Embarking on the journey of web development involves multiple intricate steps. It requires assembling a proficient team (comprising developers, designers, QA engineers, project managers, among others), procuring requisite tools and equipment, and establishing effective workflows – all of which demand significant time and financial investment.
Each project varies in its length, scope, and requirements. Often, an organization’s internal development team may lack the necessary skills or resources to introduce new functionalities or evaluate existing ones. In such scenarios, external assistance becomes a vital lifeline.
But where can a company seek this assistance? The most common options are freelancers and dedicated teams. This article will juxtapose these two models and illustrate why hiring dedicated developers is usually more advantageous for businesses.
Let’s first examine the typical scenarios when each model is favored.
When Each Model Is Generally Employed
Freelancers
A freelancer is an independent professional offering services across diverse sectors, with web development being a popular domain.
Freelancers are optimal under these circumstances:
- The project has a short duration
- The budget is predetermined and generally limited
- The requirements are well-defined and unlikely to changed
- The final deadline is certain
- Quality is not a primary concern
Dedicated Teams
A dedicated team comprises professionals employed full-time by a web development firm. When a business or an individual entrepreneur requires resources for their project, the dedicated team’s project manager allocates specialists with the appropriate skills to focus solely on that project.
Employ dedicated developers when:
- The project is extensive or multiple projects need completion
- The requirements are fluid and may evolve over the project’s course
- The precise deadline is uncertain
- Quality is of utmost importance
- There aren’t strict budget constraints
Although some companies opt for freelancers due to their lower cost, dedicated development teams are the future. Here are the primary reasons why you should engage a dedicated team for your next app or website.
The Main Reason to Hire a Dedicated Development Team
#1: All-Inclusive Expertise at One Location
Nowadays, most projects necessitate expert knowledge in numerous technologies. For instance, a typical web application or website requires both back-end (SQL, PHP, Java, C#, etc.) and front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) developers.
Freelancers are mostly niche-focused, concentrating on a single technology or one aspect such as user interface. Searching for the right kind of web development professional can be a lengthy and complex process that could extend over weeks or even months.
In contrast, an outsourcing company employs developers proficient in various technologies and experienced enough to tackle any programming hurdles. The company’s HR department has rigorously assessed the developers’ professional skills and is aware of their competence level (junior, mid-level, or senior). Hence, you don’t need to spend your time scanning through countless resumes.
A dedicated team might also comprise experts in other crucial domains such as marketing, search engine optimization, design, or user experience — all under one roof. This enhances communication and boosts the efficiency of work processes. No freelancer can match the expertise and organization offered by a dedicated team.
#2: Accountability
A significant drawback of engaging freelancers is the potential risk to sensitive business data. A freelancer could unexpectedly vanish mid-project, leaving you uncertain about the security of your proprietary information.
Furthermore, if you employ multiple freelancers for a single project, there’s a higher risk of your project specifications falling into the wrong hands. If your data gets compromised, you might not even be aware or able to pinpoint the offender.
On the contrary, when you hire dedicated developers as a team, you’re dealing with a single entity. You will sign a formal agreement that legally obliges the service provider to safeguard your confidential data. A large, reputable company won’t disappear overnight. It has a legitimate business address and can be held accountable.
#3: Reputation
Freelancers typically aren’t invested in the success of your company or project. Once the contract ends, they move on, leaving companies or entrepreneurs to restart a complicated hiring process.
Conversely, a dedicated team’s project manager can swiftly find a suitable replacement for any developer who leaves unexpectedly. This is because a large organization values its reputation and is more committed to long-term partnerships and positive feedback.
#4: Utmost Dedication
The term ‘dedicated’ implies that the team will devote fully to your project, meeting all your needs and requests. They won’t be distracted by other tasks, ensuring stability and high-quality outcomes.
Freelancers have the flexibility to work on several projects simultaneously. More clients mean more income. Your app or website will be one among many, and quality may inevitably decline.
#5: Clear Communication via Various Channels
Communication is a vital aspect of the web development process. The supplier and client must have a clear understanding to avoid unexpected results at the end of the project.
Indeed, in today’s world, people across the globe can effortlessly communicate via numerous channels like Skype, Slack, Telegram, email, etc.
However, there’s no assurance that a freelancer will always be accessible to answer your queries or update you on your project’s progress. This is especially true if you’re working with freelancers from different time zones. Synchronizing them all could be a daunting task.
A dedicated development team has a project manager overseeing the entire communication process. You can contact the PM anytime to know who is working on which feature or whether a bug has been fixed.
#6: Post-Launch Support
Every product requires support and maintenance post-launch (adding new features, updating existing ones, ensuring smooth operation). You can sign an agreement with the outsourcing company at the start of your collaboration to handle these services, saving you future hassles.
Freelancers can also offer app support post-launch. However, a freelancer might abruptly terminate the contract, jeopardizing your project. Besides, they may only cover part of the functionality due to resource limitations. Hiring dedicated developers ensures comprehensive coverage.
#7: Access to Genuine Software and Hardware in Adequate Quantities
To deliver enterprise-grade software, web developers need access to the latest versions of development tools like IDEs or graphic editors. These require investments that are typically affordable only by large companies. When you hire a dedicated development team, you benefit from cutting-edge licensed software and hardware, ensuring your project adheres to top industry standards.
Freelancers possess basic tools to handle essential tasks. However, you can’t be sure if these apps are genuine or regularly updated. Also, freelancers might lack the resources needed for enterprise-level testing of your product.
#8: Effortlessly Upsize or Downsize Your Team
Projects tend to be dynamic, evolving entities. There may come a time when you choose to halt your project due to financial constraints. Alternatively, you might need to grow it to accommodate an expanding customer base. The ability to scale is a prime advantage of the dedicated development team model.
Simply notify the Project Manager if you need to decrease your developer count or bring on additional talent. If a particular developer’s performance isn’t meeting expectations, you can request their removal. Rest easy knowing that the outsourcing web development company will promptly find a replacement. They value their reputation and long-term relationships.
The burden of the hiring process lies with the company, not you. In contrast, when a freelancer departs, it’s the client’s job to seek a replacement. Even after finding a new developer, they must familiarize themselves with the project specifics, consuming valuable time and slowing progress.
Engaging dedicated developers is straightforward when team members depart. Those previously involved in the project can easily step back into their roles. Their existing knowledge of the technologies and workflows ensures the project can resume swiftly and seamlessly.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, opting for dedicated developers, particularly those specialized in offshore web application development, offers numerous advantages over hiring freelancers for your web development needs. A dedicated team ensures robust data protection, reputability, undivided attention to your project, clear and consistent communication, comprehensive post-launch support, access to top-notch software and hardware, and the flexibility to scale your team as per project requirements.
Moreover, dedicated development teams are committed to maintaining long-term relationships, providing seamless project continuity even in the face of unexpected departures.
Therefore, investing in a dedicated development team is a strategic move that guarantees the delivery of high-quality, enterprise-grade software.