The Pros and Cons of Hiring Mobile App Developers from Overseas

Mobile app development can be a tricky process. Not in terms of actually getting the job done, as today there are lots of trained professionals which can supply high quality services, but more in terms of actually finding the right app developer to do so.

When thinking about hiring someone, regardless of the job’s nature, the employer will extend the search radius from inside out, meaning that first he will look locally, then district-wise, followed by going national and in the end even international.

Depending on what kind of company we’re talking about, every employer can choose to skip some of these steps and go straight to their desired search criteria. This brings us to the question at hand, namely how much can you benefit from hiring mobile app developers from abroad?

The Language Barrier

When talking about relations between people from different countries, the language barrier is always something to consider.

Fortunately, we live in an era where English media has propagated to such extent that the chances for a random person you meet to know the English language are very high.

It might not be the case for everyone, but knowing English has transcended from being something that looked really good on your resume, to something that is actually expected of you, if you want to be taken seriously, especially in an international environment.

Employing someone that speaks another language could seem like a hassle, but it could be something pretty great for your business.

Depending on what nationalities we’re talking about, maybe it will influence you to broaden up the reaches of your app and develop it for that particular language as well, despite not being initially on your to-do list. But hey, back then you didn’t have a native speaker on your team.

Related blog: Which is Better for Mobile App Development: In-House or Outsourcing?

The situation can also be quite daunting when the language barrier actually exists. Like a lot of other domains where multiple people are working on the same thing, a certain level of communication is required, to make sure that all parties are in sync.

If your new employee has no idea what you’re saying, he’ll probably have a hard time understanding your demands and applying them. This is an example of how outsourcing could backfire.

Still, these kinds of problems can be easily spotted and avoided when conducting an interview. There you can see if they have the required language qualifications.

Cultural Infusion

Another country also means another culture. This could come in handy especially if you are planning to develop an app that’s targeting that country as well.

A local can help you better develop an app that would be well received by his people. It’s not a matter of good vs bad, but rather of preferences and what the people over there like more.

Even if you don’t intend to develop an app for that country, giving your app an international kick could differentiate it from the rest of the pack.

While app development is not something to generally assume is completely different in other countries, there might be some small details tied to another nation’s thinking process that could benefit your business as well.

Different Markets, Different Prices

A very important aspect to take into consideration is the financial one. If the salary or fee you offer isn’t good enough to attract local talent of sufficient skill, you might find it easier to outsource since each country has its own economy.

Different economies and markets also involve different standards and prices that are considered norm. A developer from another country where the standard monetary compensations are lower than in your country might be delighted to be onboard your project, for the same pay that a local wouldn’t look at twice.

On the same note, depending on the involved countries, there will be additional taxes that need to be paid, such as VAT (Value Added Tax), which can be both larger or smaller than your country’s equivalent.

Related blog: Some Questions That Startups Should Answer While Creating an App

Time Zones

One definite issue with outsourcing is the involvement of time zones. If your foreign employee or associate lives enough time zones away, you could find yourself staying up until very late at night, or waking up at the early hours of the day so you can have a meeting with said employee. Or it could be the other way around, but either way, one party will more than likely dislike the time zone issue quite a bit.

Conclusion

There are both positive and negative aspects tied to outsourcing. The only thing remaining is for you to weigh all the pros and cons and see how beneficial it can be for you.

In this article we have gone over the pros and have managed to prove that hiring foreigners can add good things to the table. Remember that all the issues that could appear are situational and not guaranteed.

It’s up to you to make sure your potential employee’s country of residence doesn’t put a strain on your operation more than it helps it.

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Mehul Rajput

Mehul Rajput is the CEO & Director of MindInventory. With a visionary mindset, he harnesses his techno-commercial skills and extensive industry experience to empower cross-functional teams. Under his exceptional leadership, the team consistently delivers cutting-edge digital solutions that not only meet but exceed the expectations of global clients. His commitment to operational excellence has positioned the company as a leader in the field of Digital Transformation, driving innovation and success in every endeavor.