7 Steps to Hire the Best Offshore Developers for Your Business

Up to 80% of all startups fail within the first five years because of enormous costs and failure to find the right team. That is why offshore hiring has come to be a game changer for every business looking to scale up fast. For just a fraction of what you’d have paid locally, your business secures the cream of software engineers from the global talent pool.

This article outlines several reasons businesses hire offshore developers, assesses several ways of finding the best offshore developers, and goes through concrete actions a business must take to ensure smooth hiring. Whether you need a dedicated offshore developer team or an offshore app developer, this article covers you with practical tips and expert insights.

1. Who Are Offshore Developers?

Offshore developers are professionals who work from countries other than your own. They might be software engineers or app developers in specific areas but join your team in different time zones.

Businesses expanding their growth and trying all means to sustain competition have recently found a cost-effective way through the use of offshore developers. Outsourcing simply means finding the best developers from another country rather than spending half as much as one spends trying to find someone locally. This has allowed both startups and large businesses alike to raise great teams without actually experiencing heavy overhead costs.

Some of the most prominent regions for offshore software developers include Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America. These areas come with a technological background, and experienced developers, and have managed to offer supreme solutions to businesses all over the world.

2. Why Hire Offshore Developers?

Hiring offshore developers can be a game-changer for your business. This will not only help the company save costs but will also open up a talent pool and amplify your development speed. Let’s analyze the key benefits that come with hiring offshore developers.

2.1. Cost-Effective Solutions

Among the largest reasons every business hires an offshore developer is because there is an enormous saving potential in it. According to SalaryExpert and Payscale, a business can save 40% to 70% of money spent on labor and infrastructure by hiring developers from another country compared to their domestic ones.

A project handled by the offshore app developer of developers from Eastern European and Asian countries will surely be quite cost-effective compared to any developers from the US and high-cost markets of Western Europe.

2.2. Access to a Vast Talent Pool

You will find several different, smaller resources of talent that you might not find otherwise when you contract offshore software development. Be it because the project needs AI, DevOps, or mobile development, offshore developers are capable of bringing added value to our projects.

Very highly qualified, tech-savvy talent with rich experience for technical expertise may best be found in countries such as Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and hence serves to find the right personnel that fit in with your needs.

2.3. Time Zone Advantages

Other advantages of using offshore software developers are due to the time zone differences. This would ensure that execution would mean faster turn-around times that would help in solving the problems overnight or at least making the releases sooner.

It is because of this time zone difference that companies such as Skype tend to keep their development processes running 24/7 by upgrading their product lines while their customers sleep.

2.4. Flexibility in Scaling Teams

As your project grows, it is important that you can scale your team. Offshore developers give you the flexibility to increase or decrease team sizes depending on your needs for the project. That kind of flexibility comes in handy at the nascent stages of your development.

A good example is Slack, which scaled its offshore team to build its MVP faster and more efficiently. Whether you need more developers for a short-term project or fewer developers for maintenance, the flexibility of hiring offshore development helps you meet your goals without unnecessary costs.

2.5. Focus on Core Business Functions

You will find your investment in developing further than in any case when you hire offshore developers. You can do a lot more for your key business by hiring a team of competent developers. The resources can now be used to focus on sales, marketing, and strategy. You then keep a sharp eye on key metrics such as product velocity and customer acquisition as your core business while it leaves the technical aspect to your experienced offshore developers.

3. Where to Hire Offshore Developers?

You need to pick the appropriate developers to serve your needs. An increase in offshore developers presents new opportunities for startups such as providing affordable solutions with access to high-class technical expertise. But where exactly should you look for the best team?

Below, we’ll explore key places where you can find skilled offshore developers and how to navigate these options.

3.1. Digital Publications

One of the most insightful ways to assess potential offshore developers is by reading the content they produce. Many developers and teams publish blogs, articles, or tutorials about app development, coding techniques, and the latest tech trends. Normally, such publications get shared either on their personal sites or on widespread platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, or Dev.to.

By reading their publications, one can understand their technical skill set, their coding habits, and their problem-solving approaches. Imagine they can write about some complex topic excellently; for sure, they will be able to describe and explain stuff to you in an offshore developer setup.

Moreover, from the publications, you can find any awareness about current industry trends on the latest frameworks and technologies. From the date it was posted, you will be able to tell if they are up to date or not. This is a good indication of the quality of the best offshore developers whom you are going to entrust your project with.

