How To Pick The Best Software Outsourcing Partner For You In 12 Steps

It’s no secret that software development outsourcing has taken the world by storm and is anticipated to expand by 70% by 2023. However, picking the best software outsourcing partner is not a simple affair.

Employing the best people to create software for your company may seem simple enough at first, but you will soon discover that you have a wide range of potential partners spread out over the world. The market is rife with false advertising, including what (at first glance) seems to be cheap software development, testing, and maintenance services.

It’s not about finding the quickest or cheapest solutions while looking for a partnership. You need a software outsourcing partner with the coding vision and technical know-how to seamlessly sync with your present and long-term objectives.

It is obvious that working with a team of software outsourcing experts who are knowledgeable about your company is essential. How, though, do you track out the ideal software development partner for your company?

Your Guide to Find the Perfect Software Outsourcing Partner

To find your perfect software outsourcing partner, you’ll need to set your project goals, list the resources it requires,

1. Decide Why You Want to Outsource

Ask yourself first why you want to outsource. There might be many reasons to outsource – you might be doing it only to reduce costs, but this really isn’t a good reason. Don’t just look at vendors based on price alone. Outsourcing allows businesses to utilize modern technologies, streamline processes, and scale down expansion risks.

2. List Down the Resources You Need

Usually, software development outsourcing takes place remotely, so your vendor must have a technological profile that matches yours. Therefore, you should make a list of the resources you’ll need for your project. In your search for an outsourcing partner, ask yourself, “What do I need?”. In this way, you are able to tell your outsourcing partner precisely what you are looking for when you begin outsourcing.

3. View the Firm’s Portfolio & Testimonials

Make your preliminary list of potential partners, then go through the company’s website, its prior experience, and, most essentially, the client testimonials, as those say a lot. They might assist you in narrowing down your alternatives to a shortlist. View the company’s portfolio/case studies and recommendations. There are dozens of metrics to consider, but a company’s track record should be prioritized.

Also, see if the company you are employing has a high rate of return customers. It’ll demonstrate their dependability and commitment to keeping their word, which is why clients keep returning with new projects.

4. Research their Services & Methodologies

Outsourcing services for software development serve as a kind of catch-all! Outsourcing comes in many forms, and the more adaptable the business is in offering them, the better. Aside from outsourcing software development, see if you can hire remote teams, particular developers, or other services.

Check their tools, technologies, and working methodologies to see if they align with your own. See the tools they employ for client communication.

5. Learn About Their Objectives & Goals

Although it may seem unimportant, it’s necessary to consider your potential outsourcing partner’s objectives and values if you want to outsource software development successfully. You can find out if you share the same goals. You’ll have an advantage in negotiations if you comprehend their perspective. You’ll want to make sure that the company’s work ethic is compatible with yours if there are cultural differences between you and the company.

6. Probe Into the Company’s Workforce

The use of social media is effective. Make good use of it by checking (discreetly!) how higher management presents themselves online. If you want to know what kind of software project outsourcing agents you’ll be dealing with when outsourcing custom software development, take a quick glance at their profiles on social media platforms like Linkedin.

7. Investigate the Company’s Record

Find out more about the prior projects of your potential software project outsourcing companies—this one should go without saying. Hunting for reviews on reputable websites, like clutch.co, is the simplest method to achieve this. This is the quickest approach to discovering whether your offshore partner has the necessary experience to provide the scale of software outsourcing services that your company requires. You can carry out this without getting in touch with a potential software outsourcing company.

8. Inquire About the Company

Reach out and talk about the company’s values and working practices if you have a mutual connection with someone they have worked with previously. You can also ask for suggestions from your friends, previous customers, and business associates who have already worked with software development outsourcing companies.

9. Ask for a Structured Plan

Requesting a detailed plan for how your project will be envisioned, approved, and completed is another way to evaluate a software development outsourcing partner. This needs to be a very transparent, step-by-step process. A corporation is much less likely to be “all talk and empty promises” if it gives you a structured process with important milestones.

10. Request Them for References

Positive word-of-mouth advertising is the best marketing there is, as every professional software outsourcing company knows. Request the business for references if the very first chat goes nicely (2 or 3 would be enough). Ask them for references and have direct conversations with the clients who have been doing business with the company the longest. You can get first-hand feedback regarding whether it’s worthwhile to outsource your web application development to them by speaking with their clients.

11. Look for Recent, Pertinent Expertise Proof

Experience in the industry is crucial and can greatly enhance the integration process. A service provider has a distinct edge over other partners if they comprehend your project’s requirements and complexity. Find more about the company’s domain competence by speaking with them directly. Further, obtain a list of pertinent businesses they have previously worked with and contact them.

12. Don’t Fall for a Cheap One

Lastly, you should avoid choosing vendors who tout their prices to be the lowest in the market. It is very possible that the project will remain incomplete or fail if you hire people who require far below the average salary. Most developers on freelancing websites do a side job and merely want to earn a fast buck, so hiring them is also not a smart move. Therefore, don’t be afraid to invest in what your project is worth.

Finally, Pick the Best Fit

After completing each step, select a partner for your outsourced development. What you choose is entirely up to you! It’s pretty challenging to offer advice on how to pick a partner in the best possible way. But if there’s one thing we can say, it’s to plan ahead and thoroughly research everything yourself!

Closing Thoughts

Making an idea a reality takes much time and effort, which is why outsourcing partners exist. Outsourcing software development isn’t easy. Besides being cost-effective, it is quite challenging. A person trying to save time and money by outsourcing may end up throwing away plenty of both if he gets it wrong. Thus, keep in mind that size and cost aren’t everything.

There’s no doubt that finding an ideal software outsourcing partner is not easy-breezy, but it’s never impossible either!

Outsource your software projects with us. Whether you’re looking for a development team or technical insights, we’re happy to help you build an innovative project from an idea.