7 Australian Business Tips for Outsourcing Web Development


Outsourcing to an offshore web developer is the next best practical step to flesh out a tech idea, without having to tackle the steep learning curve of programming. The problem is that hiring for a technical job when you're not a technical person is very challenging. Here are seven small business tips for outsourcing web development to make sure you don't end up with a useless codebase.


Start with a prototype.

Pare your idea down to the bare minimum that will make your customers happy. Think of the most essential feature and start from there. A simple business plan would be less complicated for you and your developer.

Be succinct.

Write a simple overview. You'll be able to communicate in simple terms the results you want to achieve. You're not a tech-savvy and the developer may not be business-savvy.

Write a detailed walk-through.

Write everything that the prototype is supposed to do in simple and clear steps. This will make it easier to tackle and follow. The best way to conquer a huge project is by breaking it down into bite-sized milestones so that it wouldn't look overwhelming for you.

Create a contest.

The biggest problem with outsourcing development is you don't know if the developer could fulfill your requirements upfront and when you hire him/her, if he/she could deliver a usable codebase that can be expanded later on.

A good way to find the right developer is to start with a stand-alone project. Use your first milestone and include the applicable story and detailed walk-through. You should end up with a day's worth of work that has a start and finish. Use this in screening potential developers. Include in the instructions that whoever fulfills the initial requirements will then be invited on board for more work. Enforce a strict deadline. It doesn't have to look perfect. The aim is to find the developer that could execute your instructions very well.

Hire an offshore specialist.

If you want long-term value, it's more convenient to hire an offshore specialist. You could reduce the time for recruitment and ensure that you're paying billable hours. More importantly, it will be much easier to expand the codebase with the original developer if your business becomes successful.

Get an expert to write the technical details.

Now that you have the developer you need, it’s time to lay the proper groundwork for the whole project. This time, you need someone who can write detailed technical and functional specifications. If you don't have someone on your side who can understand the technology, work with an analyst who has a background in computer programming to write it for you.

Manage the outsourcing relationship.

You still need to work with your developer and provide guidance when needed. Remember:
  • Align outsourcing objectives with business outcomes
  • Use an issue tracking system to provide feedback
  • Address problems early on
  • Avoid making drastic changes at the last minute
  • Don't make generic requests without a detailed discussion
  • Don't tell your developer how to code when you're not tech-savvy
  • Communicate often, have regular one-on-one virtual meetings

Post a Comment

Template developed by Confluent Forms LLC; more resources at BlogXpertise