Finding a web developer to create a visually appealing website is relatively easy.  You could jump on Upwork or Fiverr and pay someone in a third-world country a small fraction of what it’d cost to get it done right, but buyer beware – you have to be willing to put up with the problems with outsourcing web development.

Problems with outsourcing web development

Outsourcing web development can be a cost-effective way for businesses to get a professional website built without having to hire an in-house web dev team. However, there are several problems that could arise when outsourcing web development. 

In this blog post, we will take a 10,000-foot overview of some of the most common issues that businesses face when outsourcing web development, including communication difficulties, lack of expertise, and time zone differences.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to build your first website or even a large corporation looking to revamp your existing website, this post aims at providing valuable insights into the potential pitfalls of outsourcing web development, how to avoid them, and most importantly why you should hire English-speaking American citizens.

Language Barriers 

In any situation, language barriers make communication difficult

Language barriers can make communication difficult in any situation, in web development this usually leads to misunderstandings and delays in the dev process. This can result in the developer creating a website that does not meet the client’s expectations.

And even if the developer is fluent in the client’s language, there could still be difficulties in reading . This can make it challenging for the developer to understand the client’s specific needs and vice versa – for the client to understand the developer’s progress and solutions.

In written communication, cultural and idiomatic expressions are often misconstrued, leading to confusion and even if both parties speak the same language, as accents and pronunciations can differ and create confusion.

Time Zone Differences 

Time zones make getting on the same page next to impossible

Even small time zone differences can be a pain because a client and the developer may not be able to communicate during their respective business or waking hours.

Large time zone differences can lead to delays in the development process since the client may not be able to provide feedback or ask questions in a timely manner.

These time differences make it difficult to coordinate schedules for meetings or calls. If the client is based in the USA and the developer is based in India, the client may not be able to schedule a meeting during their business hours because the developer will be asleep.

Time zone differences can also cause delays in resolving technical issues or bugs that arise during the development process which leads to frustration for both the client and the developer.

Quality of Work

High quantity of options for low-end budgets and low-quality work cause problems with outsourcing web development

Hiring a web developer based in a third-world country may save money in the short term, but it’s not a good idea in the long run due to the potential for communication issues, lack of expertise, and even difficulties in legal disputes.

This whole conundrum is mostly due to the abundance of pre-designed themes and templates available online – like Themeforest. These themes can be easily customized to fit a specific aesthetic or brand, making it easy for developers to create a polished and professional-looking website without having to start from scratch – but they come with a handful of problems of their own:

Problems with pre-designed themes and paid templates

1. Pre-designed themes and paid templates lack customization: A pre-designed theme or paid template doesn’t provide the level of customization that clients need to make their website unique. With a custom design, the client can ensure that their website stands out and reflects their brand in a way that a pre-designed theme or paid template can’t.
2. Pre-designed themes and paid templates lack flexibility: Pre-designed themes or paid templates may not be able to accommodate the specific functionality that clients require. A custom design allows for more flexibility in terms of layout, features, and design.
3. Pre-designed themes and paid templates lack SEO: Pre-designed themes and paid templates are often used by multiple website owners, which in regards to duplicate code and syntax can negatively impact a website’s search engine optimization.
4. Pre-designed themes and paid templates lack quality: A custom design is higher quality than a pre-designed theme or paid template. Custom designs are created by experienced designers and developers who take the time to understand the client’s needs and goals.
5. Pre-designed themes and paid templates lack scalability: As the business grows, the website may require new features or functionalities. A pre-designed theme or paid template usually isn’t able to accommodate these changes, whereas a custom design can be easily modified to meet a client’s evolving needs.

We believe in building long-term quality relationships with our clients, which is why we do not outsource anything. Our small team of Americans are dedicated to ensuring that your website is not only visually stunning, but also functional and easy to navigate.

Don’t settle for a pre-designed theme or paid template that may not fully reflect your brand or meet your specific needs. Invest in a custom website from 3tone Digital and see the difference it can make for your business.