extensive development experience is essential to a project’s success.
If you need internal resources with relevant experience or if all your PMs are overwhelmed with other projects, this is an excellent reason to outsource the development of mobile apps. Insufficient resources and mismanagement could cause an app to fail.
Can’t Dedicate Long-Term Resources on App Support
To remain relevant and competitive to stay relevant, all applications have to be kept up-to-date and maintained. After a successful launch, the development team can add additional features now and then or introduce new features.
If there’s no space for this work to be completed internally, it could be a reason to outsource a mobile app. The team you assign will be accountable for changing and updating the app and for any other issues that may arise.
Don’t Want to Bear the Production Risk
There aren’t any mobile app development projects that have no risk that aren’t. All risks and stress are passed on to the organisation you outsource your application to. Since the contract is binding, the partners of your project will carry out all the production tasks and responsibilities, including the risk.
Make sure that your selection of vendors is based on understanding the project and all possible risks. The vendor should have the courage to act. This covers you until the product’s release date if you comply with all of your legal obligations.
Reasons to Outsource Your Mobile App Development
Let’s examine the benefits of outsourcing entertainment app development. Discover seven compelling reasons to consider outsourcing your subsequent mobile application development.
Cost Efficiency
- Cost
One significant benefit of outsourcing mobile app development is cost reduction. Developing mobile apps is a wise investment since it requires competent developers, testers and designers. In addition, they need resources, assets and a good infrastructure in which the team members can work.
Outsourcing to countries with low living costs can assist companies in cutting development costs drastically. Countries like Ukraine are well known for their quality development, but at a lower price than Western countries.
- Alternative to Competitive Pricing
In case of outsourcing, companies are in a very competitive market because they can choose the most suitable price plan for their company. This ensures that you will get the greatest return on your investment without compromising the quality of your work.
Today, various websites and tools permit companies to submit bids for projects at a reasonable cost and companies can choose the projects they want to bid on if they fit within their budget.
Access to a Large Network of Expertise and Talent
- Specialised Skilled Developer
Outsourcing allows you to select skilled developers from a large global talent pool, as development agencies always have highly trained teams of developers with extensive knowledge and experience of various technologies and frameworks such as Kotlin for Android (native Android app development platform), Swift for iOS(native iOS app development) and cross-platform (Apps can run in Android and iOS platform with single code-base) options such as Flutter (Developed by Google) and React-native (Developed by Facebook). This variety of options gives you confidence that you will locate the best experts to develop your app.
- Knowledge of Technology and Tools
Outsourcing companies stay current with market trends, technologies and tools for the most effective practices, allowing them to complete more projects. They continuously invest in training and professional app development to keep their staff up-to-date with developments and the latest technology to ensure the app you choose to develop is built with modern tools and technologies.
On-time Work Delivery
- Accelerated Application Development
Outsource companies offer an entire team of experts who work all hours to complete your project without distractions like internal teams typically confront. In addition to a dedicated team, the company offers you dedicated resources and assets to help you avoid work delays.
Some companies also provide an in-house development team that operates in your time zone and assists you in reaching the developers in your time zone. This commitment to work will help speed up the development process, ensure timely work completion and help you get your app to market faster.
- Concentrated Work
With an external development team, you can delay delays due to meetings with your team members and restrictions on office hours and juggle other in-house projects since the resources are devoted to working exclusively on your project. This team of dedicated resources ensures the rapid completion of projects. It also ensures that the development process is optimised and work is delivered on time.
Flexibility and Scalability
- Customised Resources
One of the main advantages of outsourcing your project is that it allows you to select a team of developers according to your requirements. If you require a bigger team at first to begin the project and then complete significant features in a short time, then when considerable features are available and you wish to cut your staff or recruit testers to test the app after the development has been completed, outsourcing companies offer the ability to change the size of your team according to your requirements. They also let you employ a part-time or full-time developers team to help you resolve problems or maintain your application after the application’s release.
- Flexibility
It allows you to adapt to changes in your needs. The software industry is highly fluid and trends change quickly, so business requirements may also change soon. For example android introduces new versions of its OS and policies every year.
Outsourcing teams can quickly adjust to the latest requirements and changes for projects. This allows your company or application to stay up-to-date with current developments in the marketplace and stay ahead in a highly competitive world of apps.
Core Business Function Focus
- Makes Internal Resources Available
The development of apps in-house could take the focus of your team of developers away from your company’s primary tasks, meaning that your internal team cannot focus on helping attain your core business goals because of their lack of availability.
Outsourcing your project prepares your team members to contribute to achieving your business’s goals and values. This way, you can help your internal team achieve your business goals and get your mobile applications created simultaneously by outsourcing the project.
- Increased Productivity
Outsourcing your project and having you available to your staff allows your team members to focus on their primary tasks, boosting overall efficiency. Your team members can concentrate their energy and time entirely on a task that is most important to the development of your company instead of wasting time on internal project development.
Risk Prevention
- Experience in Risk Management
Mobile app development has numerous risks, including delays in the delivery of projects and technical difficulties. In addition, developing applications in-house can cause financial losses because of these dangers. Established outsourcing firms have teams adept at managing the risks connected to the development of mobile apps.
These teams are skilled in managing the risks associated with app development, like technical issues, delays in project delivery and changes to the scope of projects since the companies handle these risks often.
Quality Assurance
Making a bug-free app is vital to its success, but hiring a skilled QA expert for quality assurance can be costly for a company. Outsourcing companies employ professional QA personnel with extensive experience in testing apps.
