We Tested Outsourcing Overseas – So You Don’t Have To

We Tested Outsourcing Overseas – So You Don’t Have To

Outsourcing overseas is often seen as an appealing way to cut costs, access specialized talent, and scale quickly. However, we’ve tested this approach firsthand to understand whether it truly delivers the expected benefits. After our experience, we’ve made the decision to keep our work local—and in this article, we’ll explain why.

The Allure of Outsourcing Overseas

There are many reasons businesses consider outsourcing overseas:

• Cost Savings: Offshore labor is often less expensive, which can make it a tempting option for businesses looking to cut costs.
• Global Talent: The ability to tap into a wider pool of specialists in various fields.
• Scalability: Offshore teams can help quickly scale operations without the overhead of hiring in-house staff.

While these benefits can seem compelling, our experience revealed significant drawbacks that led us to reconsider outsourcing overseas for the long term.

Our Experience: The Challenges We Faced

During our trials with offshore outsourcing, we encountered several recurring challenges that ultimately convinced us to keep work local. Here’s a breakdown of what went wrong:

1. Delays and Communication Gaps

The most consistent challenge we faced was delayed timelines. Projects were often submitted late, and communication felt fragmented. Instead of a single point of contact, we found ourselves communicating with multiple people across different time zones, which resulted in misaligned expectations and increased difficulty in getting clear, consistent updates. This caused project timelines to stretch far beyond what we anticipated, creating unnecessary delays.

2. Quality Control Issues

Despite providing clear instructions, the quality of work we received often fell short. We found ourselves correcting basic mistakes that should have been avoided, such as small errors in coding or missed project specifications. Worse still, many of the solutions implemented were temporary fixes, leaving us with a product that wasn’t built to last. This meant spending more time and resources fixing issues that could have been prevented from the start.

3. Outdated Practices and Lack of Expertise

We quickly realized that the offshore teams we worked with didn’t always have a strong grasp of modern web development practices, especially when it came to security, SEO, and accessibility (AODA) standards. This posed a significant concern, especially when it came to ensuring the security of our websites and optimizing them for search engines. Outdated practices can quickly lead to vulnerabilities, which is why it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with industry standards.

4. Fragmented Accountability

One of the most frustrating aspects of offshore outsourcing was the lack of accountability. As we communicated through shared email accounts, we often found ourselves bouncing between different team members. This made it difficult to establish a clear point of responsibility, which, in turn, led to lack of follow-through on key tasks. When issues arose, it wasn’t always clear who was accountable for resolving them.

The True Cost of Offshore Outsourcing

While we initially saved money by outsourcing, the hidden costs soon outweighed the initial savings. Delays, rework, and quality issues meant we spent more time managing the project and less time focusing on what mattered: growing our business. The time and effort required to oversee the work and fix errors were not worth the savings we had anticipated.

Why We Keep Work Local

After experiencing the challenges of offshore outsourcing, we decided to bring our projects back home. Here are the main reasons why we now prefer to keep work local:

1. Better Quality Control

By working with local partners, we have more control over the quality of the work being done. We can ensure that our teams are aligned on best practices and standards, particularly when it comes to security, SEO, and accessibility. Local professionals understand the specific needs of our market and are equipped to deliver results that meet those expectations.

2. Clearer Communication

Working with a local team means fewer communication barriers. We can meet in person when necessary and easily arrange video calls or phone meetings in the same time zone. This leads to more efficient collaboration and a clearer understanding of project goals, reducing the chance of miscommunication.

3. Accountability

When you work with local teams, there’s more accountability. We know exactly who is responsible for each part of the project, which makes it easier to address issues quickly and effectively. It also ensures that we’re working with individuals who are invested in the success of the project.

4. Speed and Efficiency

Local teams are more familiar with the specific needs and expectations of our business. This means that projects move faster, with fewer delays. Additionally, we can resolve any issues in real-time, without waiting for time zone differences or language barriers to complicate the process.

5. Supporting the Local Economy

By keeping our work local, we’re not only ensuring better outcomes for our business, but we’re also contributing to the growth and success of the local economy. Supporting local talent is something we’re proud of, and it aligns with our values as a business.

The Bottom Line

While outsourcing overseas might seem like a cost-effective solution, our experience taught us that the hidden costs—such as communication challenges, quality issues, and missed deadlines—can quickly outweigh the benefits. For us, keeping work local has proven to be a far more effective way to ensure high-quality results, clear communication, and a smoother overall process.

Outsourcing overseas may work for some businesses, but we believe that, when it comes to quality, accountability, and effective communication, keeping work local is the best choice for long-term success.