E-commerce store: in-house or outsourced

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In today’s time you would find the malls empty but the traffic on the digital platforms is always on the surge. Well, all thanks to Covid-19! E-commerce today is only on the rise and rise. Nothing is going to stop this surge anytime soon.

Recent research supports the same ideology. The share of E-commerce sales in 2015 was a mere 7.40%. But now they expect it to grow by at least 22% in the coming year. The eCommerce landscape is growing.

Business owners are investing in the idea of staying on top of eCommerce trends. They want to stay updated with the changing trends and seek new opportunities. Thus, business owners need to adopt ways to stay abreast with the competitive world!

Through this article, we will give you a detailed overview of what may work according to your business needs, should you develop your eCommerce store either via outsourcing an eCommerce web development company or hiring in-house developers.

We have also highlighted the pros and cons of the two so that you will be better able to sift through the available options.

E-commerce development: in-house or outsourced? 

Wondering if you should invest in building your eCommerce website? Well, it shouldn’t be an option now, it is an absolute necessity. Whom should you consider to help you build your eCommerce website? Some business owners prefer hiring in-house developers rather than outsourcing web development services. Whereas, some may prefer outsourcing the web development services.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. But, outsourcing services to the best web development company is the most suitable option especially if you are a start-up and looking to seek new opportunities, go global and stay at the top of the eCommerce trend.

Let’s get to know more!  

In-house development: eCommerce

You need dedicated eCommerce developers in your team if you choose to develop e-commerce solutions in-house. The entire eCommerce process is fully managed by your own internal team according to the needs and expectations of your customers. 

Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of in-house e-commerce solutions. 

What is the main advantage of in-house approach?

Absolute control over operations!

An in-house team of developers gives you absolute control over the operations. Your internal team is working on the entire eCommerce site. They are responsible for meeting the specific needs of your business. Regular maintenance and support at all terms is also their responsibility. 

Quickly dealing with technical issues!

Here the in-house developers have an edge over outsourcing a third party. Since they are well aware of the nature of the business thus they will be quick to capitalize on business through their eCommerce site. This also gives them the benefits of reacting to issues upfront as they arise. 

 The opportunity for enhanced customization!

The greatest advantage of an in-house team is that they can customize at a greater degree. Since they are well aware of the business nature thus they can customize everything better according to business needs and goals.

What are the disadvantages of in house development?

Training Budget

Managing an e-commerce store is not everybody’s cup of tea! You need to hire professionals to manage your eCommerce site for you. Be ready to expect some compromise on the quality of their core activities if you are not outsourcing. Also, you will have to give a good training budget to train your team for eCommerce activities.

Security Issues

The consumer of today is well-informed. They are very much concerned about data breaches. They want to know how well a company can manage its private details. Especially as a start-up, managing cyber security on your own can be a little challenging. 

Overcoming time – constraints 

Managing eCommerce solutions on your own can be time-consuming. This may affect the working of the in-house team. Resulting in taking them away from their core responsibilities. 

Lack of skill

Lack of expertise in eCommerce solutions can get you in trouble. Especially if you plan to take your business worldwide. There are certain key areas that should be very well managed including cybersecurity, legal contracts, etc.

What is outsourcing for e-commerce development?

Outsourcing e-commerce development is to hiring an expert third party. The third-party manages the entire e-commerce solutions of your company. The best part of outsourcing e-commerce development is that it allows your team to do what they do the best. i.e. to look after their core responsibilities.

Let’s have a look at some of the advantages which outsourcing e-commerce development has to offer. 

What are the benefits of outsourcing in eCommerce development?

Best e-commerce solutions! 

Hiring an outsourced e-commerce solution team is beneficial. It is equal to plugging in an extensive knowledge base for your company. An outsourced e-commerce team spends time on one and only one thing: e-commerce. They know it like the back of their hands. A reputable agency will promise and provide you with the best eCommerce solutions. They would help you in every way to scale up your sales and go global.

 Extensive cybersecurity solutions 

The outsourced e-commerce partners help you improve your cybersecurity. They have a dedicated team for the detection of fraud and threats.  

Helps you rank better

 An experienced eCommerce agency knows how to get you to the top of the ranks. You can rely on them to get you better promotional campaigns. The right skillset of an agency can get you which wouldn’t be possible with a less experienced in-house team.  

They know technical issues like the palm of their hands. 

You can count on an outsourced ecommerce agency! They are experienced and can deal with all sorts of technical breakdowns. Assign your e-commerce solutions to a responsible outsourced partner to make things easy. This allows you to focus on your own critical activities.

What are the main disadvantages of e-commerce development?

Meeting deadlines

There is an increase in demand for e-commerce website developers. This may make it difficult for them to meet deadlines. With the increase in the workload for them, you may experience some lag in your schedule. But, this may not always be the case. 

Finding the best partner

Finding the right partner for eCommerce development can be daunting. You will find many vendors in the market. But, you need to ensure that you pick the one who is trustworthy, professional, and reliable.

The final verdict! 

Which choice to make? Well, the choice should be according to the needs of your business. But, you need to remember that e-commerce is not everyone’s cup of tea. With the growing landscape of e-commerce, you need to have a professional by your side. Someone whom you can trust to meet the increasing demands of the consumers and keep you in top trends.     
Connect with the team of professionals at Focusteck & learn more about eCommerce growth. We offer fully managed e-commerce services that will fuel your eCommerce business growth!