December 07, 2017

Should I hire outsource or in-house for my next software developer?

Both have their benefits, and detractions, so it’s necessary to fully evaluate each option and what it could mean for your business before hiring.

In-house

The pros for in-house start at the beginning of the hiring process. First, when interviewing for a local office position, you meet the candidates in-person. It’s easier to get a feel for their personality, as well as evaluate their experience and communication style. Additionally, being in-person allows you to notice subtle body language that can illuminate more about them.

Working together in-house can also make for smoother communication and collaboration for projects; asking a question is as easy as popping into the office next door. Brainstorming meetings are more natural, with you, your team, and a white board, instead of trying to explain ideas over a call verbally. In-person interactions also tend to build trust more quickly, as humans put more stock in face-to-face moments.

However, that more natural connection comes with a price. One of the immediate cons of an in-house developer is a high salary, in addition to benefits packages. The average cost of a mid-level developer is $60,000 a year, just in salary. That’s not including health insurance, equipment costs, and office space. For a small business that can be a crushing number, especially if you’re in the market for a website instead of needing a full-time developer for years’ worth of projects. Then add on the cost of office space and equipment, and it can easily become impossible for some businesses.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is an affordable alternative for startups or small businesses that don’t have much capital yet. Especially if you’re a business that’s not a development service provider, it can be difficult to justify the cost of a full-time in-house developer for your projects. As a service provider, though, you often have project bids that happen suddenly, when you don’t have time to recruit an in-house employee. Do you have to lose the project? Working with a remote or outsourced developer can give you the flexibility to quickly adapt to new work opportunities, so you don’t have to pass on anything.

One possible issue with outsourcing is communication problems. Whether this is someone who doesn’t explain themselves well in text, or someone with less than stellar English skills, the result is the same – loss of productivity and a steep increase in frustration. Thorough interview processes can fix this, and the best staffing firms handle all interviews for you to guarantee quality communication. Security is another crucial concern for outsourcing. Keeping code secure is vital, and without proper care, code can become corrupted, stolen, or lost. While there are some simple steps you can take to protect your code, things can still happen if you are not careful. Be sure you’re working with a reputable developer or staffing company that handle added layers of protection for you.

The cons of working with outsourced developers luckily can be easily overcome with the right help. Instead of trudging alone through countless forums, platforms, and resumes, work with a tried and true service provider. Choosing to use a staffing service offers you extra protection for your business and data, while also making the recruitment and management of a remote developer easier for you.

Whichever you choose, be sure to thoroughly vet your candidates and ensure that you’re finding the right person for your team.

Interested in the cost savings of working with an outsource developer? Check out our free cost comparison tool!