Full Guide to Outsourcing Python Development

What is Python?

Before we delve into the details, let's touch upon a few aspects of Python. Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility. Developed by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s, Python has since gained widespread popularity and has become one of the most widely used programming languages.

Python's active and supportive community is a crucial aspect of its success. Developers worldwide contribute to the language's growth by sharing knowledge, creating open-source projects, and participating in forums and discussions. This collaborative environment not only aids learning but also ensures that Python remains relevant and up-to-date.

According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2023, Python ranked as the third most used programming language globally.

Why is Python Important?

Released first in 1991 by Guido Van Rossum, Python is an open-source programming language that is dynamically typed and it also supports several programming paradigms like Object-Oriented, Structured, and functional programming. Without getting too technical, Python eliminated bloated code, enhanced developer productivity quite significantly, and gradually started competing with the likes of Perl and C++.

This catapulted its popularity and gave birth to several other languages today like Ruby, Cobra, Boo & Julia, but more importantly, it was heavily used for a plethora of applications including web development, database management, data visualization, and automation.

Applications of Python

• Website Development: Python here is used to write server-side logic, manage HTTP requests, and several back-end tasks.
• Scraping: Due to advanced logic handling, several web scraping tasks including retrieval and storing can easily be performed by Python
• Data Visualization: Python natively offers several visualization tools that allow for creating customized and appealing plots to present data in an effective way.
• Game Development: The rise of the gaming industry recently witnessed several developers turn to Python for their game development requirements, games like Battlefield 2, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc make use of Python for an effortless development experience.
• CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Python is embedded with applications like Python is embedded with amazing applications like Free CAD and open cascade that allow for intuitive 2D & 3D modeling.
• Business & Software Applications: Thanks to the native security features, the ability to nest complex logic, and scalability features, Python is heavily used by big names for developing business applications and automation.

Global Giants Harnessing the power of Python

Numerous globally recognized companies integrate Python into their technology frameworks for diverse purposes such as web development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. Here is a selection of tech giants that harness the power of Python:

The Game-Changing Advantages of Outsourcing Development

1. Cost Savings:

   • Python development can turn out to be costly depending on the complexity of the project thus outsourcing often proves to be a cost-effective method as companies can leverage the skills of experienced developers from regions with lower labor costs. Check out our cost analysis of Python development for more insight into the cost implications.
   • Overhead expenses, such as infrastructure, equipment, and recruitment, are typically managed by the outsourcing partner, reducing the financial burden on the hiring company.

2. Access to Diverse Talent Pool:

   • Outsourcing provides access to a global pool of skilled Python developers with diverse expertise and experience.
   • This diversity allows companies to find specialists in specific Python frameworks, libraries, or application domains, enhancing the overall quality of the development process.

3. Accelerated Project Timelines:

   • Outsourcing companies often have well-established development processes and workflows, leading to faster project initiation and execution.
   • With dedicated teams working on different aspects of a project simultaneously, the overall development lifecycle can be significantly shortened.

4. Focus on Core Business Activities:

   • Outsourcing Python development enables businesses to concentrate on their core competencies and strategic objectives.
   • By entrusting technical aspects to external experts, organizations can redirect internal resources toward areas where their unique strengths lie, fostering overall business growth.

5. Specialized Expertise:

   • Outsourcing firms often specialize in various technologies, including Python, and maintain teams of developers with specific skill sets.
   • This specialization ensures that projects benefit from the latest Python advancements and best practices, leading to the creation of robust and innovative solutions.

6. Adaptation to Evolving Technologies:

   • External development partners are generally more attuned to industry trends and technological advancements.
   • By outsourcing Python development, companies can more easily adapt to new tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies, ensuring their projects remain cutting-edge.

7. Scalability:

   • Outsourcing allows for easy scaling of development teams based on project requirements.
   • This flexibility is particularly advantageous for businesses with fluctuating workloads, enabling them to expand or contract development resources as needed without the challenges of hiring or downsizing internal teams.

