A bad hire can cost you more than just money. It could set your business back for months! And as it’s a risky investment, it’s crucial you play your cards well. Trusting your gut and being confident at the same time is what saves you from draining your efforts, time, and well, money when hiring.
So how do you make sure you get to check all the boxes for building a successful digital product via the latest app development software for your business? By digital products, we mean using intuitive mobile app development software to build apps and websites which are enjoyable to use and easy to navigate through. The two common options businesses and entrepreneurs consider while hiring are either approaching a freelancer or approaching a dedicated software development company.
Both the options are feasible to businesses of some size and have their own merits and demerits. Not all businesses indeed need an expensive system to handle their technology and development needs. Some entrepreneurs and small businesses may do just fine with a shoestring budget and hiring freelancers who prove to be a one-person army taking care of multiple things. This is commonly used to describe projects that are short-term and just need one special skill like- flutter development or ios development or android development for that matter.
However, for much bigger and time-sensitive projects, companies need to invest in a bigger setup which means hiring an all-rounder mobile app development company or web application development company to fulfill their digitizing needs. A company with specialized technocrats attempt to look at things holistically that involves all the ground-level work till the project is handed over to the client. Things from UX research, UI designs, testing as well as deploying the app on their respective native environments are all taken care of by software development agencies.
But long story short, when a company is looking to expand its pool of employees, it either chooses to hire freelancers or agency workers based on what will best suit its needs based on the requirement. And we hope by the end of this blog, you can make a concrete decision for your business.
On that note, let’s look at both options in greater detail.
Who is a Freelancer and How Do They Work?
Freelancing is a way to make money if one is willing to spend the time learning how to do it and master a skill. One can work as either a freelancer or can set up their own freelancing business. A freelancer is an independent contractor that completes tasks and assignments as they arise. They are hired as a temporary employee to complete a project that lasts for a certain time.
Freelancers
Advantages of Hiring Freelancer
i) Hiring freelancers for a one-time project is a great option if you need to fill a specific requirement. It’s a win-win situation when you work with a freelance web developer or a designer who has the skills, expertise, and experience required to get the job done.
ii) With the cutthroat competition, you have more opportunities to find more affordable freelancers. With the help of an online platform like Upwork and Fiverr, you will be able to find freelancers that will handle your projects within your budget constraints.
iii) Because freelancers are experts, they know how to nail the very task you are expecting them to work on. There is a possibility you can avail high-quality development service in one dedicated domain. Freelancers are self-sufficient. They take the initiative to find work and get it done on their terms.
iv) When you have a single lead person working on a project, i.e- the freelance web developer or designer, they can easily respond to new developments and adjust plans without to and fro endless communications.
Challenges of Hiring Freelancer
i) Smart businesses know that you get what you pay for. The less you pay for your freelancer, the more likely you’ll find yourself working with someone who isn’t the best.
ii) Freelancing portals often lack the infrastructure to screen developers. This means that these portals are open to any developer that can pass the threshold for “sketchy”, including inexperienced developers that are still learning to program.
iii) Freelancers who work on a project don’t always have the same sense of connection as if they work for a mobile app development company.
iv) Because freelancers work on multiple projects of various lengths and with various clients, they are likely to not give your project the undivided attention that it deserves.
What Process Does a Software Development Company Follow?
Process for Software Development
Advantages of Hiring a Software Development Agency
i) Offshore software development company specializes in IT consulting, web and mobile development, UI UX design, testing, and mobile application deployment. It’s an ideal choice for start-ups or small businesses that are on a tight budget.
ii) Software development companies select particular professionals for the work depending on the type of task, deadline, and customer’s requirements. An agile software development company that’ll do whatever it takes to get your idea on the app store and play store.
iii) With fully scalable resources, you can keep your operation agile. You don’t have to go through complex planning, but always have the right number of individuals available for your current workload. Since the agency has both technical and business skills, it can provide consistent, professional service as well as anticipate potential future needs.
iv) When a project is too big for a solo developer to handle, that’s when a professional software company can step in and help. Hiring a professional software development agency for large and complex projects can save you 10–30% of development time, reduce risks by up to 70%, and ensure quality software.
v) Software development companies specialize in creating applications for certain industries like e-commerce, real estate, social media, and even gaming. This indicates they have a varied range of experienced technocrats who come from diverse tech backgrounds like blockchain, DevOps, AI & ML to chip in with their thoughtful ideas to make your products better!
Limitations of Hiring Software Development Company
Limitations of Hiring Software Development Company
i) You may need to wait a few days before your project can be updated, and you probably will not get an immediate update.
ii) Just like most projects, it has an important time factor. If you need to communicate with your programmer, it is best done at the exact same time so you won’t misunderstand each other.
iii) The key to your company’s success with document review is to have a dedicated team of experts thoroughly going over every page for errors. You must have a team committed to staying on top of their game to meet deadlines and be the most efficient it can be.
iv) When you need an app in less than a week, outsourcing is either tricky or outright impossible. Typically, outsourcing software development takes a lot of time. Not the best option for short projects.
3 Sure Shot Benefits Of Hiring A Software Development Agency Over A Freelancer
1. Latest & Updated Technology Stack
In business, as in technology, there’s always competition. Whether or not you’re competing, you should always be at the top of your game. In order to remain competitive in the field, any software development company brings up-to-date technology and develops software using the most modern development methodologies.
Like any other industry, technology pivots quicker than any industry out there and evolves every day! So trusting a company gives you a safety net when you actually invest your time and money in the same.
2) Project Manager Assistance
Software developers don’t just deliver code, but also take care of the entire project. But to expect this from a freelancer? Not so much. It’s an agency that takes responsibility for development to design to implementation. To avoid problems, the development company holds weekly meetings, sprints, and scrums internally where people are informed about all the latest developments and the future course of action for your digital success.
Project managers are responsible for making sure deadlines are met, working with clients directly, and organizing the team. Plus, they need to keep the project on track, even when things get stressful. This kind of streamlined process you can only expect from a professional company.
For instance, at Quokka Labs, our team of professional project managers keeps everyone on the same page and in sync so both parties can move quickly and nimbly together.
3) Customizable Pricing Model
The right agency will offer personalized pricing based on your requirements and offer guidance along the way — often you can speak directly with a project manager before signing on.
It’s no secret that the software development industry is growing. There are new projects starting up every day, and new ways to build them. And so, companies looking to create their own app like to evaluate their options and make sure they choose the right pricing model.
For this a lot of companies offer their clients a pricing model which is broadly categorized into 3 sub-categories, namely- Pay-as-go, hiring a dedicated team, and charging on an hourly basis! This enables national as well as international clients to choose the option that works with them the best without any hassle!
We Hope You Make A Wise Choice!
Finding a reliable software development agency is not easy. A single error from them can wipe your company from existence. So, how do you find a good partner? First of all, only a small percentage of the companies that offer software development constitute good partners for you. By doing a simple internet search, you can have a lot of information at your disposal, but it will be difficult to filter the companies that do not meet your criteria.
To make a good choice, you should look at their level of expertise in the industry, familiarity with the latest technology stack, and portfolio! The good news is, Quokka Labs can prove to be your one-stop solution for all of that!
At Quokka Labs, you get access to an experienced software development agency and a work plan tailored to your requirements. So you can complete projects easily, quickly, and cost-effectively. You receive 24X7 responses on development activities and can even perform reviews and approval of deliverables, helping to speed up the entire process.