In 2019, only about 64 percent of all businesses have a website. If you’re part of this group, you’re one step ahead of a lot of your competitors.
That being said, it’s not enough just to have a website. You also need to make sure it’s designed well and functions in a smooth and efficient way. In order to this, it helps to work with a web developer or development team.
Some businesses have a web developer or team of developers as part of their in-house staff. Others choose to outsource to a third-party company.
There are pros and cons to both in-house and outsourced web development. Read on to learn more about them so you can decide which approach you should take for your business.
In-House Web Development
In-house web development involves hiring a web developer or team of developers to be a part of your business. They’ll be on your payroll, they’ll work directly with other members of your team, and they may or may not work in your office along with the rest of your staff.
Pros
There are a lot of benefits that come with hiring an in-house developer or development team, including the following:
Increased Involvement
When you have an in-house web developer as part of your team, they are able to have a high level of involvement within your company. They’ll be more aware of the everyday goings-on and will have a more thorough understanding of your company’s culture.
Easier Communication
It’s easier to communicate with an in-house web developer, too. They might even be right down the hall from you. Even if they occasionally work remotely, you’ll still be able to get in touch with them right away through your business’s preferred communication network.
Increased Agility
With an in-house team, turnaround times are often much faster. You’ll be able to get projects completed and changes made right away.
More Control
You also have more control over the finished product. You’ll be able to check in throughout the process and make sure things are going according to plan.
Cons
Of course, there are also some cons to taking this approach. Here are some potential downsides you may want to consider:
High Costs
It costs more money to hire an in-house developer. Not only are you paying an hourly wage or salary, but you’re also paying for benefits, insurance, and overhead costs.
Hiring Difficulties
It can be hard to find talented web developers who want to be part of just one business. These days, many developers prefer working on a freelance basis.
Lack of Innovation
When you have a developer working on the same types of projects, it’s easy for them to get in a creative rut. This, in turn, can lead to a lack of innovation and a lacklustre finished product.
Uneven Workload
Finally, the workload can be uneven. There will be times when your developer has a lot to do and times when there’s nothing at all for them to work on. This can lead to wasted money and wasted company time.
Outsourced Web Development
If you outsource web development, you’ll hire another developer or team of developers to handle all your website-related needs. You’ll pay a flat or recurring fee for their specific services, but they won’t be an employee (or group of employees) the way an in-house staff member is.
Pros
Choosing to outsource your web development needs can come with a lot of benefits to your business. Here are some of the main pros of choosing to outsource:
Save Money
It’s often cheaper to outsource web development. When you outsource, you only have to pay for the work the person or team does and don’t have to worry about other costs.
More Choice
Choosing to outsource gives you access to a larger pool of talented developers. There’s more competition, too, which can lead to better rates and better-finished products for you.
Flexibility
You have a lot of flexibility when you choose to outsource. You can arrange to work with them when you need changes made, but there’s no need to keep them on the payroll and try to find work for them to do all year round.
Increased Innovation
Outsourcing to a freelance web developer or third-party development company can result in more innovation for your business, too. These individuals are highly motivated are more likely to think of creative solutions to problems.
Cons
Outsourcing isn’t without its issues, though. The following are some cons you ought to keep in mind:
Potential Fraud Risks
When you outsource, you do run the risk of working with someone who is dishonest. It’s important to vet freelancers and development companies thoroughly to avoid being scammed.
Less Communication
It can be harder to communicate when outsourcing web development, too. Make sure you have a good communication plan in place before you decide to work with a particular individual or company.
Less Team Involvement
Since they’re not exactly a part of your team, there’s not the same level of involvement when you outsource to a freelancer or development company. This can make it harder for you to check-in and see how things are going.
Less Agility
Turnaround times may be longer when outsourcing, too. It might take more time for you and the developer to reach an agreement about changes that need to be made, which can slow down the process.
In-House vs. Outsourced: Which is Right for You?
There are definitely pros and cons to both in-house web development and outsourced web development. At the end of the day, each business has to evaluate these pros and cons and make a decision that works best for them and their customers.
There’s no one correct approach to web development that is best for every business. The key is to make an informed choice after having all the information.
Be sure to keep these pros and cons in mind as you begin looking into hiring a web developer or outsourcing to a development team. They’ll help you decide which approach is the right one to take for your business.