Why Should You Outsource Custom Ecommerce Website Development in the USA?

Customers view your eCommerce website as more than just a shopping site. They wish to try clothes virtually, get instant support for their orders, or love to get personalized recommendations for their next shopping experience. Adding these advanced features makes eCommerce web development more complex than before. 

With minimal resources and little experience with the latest web development technologies, developing such a web store, impressing customers, and driving sales would take a lot of work. 

Outsourcing eCommerce website development is the best option for businesses like yours. If you are new to outsourcing, you might wonder how hiring external developers benefits you. Explore our guide to learn everything about it.

What is eCommerce Outsourcing?

Ecommerce outsourcing is a business strategy where retailers, manufacturers, or businesses like you can hire freelance web developers or agencies.

You can outsource either for complete end-to-end development of an eCommerce website or for specific tasks. These could be inventory control, order processing, delivery, user interface design, eCommerce store website development, and more. However, the hiring model depends on specific needs and goals. 

Here's a list of the services you can expect from outsourced eCommerce website development:

• E-commerce web design
• E-commerce web development
• Migrations and API integrations
• Development or feature enhancement
• Website redesigning
• Testing of eCommerce websites
• Regular support and maintenance 

Benefits of Outsourcing eCommerce Website Development in the USA

When you think of outsourcing, the first thing that comes to mind is cost savings. Although you could save quite a bit of money by outsourcing, that's only one part of the process. 

Employing skilled and experienced developers to develop and manage your online store comes with numerous benefits, including the ability to scale, efficiency, and access to the expertise that your internal team might not have. 

1. Cost Savings

Outsourcing Ecommerce development services in the USA is more affordable than hiring in-house teams due to lower labor costs.

It is also cost-effective because you don't have to worry about the salary, employee benefits, and other costs associated with full-time workers.

Furthermore, you don't have to cover downtime costs when things slow down, and you're not susceptible to layoffs and rehires when your business expands irregularly. Rehiring and hiring will only raise your costs.

2. Access to Specialized Skills and Expertise

By outsourcing eCommerce web development, you can screen potential developers with the skills and expertise you need the most while keeping your in-house team for main business goals.

3. Improved Time and Efficiency 

Outsourcing increases efficiency than relying solely on an internal team. Another benefit of hiring remote web app developers is asynchronous collaboration. Teams would constantly contribute to the projects across different time zones and working hours. 

4. Scalability and Flexibility

Handling large demands and boosting your tech capabilities quickly is extremely stressful and challenging, especially with a small team. 

This is where an outsourcing eCommerce website development company can be beneficial. Instead of hiring fresh internal staff, which requires quite a long time, hire a full-service outsourcing provider to handle demands. 

Naturally, striving for success while preparing for the worst-case scenarios is important in everything you do. If your business slows down, limit the number of services, which makes outsourcing a flexible option. 

5. Lower Maintenance and Labor Costs

There is a way to cut costs by outsourcing rather than hiring an internal development team. The only cost you pay is for required services, and there aren't any extra costs unlike in the case of an internal team. 

Additionally, outsourcing helps companies save money on hiring, onboarding, and training new employees and ongoing maintenance and support for eCommerce development projects.

This results in huge cost savings on labor and maintenance for businesses like you with minimum resources. It can also help you to allocate resources more efficiently.

6. International Market Expansion 

Outsourcing to build an E-commerce website brings the advantage of collaborating with experts around the world. They have different levels of expertise and knowledge of the different markets, giving you a fresh perspective for your online store. 

India, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, and the USA are a few countries with top levels of developers. However, the cost of hiring eCommerce web developers is different in each country. Don’t fall for the myth that quality comes at a higher cost. 

Also, search for a development company within your target market. For instance, if your business is in New York and you want expansion in Asian countries, outsource a native eCommerce website development service provider. They have better knowledge of the local market than others. 

7. Less Hassles and Smoother Project Management

You can easily outsource eCommerce web developers with less hassle and extensive development experience. 