3.2. Review Platforms

Now it is time for due diligence when you have a list of potential offshore software developers. To get extra insight into how offshore developers work with real-world clients, head to review platforms like Clutch, GoodFirm, and Wadline.

The majority of such platforms include client ratings and detailed reviews, with examples of previous works included to help you understand whether the team will fit your particular project.

Places like Clutch are valued for an option to filter down developers by services provided, hour rate, and industries they worked with. 

Suppose you need an offshore app developer only; you may want to filter out those who are expert freelancers in mobile app development or any other niche, saying offshore Android developers. Hence, you end up browsing through teams that suit your needs and make sure with high certainty of finding what will perfectly fit your company goals.

The other important thing is that in reviews, one usually describes such vital points as communication, time of delivery, and how the team manages projects. That is to say, you get an all-round picture of the working process of this or that team.

3.3. Freelance Websites

For startups seeking more flexibility or smaller-scale projects, freelance websites can be an excellent place to find offshore developers. There are other websites such as Upwork, Guru, and Toptal, connecting businesses with thousands of freelance developers from practically any part of the world, including those countries that have specific experience in developing mobile applications, AI, or cloud computing.

In case you don’t need a development team but want to collaborate with freelance developers only, these freelance websites will enable you to find a developer by his skills, hourly rates, and experience with projects. The process of hiring freelance developers is pretty easy: one can post a job description, get proposals, and communicate with candidates directly.

However, let me point out that though freelancers are flexible and more budget-friendly compared to full-time developers, they may require closer management compared to the offshore development team.

Freelancers often work solo, which can cause ‘bottlenecks’ during the development process. You need to manage such people more closely and outline clear expectations regarding communication and deadlines.

4. Location to Find Offshore Development Team

The increasing growth of demand for outsourcing IT has positioned South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe as some of the top-offshoring destinations where you can hire developers. Each of them presents different advantages in finding the right offshore development team for your project. Let’s discuss each one.

4.1. Eastern Europe

Indeed, Eastern Europe is getting a good name when it comes to offshore software development. Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, and Romania house some of the best offshore developers with the perfect mix of budget-friendliness, technical acumen, and good communication skills.

Though not as affordable as the offshore developers from Asia, the ones in Eastern Europe offset the price with a really good reputation and quality work. These countries also host a friendly time zone that overlaps with Western Europe and the United States.

For instance, at Uptech, our core team is located in Eastern Europe, while we also have representatives in Asia and Western Europe. We can thus easily assemble for you a team that will be convenient for your time zone.

4.2. South America

Offshoring has been gaining considerable momentum in South America. Its proximity to the US turns Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico into significant players in the IT outsourcing arena. In 2020, more than 500,000 tech talent professionals were based in South America. And the number keeps growing.

Brazil and Argentina remain the most popular destinations for companies seeking offshore dedicated developers. First of all, there is a vast pool of talent in these countries. The developers speak English fluently and cover the entire range of technologies. Secondly, the IT industry in South America enjoys solid support on the part of governments, which secures a stable supply of specialists.

4.3. Asia

So far, Asia has been the favorite destination when looking for offshore app developers. Countries like India, China, and Vietnam are packed with millions of IT workers who can undertake any project. The main reason people go to developers in Asia is because of the cost they have. Yes, that’s right: an average developer in India, for instance, earns $20,000 annually, which is low compared with developers in the United States.

But if you are outsourcing developers in Asia, remember to be fully aware of potential language and cultural gaps. Sometimes some offshore developers have problems with fluent English; generally speaking, though, a large number of software developers in those countries are competent, capable, and qualified to develop qualitative apps and solutions.

5. How to Hire Offshore Developers in 7 Steps

Hiring offshore developers may be strategic for your business. You open your company up to worldwide talent, cost-effective solutions, and scalable growth. To ensure that you have the right team on board, here are 7 practical steps one needs to take while choosing the best offshore development team.

Step 1: Define Your Project Scope

Before diving into the search for offshore developers, it’s essential to clearly define your project scope. Be concrete about the deliverables, timelines, and skill requirements of your project. Having a defined scope will let you know exactly what kind of team to look out for and ensure from the first day that expectations are met.

Step 2: Research Offshore Destinations

Not all regions offer the same advantages. Research the offshore destinations that fit your project’s needs. Consider regions such as Eastern Europe, South America, and Asia. Check for skills, cost, and time zone-related factors for a good fit in match quality and communication. Every destination has its charm, combining proximity to your market, access to a wide talent pool, and cost-effectiveness.