8. Quality Assurance:

   • Reputable outsourcing partners often have robust quality assurance processes in place, leading to the delivery of high-quality, thoroughly tested Python applications.
   • This commitment to quality helps minimize the risk of errors and ensures the development of reliable and secure software.

Python Development Services You Can Outsource

Outsourcing Python development services can be a strategic move for various business needs. Here's a brief overview of the services you can outsource:

Unveiling the Benefits of Outsourcing Python!

Python development offers numerous advantages for businesses, making it a strategic decision for various projects. Here are detailed reasons to consider outsourcing Python development:

1. Access to Expertise:

• Python Specialists: Outsourcing allows you to tap into a pool of skilled Python developers who specialize in various domains such as web development, data science, machine learning, and more.
• Versatility: Python's versatility means you can find experts in different frameworks (Django, Flask, FastAPI) or specific domains like data analytics or AI, depending on your project needs.

2. Cost Efficiency:

• Reduced Operational Costs: Outsourcing to regions with a lower cost of living can significantly reduce development costs without compromising on the quality of work.
• Flexible Hiring Models: Outsourcing provides flexibility in choosing engagement models, such as fixed-price contracts or dedicated development teams, aligning costs with project requirements.

3. Faster Time to Market:

• Rapid Development: Python's concise syntax and extensive libraries enable faster development cycles, and outsourcing allows you to leverage experienced developers for quicker project completion.
• 24/7 Development: Utilizing teams in different time zones ensures continuous development and faster turnaround times.

4. Focus on Core Competencies:

• Strategic Resource Allocation: Outsourcing routine tasks, like Python scripting or automation, frees up internal resources to focus on core business functions, innovation, and strategic initiatives.
• Access to a Global Talent Pool: Outsourcing enables businesses to access diverse skills and experiences not available in-house, leading to more robust solutions.

5. Scalability and Flexibility:

• Adaptable Teams: Outsourcing provides scalability, allowing you to easily scale up or down the development team based on project requirements.
• Access to Latest Technologies: Outsourced teams often stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies, ensuring your project benefits from the most recent advancements.

6. Risk Mitigation:

• Reduced Dependency: Relying on an outsourced team reduces the risk associated with employee turnover, ensuring continuity in the development process.
• Contractual Agreements: Well-defined contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) mitigate risks by providing a clear understanding of project deliverables, timelines, and quality expectations.

7. Global Collaboration:

• Diverse Perspectives: Working with an outsourced team introduces diverse perspectives and ideas, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving.
• Cultural Diversity: A globally distributed team brings cultural diversity, enriching collaboration and potentially opening new markets.

8. Quality Assurance:

• Specialized QA Teams: Many outsourcing providers offer dedicated quality assurance teams, ensuring thorough testing and high-quality deliverables.
• Code Review and Standards: Experienced outsourced teams follow coding standards and conduct regular code reviews, enhancing the overall quality of the development process.

9. Focus on Security:

• Data Security Measures: Reputable outsourcing firms implement robust security measures, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of your data.
• Compliance Standards: Compliance with international data protection and security standards is often a priority for outsourced development teams.

10. Long-Term Partnership:

• Continuous Improvement: Establishing a long-term relationship with an outsourcing partner allows for continuous improvement, iterative development, and ongoing support.
• Strategic Alignment: Aligning outsourcing partners with your business goals ensures they understand your vision and contribute effectively to your long-term success.

Key Considerations for Successful Python Development Outsourcing

Outsourcing Python development requires careful consideration to ensure you choose the right company for your project. Here's a step-by-step guide and key considerations for successful Python development outsourcing:

1. Verify Experience and Expertise:

a. Portfolio: Examine the company's portfolio to gauge their experience in Python development. Look for projects similar to yours.

b. Industry Knowledge: Assess if the company has experience in your industry. Familiarity with industry-specific requirements can be beneficial.

2. Skill Set & Soft Skills:

a. Technical Skills: Ensure the company has a strong technical skill set in Python and relevant frameworks. This includes knowledge of Django, Flask, or other libraries.

b. Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial. Ensure the team can understand your requirements and provide updates in a clear and timely manner.

c. Problem-Solving Abilities: Assess their problem-solving skills, as they will encounter challenges during development.