However, creating a successful eCommerce website demands countless hours of effort for maintenance and management. It takes more than just coders to build an attractive online platform; you'll also need graphic designers, copywriters, and marketing specialists.

Hiring all these specialists can be challenging and cost a lot of money, so the best solution is to outsource eCommerce development to a firm that offers a complete range of development and marketing services.

8. Improved Productivity of In-House Team

Outsourcing eCommerce Web development also reduces the burden on your team. Your managers will have more time to focus on other crucial tasks rather than supervising the entire development team. 

In addition, your team will perform more efficiently and produce better results. Overall, outsourcing is a long-term investment that will pay off in many ways like a competitive advantage over your competitors.

9. Effective Risk Management 

Adapting to new technologies comes with risks, especially if your team has little or no experience. In this situation, it's ideal to outsource eCommerce website development to a knowledgeable offshore team. 

They are more skillful and experienced and can handle all the risks associated with the technology without compromising the quality of eCommerce solutions.

10 Rapid Product Release 

Lastly, the major benefit of outsourcing an eCommerce web development company is faster time to market. They have a set workflow for everything, from development to deployment, which results in a faster launch of your eCommerce store. Additionally, these professionals can handle any last-minute issues that may delay the release time otherwise. 

What is the Difference Between Offshoring and Outsourcing?

Some people use the terms “outsourcing" and "offshoring" interchangeably, but they are not the same. Outsourcing is the process of working with third-party development companies. Offshoring refers to hiring outsourcing companies operating in remote locations.

However, even though outsourcing is the norm, certain outsourcing activities are not offshoring, as an organization could hire an in-country development team (onshoring) or a team from a nearby country (nearshoring) for development projects.

Outsourcing is utilizing a third-party development team to offer services you'd otherwise assign to your development team.

Offshoring is a form of outsourcing that involves hiring third-party developers from faraway nations. For example, a US firm contracts with outsourcing companies in India and the Philippines.

Things to Consider Before Outsourcing Ecommerce Development Services

The best way to outsource eCommerce Web development needs a thoughtful method to ensure seamless cooperation between your company and your outsourcing partner. Here are a few essential steps to think about:

Define Your Requirements

It is important to clearly define your business objectives, functional requirements, and desired results. Document your project in detail for the outsourcing partner to ensure a complete understanding of your project.

Research and Shortlist Providers

Conduct a thorough search to find trustworthy outsourcing service providers with experience in successful eCommerce-related projects. Consider experience, expertise, testimonials from clients, and case studies.

Evaluate Skills and Expertise

Check the capabilities and experience of the outsourcing experts in areas related to your eCommerce endeavor. Find a team with expertise in eCommerce platforms, programming languages, and the most recent trends in the industry.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication is essential for the success of outsourcing. It is essential that the outsourcing partner follows clear communication procedures and is willing to share periodic information and updates. Create clear collaboration channels, including tools for managing projects and communication platforms.

Agree on Project Timelines and Milestones

It is important to clearly define the project's timelines, including milestones, deliverables, and timelines. Set a realistic timeframe for every phase of the project, taking into consideration possible challenges and modifications.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Establish a thorough test and quality control system to ensure the functionality, performance, and security of your eCommerce platform. Talk about testing strategies with the outsourcing partner, and ensure you conduct thorough tests before the launch. 

Legal and Contractual Aspects

Define the legal and contract elements of the outsourcing agreement. This includes confidentiality agreements, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution procedures. Get legal advice to make sure that the contract will protect your rights.

Scalability and Future Collaboration

Examine the scalability of the outsourcing arrangement and whether the outsourcing partner can accommodate future growth and modifications. Develop a long-term plan of collaboration and discuss the possibility of continuous support, maintenance, and upgrades.

Following these steps will create a solid foundation for a successful outsourcing partnership and ensure the efficient creation of an eCommerce website.

10 Challenges Ahead in Your Way of Outsourcing Ecommerce Development

In today's ever-changing and highly competitive marketplace, e-commerce companies frequently turn to outsourcing to streamline their operations and cut expenses. However, this strategy is not without challenges, especially when it comes to managing outsourcing partners efficiently.

