A complete guide to offshore web application development
Outsourcing your web development to an overseas IT service provider is not a decision to be taken lightly. Before you begin, you should understand the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing depending on the outsourcing country, be informed about the types of services you can outsource, examine the benefits you’ll gain from outsourcing, anticipate the steps for organizing an offshore web project, and ask yourself the right questions before partnering with a service provider.
Contents
- What is offshore web application development
- Comparison: Offshore vs Nearshore vs Onshore
- What are the services offered in offshore development?
- What types of offshore web development projects exist?
- What are the benefits of offshore web development?
- What are the stages of an offshore web project?
- Offshore web agency: which agency should you choose based on your needs?
Frequently asked questions in offshore web development - Why entrust your offshore web development project to Bocasay?
What is Offshore Web Aapplication Development?
This concept is also referred to as “remote development,” “offshore IT outsourcing,” or simply “offshore development” in English-speaking environments.
To put it simply, offshore development involves having your tools, apps, and web systems produced in a foreign country other than France, such as Madagascar or Vietnam. “Offshore” literally means “away from the shore,” implying distance from French territory. You are thus hiring a foreign business to handle all or some of the activities associated with developing web applications, software, mobile apps, or application maintenance, depending on the unique requirements of your project.
Comparison: Offshore vs Nearshore vs Onshore
| Term | Definition | Time Difference | Key Characteristics |
| Offshore | Outsourcing one or more IT development activities to a provider located in a country far from France. | France ➡️ Mauritius (+2h summer time / +3h standard time) France ➡️ Madagascar (+1h summer time / +2h standard time) France ➡️ India (+3h30 summer time / +4h30 standard time) France ➡️ Vietnam (+5h summer time / +6h standard time) | ✅ Very cost-effective ✅ Specialized technical and functional expertise ✅ Some countries are proficient in French ⚠️ Time difference can vary significantly depending on the destination ⚠️ Need to speak English depending on the country |
| Nearshore | Outsourcing all or part of IT activities to a geographically close company—located in a neighboring or bordering country or within the same time zone as France. | France ➡️ Portugal (-1h) France ➡️ Morocco (-1h) France ➡️ Spain (same time zone) | ✅ Attractive cost✅ In some cases: cultural and physical proximity✅ Reduced or no time difference✅ Some countries speak French⚠️ Need to speak other languages, e.g., Spanish, Portuguese |
| Onshore (local) | Using a local or national partner (based in France). | Paris ➡️ Lyon Paris ➡️ Marseille | ✅ Smoother and more direct communication✅ Better understanding of the local market✅ Strong geographical proximity✅ Little to no cultural barrier⚠️ High cost |
What Are the Services Offered in Offshore Development?
The range of IT services available through offshore outsourcing is highly diverse. You will find the same IT services in foreign countries as you would in France or elsewhere. Various activities can be outsourced offshore.
| Service | Brief Description | Examples of Offshore Activities |
| IT Outsourcing / Managed Services | Ensure the continuity, security, and performance of IT infrastructure. | ▷ Monitor networks, servers, and security ▷ Perform backups and updates ▷ Manage incidents and technical issues |
| Application Maintenance (TMA) | Maintain and enhance software applications developed in-house or by another provider. | ▷ Develop new features ▷ Refactor the code ▷ Optimize performance ▷ Fix bugs and regressions ▷ Conduct technical audits ▷ Reduce technical debt ▷ Anticipate technical issues |
| Custom Application Development | Design and build tailor-made web, software, or mobile applications to meet the specific needs of a business or market. The goal is to create tools that off-the-shelf software cannot provide. | ▷ CRM ▷ ERP ▷ SaaS ▷ Software ▷ E-commerce site ▷ Marketplace ▷ Mobile application ▷ Showcase website ▷ Corporate website |
| System Migration and Integration | Move data, applications, or systems from one environment to another. Interconnect applications and systems to streamline communication. | ▷ Migration to the cloud ▷ Migration from one software to another ▷ Connecting a CRM to a mobile point-of-sale application |
| Application Support | Provide technical assistance to users of a specific business application or software. Ensure optimal tool usage through responsive support. | ▷ Provide solutions to common and recurring issues ▷ Offer technical user assistance ▷ Conduct in-depth diagnostics |
IT Development Services Available Offshore
The possibilities for offshore projects are limitless. Everything is possible.
What types of offshore web development projects exist?
The types of projects you can outsource to a foreign provider are numerous and virtually infinite, as you may have seen in the previous table.
