The mobile app development landscape is reaching new highs every year. In a 2009 report released by Gartner, it was found that more than 2.5 billion apps were downloaded by users across the world. These figures saw a staggering increase in the next eight years, as app downloads increased to more than 268 billion in 2017. This figure is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. This is the reason mobile apps have become such a key tool for businesses to improve their presence globally. Apps also help businesses in significantly increasing their sales numbers. So it doesn’t really come as a huge surprise that more and more businesses are looking for app development companies to help them build apps.
Types Of App Development Outsourcing
However, choosing the right company is also very important. And there are several options available for businesses to choose from as well. They can choose an app development company in their own country (onshore app development) or look for a company that is based on one of their neighbouring countries (nearshore app development). There is a third option available as well. They can also collaborate with a company that is located more than a few time zones away from them. This is called offshore outsourcing, which is the most prevalent these days. The biggest reason that companies choose to go with offshore iOS app development or Android app development is the cost-benefit it offers. We will focus on offshore app development in this post.
Cost Of Offshore App Development
The old cliché – “You get what you pay for” stands true with app development as well. However, when you hire offshore application development services or Android app development services, you can save a lot of money. We all know that mobile devices have now become an indispensable part of our lives. We can’t imagine a day without them. This is an opportunity for businesses to reach their target audience faster and in more effective ways. If you have the resources, you can build your mobile apps in-house. However, if you are a startup or a small business, outsourcing, especially offshoring is the best way to get great apps made without spending a lot of money.
The cost of app development depends on several factors, including the type of app you want to build, what features you want it to have, and how you want to build it amongst others. We can divide mobile applications into three different categories depending on their complexity. We have simple apps that have a simple design with only the basic features and functionality. Then we have apps with middle complexity. These have more features and have a more complex design. Finally, there are complex apps that have all the features and functionalities that you want in your app. The time taken for creating different types of apps is different. Simple apps take much less time so they don’t cost much. Middle complexity apps feature advanced payment options, UI, and others. These apps take more time to build and thus, cost more than simple apps. Complex apps have more features, such as in-app ads, device synchronisation, video/audio processing, and others. The development time of these apps is the highest and so is their cost of development.
In-house Vs Offshoring: Which One To Choose?
Several studies and surveys conducted over the years have revealed that most companies, especially in the developed world prefer to hire offshore iOS app development services for their projects. Having an in-house team has its own benefits. But when the cost is a major concern, in-house app development is usually not the right way to go. In addition to time, putting together an internal team also requires more money. And it is not just the salary that you need to take care of. There are other benefits as well – health insurance, training, bonus, and more. When you choose an offshore development company, you can cut down the development cost up to half of what you would spend on your internal team. This is what makes offshoring so popular in developed countries. Businesses can build quality apps without spending a fortune. Make sure you look for companies that are located in developing countries that have the expertise. There is no point in building an app if it isn’t good enough to meet your business objectives.
Conclusion
Developing an app has become one of the best ways for businesses to reach their global audience. When you outsource, you can enjoy several benefits. But the cost-effectiveness of outsourcing, especially offshoring remains the key reason for businesses looking for an app development outside their own country. It is imperatives for businesses to do their homework as the decision of choosing an offshore company can make or break their purpose of building the app.