1. Communication Issues

Poor communication due to differences in time zones and languages could confuse and delay the progress of projects. Hence, clear and consistent communication channels are crucial to ensure everyone stays on the same page. 

Popular tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams and regular video conferences are very helpful in synching communication between remote teams. 

2. Quality Control

Assuring consistency in quality and adhering to the project's requirements can be a struggle when working with outsourced teams. They may have different expectations or standards. Implementing strict quality control measures, such as code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, can help maintain high standards. Regularly scheduled check-ins and progress reports may assist in identifying and fixing issues earlier.

3. Security Concerns

Processing sensitive customer information and financial transactions requires strict security measures to guard against cyber-attacks. Ensuring that your outside teams follow the best practices in data security is vital. 

They should use secure coding methods, regularly conduct security checks to ensure ongoing protection, and implement strict access controls. Encrypting data both during the transit phase and in its resting state and complying with applicable laws regarding data protection are likewise important actions.

4. Dependency on External Vendors

Relying on external software vendors for crucial tasks could result in risks related to availability, reliability, and the availability of services. It is important to select companies with a solid track record and backup plans for contingencies in place. 

Making clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and frequently checking your vendor's performance ensure that they can meet your expectations and requirements for the project.

5. Cultural Differences

Different work culture practices, business practices, and ways of communicating between the outsourcing firm and the client may affect collaboration and the results of projects. Respecting and understanding these differences can enhance teamwork and ensure the success of your project. 

Offering training on cultural sensitivity to your team members and encouraging dialogue on working practices can help bridge the gap and create an even more harmonious professional relationship.

6. Cost Management

While outsourcing is economical, unexpected costs like additional revisions, scope changes, or hidden costs can impact the budgeting process. A clear contract that outlines the potential costs, as well as regular budget reviews, can help you manage expenses. 

It is also helpful for you to incorporate clauses that permit modifications in the event of scope changes and keep the budget cushioned to cover unexpected costs.

7. Integration Challenges

Integrating components from outsourced suppliers with the existing platforms and systems within the company could require more effort and testing for compatibility. The planning for integration at the beginning will help save time and money later. 

Documentation that is thorough, well-defined APIs, and consistent integration tests during the development phase can ensure that the components function seamlessly.

8. Legal and Compliance Issues

It is difficult to ensure compliance with regulations regarding data protection, intellectual property rights, and contractual obligations over international borders. Consulting with lawyers experienced in international law can help navigate these difficulties. 

It's crucial to have clear contracts that clearly define the requirements for compliance, protect intellectual property rights, and deal with any legal issues that could arise during the process.

9. Risk of Project Delays

Things like delays in communication, unexpected technical difficulties, or restrictions on the outsourcing side could result in project delays. Setting realistic deadlines, including buffer times, and having a clearly defined project plan can reduce the risk.

Regular updates on progress, as well as proactive problem-solving and the flexibility to alter plans when needed, will assist in keeping the project on course.

10. Loss of Control

When businesses outsource crucial elements of the development process, they fear losing control over their project management and decision-making procedures. Regularly monitoring the process and being involved in key decisions will assist in retaining control. 

Establish solid governance structures and clear communication channels to ensure all the key participants are included in the most important decision-making. Take daily or weekly meetings to check the project status. Transparent reporting will give you a 360-degree view of the project and a sense of control over the project.

The Key Takeaway

Customizing e-commerce website development is increasingly sought-after because it offers numerous benefits to businesses. Outsourcing lets them concentrate on their core strengths while delegating the technical aspects of developing websites to experts.

However, make sure the outsourcing firm has previous experience developing custom e-commerce websites, strong communication skills, and a clear pricing system. The design, planning, development, testing, launch, and maintenance phases are important to the project's success.

We have a group of skilled and knowledgeable eCommerce developers who can create your eCommerce site for various platforms, including Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. You'll get web developers, designers, testers, and project managers under one roof. Contact us today and prepare for a scalable and responsive eCommerce solution.