Step 3: Choose the Right Hiring Model

While hiring offshore software developers, select the right model that suits your needs. Either go for a dedicated offshore development team if you need continuous collaboration or adopt an offshore project-based outsourcing approach. Understand the pros and cons of each model for you to choose one that will perfectly fit your business goals.

Step 4: Vetting of an Offshore Company or Freelancer

Find a good offshore software developer/company when you have a vision of your model. Such websites as Clutch, Upwork, and Toptal will help in reviewing developers’ track records, reviews, and portfolios. Look for such candidates with proven experience, possessing a high-quality track record, ensuring that they can meet your project needs and timelines.

Step 5: Set Up Communication Channels

Clear communication is critical for the success of any offshore development project. Set up communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and Asana to ensure smooth, real-time collaboration. Make sure to work in overlapping hours and plan for asynchronous updates in light of time zone differences. Strong communication keeps your project on track and aligned.

Step 6: Start with a Pilot Project

Start with a pilot project, not an immediate long-term commitment. That gives you a good chance to assess their skills concerning actual development and the teamwork about blending into your group. A no-risk way of testing the waters before a long-term commitment.

Step 7: Establish Clear Contracts

Once you’ve chosen your offshore app developer or team, establish clear, formal contracts. Make sure these contracts include deliverables, timelines, and payment terms. Include important clauses on confidentiality and protection of intellectual property to keep your business safe and all matters above board.

These steps would ensure finding offshore developers most suitable for your business needs, attaining quality work, collaboration, and a long-term partnership that supports your goals.

6. Best Practices for Managing Offshore Teams

To manage offshore developers, effective clear communication and proper organization are needed. Incorporating best practices into your team is very important to see that it works effectively while working toward a certain goal.

6.1. Regular Check-ins and Feedback Loops

Organize regular check-ins with your offshore team to ensure everything is progressing as planned. Weekly or bi-weekly meetings help you track progress, resolve issues quickly, and discuss upcoming tasks. And most importantly, make sure there’s a feedback loop in which developers can be heard about improvements in processes and workflows.

6.2. Use Project Management Tools

Project management tools like Jira or Trello for tracking milestones and progress are highly important to be certain that everyone works toward deadlines, goals, and deliverables. This single-space allows offshore developers to cooperate with your in-house team in providing real-time updates and allows seamless communication.

6.3. Encourage a Culture of Transparency and Accountability

Encourage open lines of communication between the teams to create transparency; set clear expectations and requirements so everyone would be responsible for their tasks. A transparent and accountable environment helps improve performance and build trust between you and your offshore developers.

7. Conclusion

If you need to accelerate your software development projects and cut down on some costs, then offshore developers are exactly what you need. Offshore development only needs a lot of planning in advance and effective communication.

All said and done, it is very important to understand the different positive and negative factors associated with hiring offshore developers. A good offshore team will leverage your business with its global talent pool, high-quality work, and cost-effectiveness for starting up a new product or scaling your existing one. Offshore developers can be the game-changing factor that you have been looking forward to.

The right offshore development partner is the one with the right technical ability and experience. Done rightly, it may unlock the potential of the global workforce and further take your company to the next level.

Being a startup, small business, or even a well-established big company, there will always be an offshore developer suitable for your needs. Just get in touch with us, share your goals, and let us do the rest.

8. FAQs

Should you choose an offshore outsourcing company or freelancers?

Choosing between an offshore outsourcing company and freelancers largely depends on your priorities. In case reliability and security are the prime concerns for your project, you should go for outsourcing companies.

They usually provide transparency, timely communication, and respect for deadlines. Freelancers can be very good but they cannot offer the same predictability and control. They will also provide more structure such as assessments for clients and project management for smoother collaboration.

How much does an offshore developer cost?

Prices of offshore developers depend on location, experience, and skill. Developers from countries like India and Vietnam might charge from $5.32 to $16 per hour depending on the skill level.

In general, the estimate for the cost of offshore software developers ranges from $15 to $30 per hour; of course, more senior developers or developers residing in a country where the cost of living is expensive could be more expensive.

Is offshore development in demand?

Yes, there is a huge demand for offshore development, and the growth sustains the urge of each firm to scale efficiently. With technology advancement, skilled software engineers are in demand, but due to their competence and quality work, many of them shift offshore, which is a fraction of the cost compared to US-based ones. 

Therefore, this somehow makes offshore development quite attractive for companies seeking to reduce their labor costs without compromising on technical know-how.