They will ensure that your app is bug-free and provides a flawless user experience. The QA also has an excellent working knowledge of automation tools that allow businesses to complete large amounts of test cases quickly.
Leverage Resources With Knowledge Of Latest Technology
- Latest Tools and Technologies
Technology and tools: It is costly for companies to invest in the most current technology, frameworks and tools. They may have to pay to train their employees in the latest technology or it may require time to ensure they know the most recent technologies.
Outsourcing companies invest in the latest tools, technologies and frameworks to remain in the game. These tools can help your project with the most recent features, high performance and tested security.
- Trends and Innovations
Being able to count on only a few developers on your team can make your project less successful because of a lack of innovative ideas, new concepts and new perspectives. Outsourcing your project to a development team from outside will bring fresh concepts and ideas, ultimately leading to project success. Innovative perspectives and ideas will help you stay competitive in the current marketplace.
How To Outsource App Development?
Engaging with a third party is an excellent option for mobile outsourcing. But before you trust your product to a third party, remember some important points.
Here’s how to outsource your app development without losing money and making this investment profitable for your company.
Assess Your App Development Needs
Before outsourcing the development of your app, you need to analyse your project requirements thoroughly. Set out the app’s objectives, intended user, features and platforms. Understanding your needs will enable you to discover the perfect outsourcing partner for a successful partnership.
The budget for your app significantly affects its functionality and development possibilities. Consider the scope of your project, including its complexity, size and the technologies required, while considering the financial aspect at the beginning.
- If you want to outsource application development, choose professionals proficient in Swift and language skills.
- To develop Android applications, seek out people familiar with working with Kotlin (an alternative to Java), C++ and C# languages.
- Custom software is a smart option for applications that require large amounts of modification.
Search for a Trustworthy App Development Partner
Review and assess the various outsourcing companies for mobile app development. Find companies with solid portfolios, a stable reputation, positive client reviews and reliable experience in your area of expertise. Consider factors like expertise, experience, communication skills and cultural compatibility.
Inquiring proposals and conducting interviews is recommended to select a partner who is in sync with your goals for the project
Select an App Development Pricing Model
Examine your project’s requirements, budget and timeframe to determine the most appropriate pricing method. Each has its advantages and choosing the best model is essential to the success of your project and its cost-effectiveness.
In outsourcing application development, there are three common pricing models:
- Fixed-price: This model is similar to a subscription to software development, with an agreed-upon cost based on the project’s scope. It is advisable to outsource the development of mobile apps in this manner for clearly defined projects with minimal complexity, such as startup MVPs.
- Materials and time: In this pay-per-hour model, the price is based on the actual time and resources utilised and allows for flexibility to change projects, with no contract adjustments required.
- Dedicated Team members: Perfect for projects that require results or are complex. A committed development group is employed for a specific period and annual cost, irrespective of their work hours.
- Subscription-based: software development as a service (SDaaS) offers the benefits of a dedicated team with a predictable fixed price. It’s similar to paying an employee a monthly salary while receiving all the development services.
Organise Project Management
Set up a solid framework for managing projects to work effectively with your outsourcing partner. Clearly defining the roles, responsibilities and communications channels is essential. Use tools to track projects and manage tasks—regular status updates. Regularly scheduled meetings and reports on progress can help ensure transparency and help keep the project on the right track when outsourcing application development.
Be Aware of the Risks
Knowing the possible risks your interactions with outsourcing businesses might trigger is crucial. To ensure that you outsource your app development without risk, you must consider the following factors:
- Possible Communication Problems Communication issues involving language barriers, cultural incompatibilities and time zones can confuse and hinder the project’s development.
Solution: Communicate clearly about the project’s requirements. Choose an organisation that will provide transparency during cooperation. Track progress frequently and respond to any issues promptly.
- Quality Issues Outsourcing to inexperienced or low-quality developers could lead to a poorly designed application that doesn’t fulfill expectations.
Solution: Thoroughly research potential outsourcing partners and determine whether they have expertise in your field. Examine their previous work and assess whether their approach is compatible with your vision for the product and goals.
- Secure Data: Sharing confidential data with teams outside your organisation could expose your application and data to security breaches.
Solution: Install secure communications channels and sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect your app’s dataset to Outsource Mobile App Development.
Cost of Outsourcing App Development
Outsourcing app development costs depend on various factors, including the number of tools and features used, where your developer is located, the business sector, etc. The more complicated the application, the more time it takes to develop it and consequently, the more costly it will be.
UK-based freelancers and companies have higher costs than those in Asian countries. We will look further into outsourcing development and mobile application costs.
For example, the annual earnings of an entry-level smartphone developer working in the UK may be comparable higher than that of a more senior mobile designer in Ukraine. While other countries have less expensive rates, Asian countries are generally the best option for the quality-to-price ratio.
An outsourced company typically pays the developers per hour. Thus, the most efficient method to calculate the approximate costs of outsourcing mobile application development is to decide on the app’s essential features and determine the time required to implement them.
The business aspect directly affects the cost. At the 40-hour hourly rate for mobile app development, the price for an entertainment app will start at £63,770. Depending on the level of complexity, developing an entertainment app could cost between £62,000 and £112,000.
Conclusion
Outsourcing your media and entertainment app development could be the best option for many companies. It lets you access the knowledge and resources required to develop a top-quality app while making money and time. If you observe any of the indicators mentioned above, think about outsourcing the development of your mobile app.
We are Bestech, leverage our knowledge of mobile application development to develop unique, user-friendly mobile applications. Our team can assist you through the whole process, from concept to launch. Let us know the details of your subsequent development. We’ll be delighted to help!
