Why startups should consider outsourcing software development

Software development is notoriously difficult to get right.

It involves a range of complex services such as building applications, software integration and data analysis, and not every business will have the capacity or capabilities to do things in-house – least of all a startup.

It’s a decision that can make or break a startup. Do you invest in resources internally to create your product, or outsource to a third party developer?

Here at 6B, we think the answer is obvious: outsourcing is always the way to go.

Startups have enough challenges to contend with – between securing funding and hiring the right people – and software development represents an unwanted headache that could otherwise be handled better by a dedicated team. It’s far more efficient, cost-effective and involves less risk to do it this way.

By outsourcing, you can focus on the unique challenges you face as a startup and establish a business that is ready to disturb the main occupiers in your market for years to come.

Let us explain why…

Leave the experts to it

Software development is a niche skill. No matter how talented your team is, they may not be best placed to carry out such a technical project. Outsourcing empowers businesses to connect with genuine specialists, irrespective of geographical location. You can work with professionals on a project-by-project basis and there’s no obligation to continue working with them once the project is complete.

Start by briefing something small, and if you achieve the results you wanted, you know you are in safe hands to brief a larger, more complex project. Working this way can bring about surprises too, as professionals will be able to look beyond the remit of the brief and spot areas for improvement with your product that you may not have previously considered.

Technology makes outsourcing viable

Outsourcing has long had negative connotations attached to it, due in part to the lack of technology to enable collaboration. The nightmare prospect of sending emails back and forth with the people you’ve hired is no longer a reality due to new technology.

Tools like Slack which enable instant messaging and video calls have streamlined the feedback process and made collaboration seamless. On top of this, platforms like Slack have APIs that startups can integrate with, making the software development process more transparent.

Cost reduction

While tight financial budgets are something every business must grapple with, startups are especially strapped for cash. This means keeping software development in-house is likely to burn a hole in already shallow pockets.

Cost effectiveness is the single biggest driver of outsourcing when it comes to startups. Instead of wasting valuable time and money to train staff and dealing with periods of downtime, businesses can hire astute developers who will help you keep to a stipulated budget and negate the need to spend money on costly recruitment drives.

Quick turnaround

In the UK, 20% of all startups fail within their first year. To be successful, your time needs to be utilised wisely. This fact, combined with looming deadlines, can mean that you need a project completed quicker than your internal team is capable of delivering.

Although software development can’t be rushed, a third party company that you outsource to can typically call on a larger team of developers to get the job done faster. Doing so may come at an additional price and eat into your cost savings from outsourcing the job, but it will ensure that deadlines aren’t missed and work is completed to a higher standard.

Leverage outsourcing early on

The decision to outsource doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment. Successful tech startups like Slack, Skype and WhatsApp all leveraged outsourcing to help them get to the lofty heights they find themselves at today. And even some of the biggest names in the game like Google still continue to outsource to this day. If it worked for them, why wouldn’t it work for your business?

Life at a startup is in a constant state of flux. As projects progress, they may require more or less hands to help. This means scaling your team up or down, with the latter potentially meaning letting someone go if everything is done in-house. Outsourcing enables scalability as the people you’ve hired will likely be working on simultaneous projects and can be reassigned if need be.\

Maximum flexibility

Employing a third party company for software development guarantees that you’ll have access to a team of developers with vast amounts of experience. They will have worked on a whole spectrum of projects, constantly refresh their skill set and they’ll be familiar with the cutting-edge technology needed to meet the demands of their clients.

In short, they won’t be fazed when the requirements of a project suddenly change. They’re prepared for this, and will be able to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate for this. Unlike in-house developers who may have worked on the same type of product for years, they have an extensive knowledge of delivering a variety of projects and offer your business maximum flexibility.

Could your startup make use of outsourcing development?

At 6B, our dedicated team of developers are passionate about creating bespoke software that resonates with your end users.

If you want to discover your competitive edge in the market, our cutting edge software development will help you create an intuitive application that doesn’t compromise on performance or security.

Talk to us about your next digital project