In recent years, outsourcing IT services has become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. Why? Because it strikes the perfect balance — giving you access to top-tier technologies, greater flexibility, and significant cost savings without the added overhead. That said, let’s be honest — outsourcing isn’t without its challenges. Being aware of these upfront can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore the key benefits and potential pitfalls of outsourcing frontend development and share tips to help you determine if it’s the right move for your business.
Why is Frontend Outsourcing So Popular?
Two months before the biggest football event of the year, EURO 2024, we were approached by a company specializing in mobile app development. They needed to create a sports betting web application for their client but lacked the internal resources to handle the tight deadline. They opted for outsourcing their frontend. Similarly, an international software company turned to us to deliver a completely new frontend for their product.
In today’s digital world, the frontend is the showcase of your digital product or service. If it doesn’t look good or function smoothly, users will leave within seconds. More and more businesses are choosing to outsource this crucial part of development. Why? Let’s dive into the reasons:
Easier Onboarding for External Teams
External developers don’t need to dive deep into the complex business processes behind the application. All they need is a clear brief, API documentation, and design templates to get started. Popular frontend frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Angular provide standardized tools, making adaptation quick and efficient.
Lower Security Risks
Frontend developers work exclusively on the visible layers of your application, meaning the user interface. They don’t need access to databases, admin tools, or sensitive data, which minimizes security risks.
Frontend Isolation
The frontend is often separated from the backend and communicates with it through well-defined APIs. This isolation allows external teams to work independently, in parallel with backend teams, without deep integration into other system components. It also simplifies potential frontend updates or replacements.
5 Benefits of Frontend Outsourcing
- Cost Savings
Outsourcing lets you keep costs under control. If you’re working on a short-term project, there’s no need to hire a full-time in-house team. Instead, you only pay for the work you need. - Access to Top Talent
Outsourced teams are often made up of experienced professionals skilled in the latest technologies and frameworks, such as React and Vue.js. This ensures your project is in capable hands. - Increased Flexibility
Outsourcing allows you to scale your team based on your needs. Need a large team at the start of a project but only a few people for final tweaks? Outsourcing adapts to your requirements, avoiding inefficient use of internal resources. - Faster Development
With experienced developers who work quickly and agilely, outsourcing is perfect for projects with tight deadlines, such as preparing for major events. - Efficient Use of Existing Backend
If you already have a functional backend, outsourcing the frontend allows you to seamlessly integrate new features without starting from scratch. This saves time and resources while maximizing the return on your previous investments.
What to Watch Out for When Outsourcing Frontend Development
Let’s be honest, outsourcing isn’t always a walk in the park. Here are some challenges you need to keep in mind:
Poor Communication
Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings and potential failures. Clear goals and regular feedback are crucial. Schedule daily or weekly meetings to monitor progress, and use project management tools (like Jira, Trello, or Slack) to maintain transparency and track tasks.
Handling Sensitive Data
While frontend work typically involves minimal data access, there may still be instances where sensitive information needs to be shared. Protect your data by signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and ensuring your external partner understands and complies with your security standards. Only grant access to data that’s essential for the task.
Long-Term Dependency
Relying on an external team for an extended period can be risky, especially if the partner is unreliable. Set up clear terms for collaboration to ensure you can smoothly transition to another vendor or bring the project in-house if necessary. External teams should provide thorough documentation and transfer knowledge to your internal team for future independence.
So, to Sum It Up…
- You lack internal resources for frontend development.
- You need to launch a project or implement changes quickly.
- You don’t want to invest in recruitment, training, or long-term commitments.
- You require team flexibility based on project demands.
- You have a functional and well-documented backend.
Pavol Pavuk
The author of the article is a project manager passionate about agile methodologies. Pali oversees projects and pre-sales activities mainly in e-commerce and CX, ensuring two-way communication, mutual satisfaction, and the quality of deliverables.