The wide variety of projects that can be outsourced offshore is made possible thanks to the talented individuals trained in renowned institutes, schools, and universities. These young or more experienced engineers design and develop using a broad range of web, mobile, e-commerce, content, front-end, and back-end technologies.
| Theme | Type of Project |
| Web Applications and Business Platforms | ▸ Showcase websites ▸ Corporate websites ▸ E-commerce platforms ▸ Simulators ▸ Business management systems ▸ Marketplaces Designing and creating custom applications is one of the most common offshore projects, thanks to the low initial investment cost. Application scalability is considered from the beginning of the project. It is integrated into the architecture to support the company’s growth with an evolving tool. |
| Enterprise Applications and Business Process Automation | ▸ CRM ▸ ERP ▸ Collaborative portals ▸ E-learning platforms ▸ E-health solutions ▸ Financial management ▸ Internal workflows ▸ IT monitoring Development of complex applications targeting specific needs: ▸ user management ▸ integration of advanced business rules ▸ traceability ▸ interoperability ▸ interconnection with existing repositories ▸ modular architecture… |
| Back-office and Admin Portals | ▸ Management of customer, user, product, pricing, and access rights repositories ▸ Development of smooth and intuitive admin consoles ▸ Security management ▸ Activity log management ▸ Integrated monitoring tools Data is controlled, and its flow within the information system is optimized. |
Types of IT Projects That Can Be Outsourced Offshore
The list is still long, but we’ll stop here, otherwise, this article would triple in length 😉. Indeed, we haven’t yet discussed custom software publishing or the development of APIs and web services.
Feel free to read our article on the topic: Types of IT Projects to Outsource to Vietnam or Madagascar
What Are the Benefits of Offshore Web Development?
1 – You Gain Speed
By working with an offshore service provider, you accelerate the go-to-market timeline for your digital tools ,web, mobile, and software. You become more responsive than your competitors and gain market share.
How? 👉 Offshore companies, such as Bocasay, for example, are experienced in setting up dedicated developer teams in a very short time (less than a month), and have been doing so for over ten years. Your project is matched with the right skills and launched quickly using appropriate tools and methodologies.
2 – Your IT Budget Is Lower
Offshore service providers, like their French counterparts, provide average daily rates (TJM) that are adjusted for the cost of living in their respective countries. If the offshore country has a cheaper cost of living than France, you will save money. Gain complete cost control over your project.
How? 👉 By outsourcing your development activity to an offshore provider, you reduce expenses in three key areas of your organization:
- Payroll: No need to hire internally.
- Recruitment: You avoid the process of sourcing technical talent.
- Infrastructure: Equipment, software licenses, and tool-related costs are covered by the provider, not you.
👉 If you want to learn more about Cost Optimization in Offshore Development: Key Strategies for Maintaining Quality at no Extra Cost, read our complete article here.
3 – You Strengthen Your Technology Stack
Expert support provides you with access to a wide range of technologies. You benefit from a comprehensive working environment that includes technical tools, project tracking, and collaboration options. Thanks to the ecosystem established by your provider, you improve your own technological structure and procedures, bringing you closer to being a digital specialist in the solutions you supply.
How? 👉 The offshore teams work remotely to interact with your internal teams as though they were a part of your business. As an integral component of your workplace, the supplier provides the tools you need for ticketing, reporting, communication, and version control to ensure maximum productivity.
Additionally, specific processes are implemented to strengthen the connection between your internal and external teams, despite the geographic distance.
The Agile method is widely favored by most offshore companies to successfully carry out projects, with incremental and functional deliveries at the end of each sprint.
Offshore web development allows you to scale resources up or down depending on periods of high or low activity. You can add developers to your team when demand increases and scale down when things are calmer.
Many More Advantages Exist
Though not detailed (yet) in this guide, here’s a quick overview:
- You reduce training costs for your staff.
- You lower career management expenses.
- You avoid the burden of managing talent turnover.
- You gain more time to focus on your core business by relying on a reliable, recognized partner.
👉 You can find others benefits in another article : The Advantages of Developing your IT Project Offshore: Competence, Commitment and Professionalism
What Are the Steps in an Offshore Web Project?
So, how does it actually work when you want to launch an offshore IT project? What are the steps to follow? Let’s break it all down and provide clear answers.
Offshore IT is simple. If a provider tells you it’s complicated, that’s not the one you want to rely on.
Launching an offshore web project in just 4 steps:
- Needs Assessment: After defining your requirements in a detailed brief, you present your project to us — either via video call or in person at our Paris office.
- Team Formation: Our technical and commercial departments work together to determine the most suitable team composition for your project, based on your budget. The team is then introduced to you for approval. If the proposal doesn’t suit you, we offer an alternative.
- Project Kickoff: Once the team is validated and the contract is signed, the team, tools, and working environment are ready. Your project begins.
- Project Management: Once you’ve hit cruising speed 🚢, you are in daily direct contact with your offshore team. Our project managers send you weekly reports detailing ongoing development and progress.
Offshore Web Agency: Which Agency Should You Choose Based on Your Needs?
