When to Outsource a Tech Project for Your Business
When to Outsource a Tech Project for Your Business
By: Katie Conroy
As your company grows and develops, you will invariably have times when you have to overhaul, replace, or enhance your software and other systems. And when those times come, you need to decide whether you’re going to try to take on tech projects in-house or outsource to a freelance professional or an outsourcing company. The answer to this question will depend heavily on the scope and nature of the project as well as the tech proficiency of your existing team.
In general, however, there are some types of tech projects that are often good candidates for outsourcing, especially if these are neither tasks that your company specializes in nor projects relevant to core company identity.
Web design.
Some entrepreneurs may be leery about entrusting their company site to an outside professional. Yes, there are a lot of things that could go wrong along the way. But if you contract with a reliable and well-regarded design company, and are willing to pay for high-quality work, outsourcing your web design can save you time and ultimately boost your company’s profitability, since a good website is crucial to marketing and sales. Just be sure to look at the portfolio of the expert or experts you work with and read reviews before contracting with a web designer.
Software development.
If software development is not a component of your business’s core competency, it is often recommended that you outsource to experts. This is because software development is not reducible to a single chore; it is a complex and inter-related array of tasks that can involve anything from application development to data analysis. If you don’t have an in-house team that does this already, trying to get it done on your own could get frustrating and time-consuming, and yield poor results. Again, do be sure to contract with a reliable company when you have a software development project that needs to be completed.
Cybersecurity.
With the rise of cyberattacks and other forms of data breaches, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important to the well-being and reputation of a business. But not every company can afford to have in-house cybersecurity professionals. And this is an area where trying to do it yourself is not always a great idea, no matter how tech-savvy you are, since it really does take specialized training to detect and prevent threats before they become serious.
Technical Support.
Technical support is essential to your company’s smooth functioning. It’s not just that having tech problems creates slowdowns and backlogs. It’s also that tech issues lead to frustrated and unhappy team members. But you may not need to have support agents in the house full-time. They simply need to be available on call. When you outsource to a tech support company, your employees are guaranteed to have the assistance they need as soon as they need it.
Other helpful outside services.
Some other services you can outsource to freelancers or specialized companies include content creation, social media management, and customer service. Additionally, if you need to form your business as a limited liability company, and have not yet done so, you can hire a Maryland LLC registered agent to tend to this for you quickly and affordably. Don’t put this off too long since the formation of your business affects both the limits of your liability and access to certain tax breaks.
Projects you may be able to do in-house.
Sometimes, if you simply invest in the right software, you may be able to tend to some of your tech-related tasks on your own. For instance, you can buy accounting software that will help you manage the books and stay on top of payroll. Or if you’d rather not outsource to a designer to help craft a company logo, you can access a logo creator online free, and choose from an array of attractive styles and icons.
Running a business effectively often means finding that magical balance between knowing when you can do it on your own, and when to seek support or delegate. Outsourcing is one way you can strengthen your company by drawing on top-notch talent. And don’t forget the importance of networking and mutual support. Black women entrepreneurs seeking further empowerment and inspiration through community, consider joining the Women’s Entrepreneurship Leadership Lab network.