Things to Consider When Outsourcing eCommerce Development

Are you looking to build an eCommerce app or website?

The eCommerce industry is on the rise. It is estimated that the global retail eCommerce market size will reach 7.4 trillion dollars by 2025. Though the eCommerce industry was already growing at a good pace, the unfortunate arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic gave it a massive boost.

People have shifted more towards the online space and have become habitual of buying goods and services online. So, if you are thinking about having an eCommerce website or a mobile application for your brand, now is the time.

You have plenty of options to outsource eCommerce development. However, through this blog post, we want to make sure that the one you choose proves to be the best fit for you. So, we listed out a few points that you should consider when outsourcing eCommerce development.

Checklist When Outsourcing eCommerce Development

There are a number of things to look at when you outsource any kind of service. Make sure to pay attention to the following points-

1. Company Location

The location of the company matters a lot if you are looking to outsource the work to an offshore firm. Before you proceed with any development partner, make sure that timing is not an issue. The time gaps between different regions can cause hindrance in the project and also lead to miscommunication between the two parties. Since virtual meetings would be the only possible way to connect on a regular basis, it’s important to find a company that suits your time zone (if not exact).

2. Relevant Projects

You may come across numerous companies that are into web or app development. However, what’s important is to look for the ones that have worked on the kind of project you are looking to build, and possess experience in it. No matter how many projects a company has showcased in its portfolio, if it doesn’t have what you are looking for, you shouldn’t probably go ahead with them. Instead, find those companies that excel in eCommerce app development. Their portfolio would speak for it.

3. Keep a Check on Your Budget

The cost of eCommerce development can vary from company to company. During your search, you would come across companies that have high hourly development rates (that might exceed your budget) and you would also find companies that would offer eCommerce development services at a relatively lower cost. What we would suggest is not falling for cheap offers. It may seem tempting to get the project done at a low cost but you may have to compromise on the quality later. Also, it is always not the case that the higher the rates, the better the services. You’d find companies that may not have much experience but offer high-quality services at a reasonable cost.

4. Company’s Culture

Before you join hands with an outsourcing partner, it would be wise to get an idea of their work ethics and the company culture. Ask them how they approach a project, their mindset and ideas behind making it successful, and how they ensure on-time delivery. Also, do go through the client testimonials on their website to get a fair idea of their work approach. 

It is important to find a company that shares a similar mindset and practices a good work culture. There should be transparency in what they do so that both parties are on the same page at every step of project development. A poor work culture or approach can result in unwanted complications in the project.

5. Sign a Contract

Signing a contract or service level agreement helps ensure that everything between the two parties is mutually accepted, and nothing goes against the agreement. In the contract, make sure you have included the agreed cost, information/idea confidentiality, and other terms and conditions. The agreement works as proof in case any dispute occurs between the two parties in the future or any code of conduct is breached.

6. Are They Good Listeners?

Avoid service providers who just tell you exactly what you want to hear or just brag about how good they are. If they aren’t counter-questioning, you may have made the wrong choice. Any good offshore software development company will put up several questions in front of you before they take up the project. Apart from hearing your vision and the kind of application you are aiming for, they would tell you realistically how much time and cost it would take and whether what you want is actually possible or not. They won’t say “yes” to everything just to fill their pockets.

Summing Up

Don’t rush while outsourcing an eCommerce development partner. Take your time. Hasty decisions often don’t result in making the right choice. Outsourcing can be a challenge, especially when you have to pick a few genuine companies out of the many. It may take time but you will eventually make the right choice if you put your time and effort. Do remember to keep in mind the above-mentioned tips.