Needs differ from one company to another, and especially from one stakeholder to another. The table below is designed to help you make the right decision depending on your specific situation.
| You’re situation | Our advice |
| It’s your first offshore experience | Ideally, start with a pilot project to validate the collaboration method with an initial “test” run. This first experience is valuable before committing to a larger project. Try to find an offshore provider who has already worked on a similar project or has proven experience in your industry. Be sure to check the future partner’s references and client reviews to make a secure choice. |
| Your project is technically complex | To ensure the offshore company fully masters the relevant technical aspects and technologies, ask future developers to complete technical tests. Complement these tests with an interview to assess their soft skills and discuss their approach to solving problems. |
| Your budget is limited | With a limited budget, the common mistake is to go for the cheapest offshore provider. Sometimes, this comes at the expense of deliverable quality. Pay close attention to the quality of the code delivered. We advise against compromising quality for the lowest price. This strategy is risky and may backfire — your project could be jeopardized. Aim for reasonable offshore costs with guaranteed quality. From experience, offshore web collaboration requires a well-defined framework and a well-oiled methodology: frequent meetings, a single point of contact, etc. If you have no choice but to work with a low-cost provider, secure your project by appointing an internal project manager who can closely monitor development progress. |
| You need regular communication and proximity | If geographic proximity is essential for your peace of mind, then opt for an onshore or local partner. Alternatively, offshore can still work — consider visiting your offshore team during a trip to their country. It’s also a great opportunity to discover beautiful countries with rich cultures. Transparent, regular collaboration is easily achievable thanks to countless communication tools: WhatsApp, Teams, Slack, etc. A simple and effective strategy is to set up a daily 15-minute call ritual with your offshore contact. This greatly benefits your project. |
| You’re looking for fast deliveries | Larger teams can accelerate the delivery of features. However, do not sacrifice project quality for development speed. Consult with technical experts before significantly expanding the development team, your organization must be rock-solid. We recommend finding a balance in the velocity of your offshore development team. |
| You need maximum confidentiality | Confidentiality is not an issue in offshore web development. What you absolutely must do is demand the signing of a strict confidentiality agreement — a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). |
| Your project is constantly evolving | If your project is continuously evolving and you are constantly trying to manage your budget, offshore web development is made for you. With the right provider, you’ll have a clear and agile framework where changes can easily be integrated into each new development sprint. Make sure to align with your partner on the type of agile methodology you wish to use: Scrum, Kanban. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Offshore Web Development
How does a collaboration begin?
Collaboration starts with a scoping phase where you define your goals and requirements with the offshore company. The provider then comes back to you with a proposal including the applicable average daily rates (TJM), a suitable team to work on your project, the technologies recommended, and a project launch schedule.
Once you have validated the overall collaborative framework and the contractual terms, the first project kickoff meeting can take place.
How can you ensure the quality of remote web development?
If your offshore provider has indicated that code reviews are carried out along with technical and functional testing for each development sprint, you can rest assured that quality will be maintained.
Additionally, working within an Agile methodology adds an extra level of quality control through intermediate validations. Quality also depends greatly on having a good Product Owner or Functional Project Manager, either provided by the offshore company or from your internal team.
How does billing work for offshore web projects?
There are two billing models: fixed-price (forfait) and time and materials (T&M or régie).
- Fixed-price billing is mostly used for well-defined projects with a stable scope. Typically, a 30% upfront payment is made upon contract signing, followed by milestone-based payments (e.g., after design delivery, completion of feature modules), with the final balance due upon full delivery.
- Time and materials billing is better suited for projects that are not fully defined from the start and are expected to evolve. In this model, you are billed based on the actual time spent by your offshore development team. You receive a detailed activity report and access to project tracking tools.
If you’re unsure which billing method to choose, check out our article: How to Choose Between a Fixed-Price Project and a Time and Materials Project?
Why Entrust Your Offshore Web Development Project to Bocasay?
The Best Technologies for Your Project
Our development engineers are skilled in a wide range of technologies:
- React
- Zend
- Laravel
- Drupal
- Symfony
- WordPress
- Angular
- Magento
- Node.js
- .NET
- Python
We offer you the best in offshore web development: the right tools, methodology, and quality at competitive costs.
Passionate About Code
We are committed to investing time in what matters to you. We understand the business goals you’re aiming for and do everything in our power to help you reach them. We adapt our tech roadmap to your unique challenges.
We’ve Probably Already Worked on Your Challenge
With over 12 years of experience, we’ve delivered hundreds of web applications, websites, software, and mobile apps for clients across various industries. We likely already have a complete solution tailored to your project.
Our Work and Client References
Explore some of our past projects and client references. We’ve worked with:
- AutoDistribution
- Foch Hospital
- Hy-Result (e-health)
- IdeaHQ
- Clasis
- Eurovet
If the offshore journey interests you and you’d like to work with a team of passionate experts for over 12 years, get in touch with us.