3. Conduct Interviews:

a. Technical Interview: Conduct technical interviews to assess the team's depth of knowledge in Python and related technologies.

b. Project Understanding: Ensure the team understands the goals and requirements of your project.

c. Team Dynamics: Assess how well the team members collaborate and communicate with each other.

4. Reviews and Testimonials:

a. Client References: Ask for client references and contact previous clients to get feedback on their experiences.

b. Online Reviews: Check online platforms, forums, and review websites for feedback on the company's performance.

5. Pricing:

a. Transparent Pricing: Ensure the pricing structure is transparent and aligns with your budget.

b. Hidden Costs: Clarify any potential hidden costs that may arise during the development process.

c. Value for Money: Balance costs with the quality of work. Choosing the cheapest option may not always lead to the best results.

6. Implementing Robust Project Management Processes and Tools:

a. Project Management Methodology: Ensure the company follows a well-established project management methodology (e.g., Agile, Scrum) to keep the development process organized and on track.

b. Communication Tools: Confirm the use of effective communication tools to keep all stakeholders informed.

c. Progress Monitoring: Establish how the company tracks and reports project progress.

Global Hotspots for Outsourcing Python Development!

When it comes to outsourcing Python development, several destinations are popular due to their skilled workforce, cost-effectiveness, and established IT industries. Here are some notable Python outsourcing destinations:

United States

It's no surprise that the country which is home to some of the most well-known tech companies is also home to some of the most skilled Python developers.

A LinkedIn survey recently revealed that there are about 4,30,000 Python developers in the United States alone. This easily puts the United States in the top 5 positions as far as the absolute number of Python developers is concerned.

Seeing the success of most of the technology companies, it's fair to assume that a lot of these developers would also be highly skilled and adept at the programming language, thus putting the United States at one of the top spots as far as the Python talent pool is concerned.

The downside, however, is that the cost of developing Python projects in the United States can be quite expensive, and not just a slight increase over its alternatives, we're talking about an easy 5x or even a 10x increase in cost. The above data was sourced from Glassdoor and Payscale.

India

Easily one of the most preferred destinations for outsourcing Python development. While we were unable to find any reliable statistics for the number of Python developers in the country, an estimation by the AI model, Chat GPT, tells us that the number is likely to be between 500,000 to a million. While there is a huge demand for this talent domestically, most of this talent is occupied with offshoring projects. from such destinations that will help us understand the real-term salary of Python developers in India. Offshoring Python development to India allows you to cut significant costs by hiring skilled Indian software developers as well as leverage efficient Back-end development and get a competitive edge in AI and ML offshoring by hiring rising talent in Artificial Intelligence.

To Summarize, here are some strong reasons why your next Python project should be outsourced to a company in India.

1. English is widely spoken in India, especially in tier 1 and tier 2 cities. Most Western, Middle Eastern and increasingly, even several South East Asian companies prefer outsourcing work to India since communication is seamless and labour laws don't restrict the working style of the development centres based in India
2. The IT outsourcing boom in India started in the early 2000s and the industry has had ample time to mature and grow in the country. It's quite likely that another company would have engaged with similar work to yours so asking for and verifying references becomes quite simple.
3. Multiple types and sizes of development agencies are present across tier-1 and 2 cities in the country. From full-blown multi-billion software development centres to boutique, specialized agencies with a handful of global clients
4. Due to the sheer volume of IT personnel, Engineering graduates and programming specialists, India has a solid community of developers that can assist with complementary tech stacks in addition to the Python project.
5. Lastly, the cost may not necessarily be the least, especially when compared to Pakistan or the Philippines. In terms of actual value delivered, one can make a pretty strong case for choosing India.

While these are all great reasons, it's important to understand that there are also a few cases and downsides that may not necessarily be dealbreakers but it's always good to know these downsides.

Timezones: Pretty much all of India operates in the IST time (GMT +5:30). If you're from a Western country, you're bound to find it difficult to work in this time zone and this can be a bit of an issue for hands-on managers who're working on critical and time-sensitive projects. The remedy for this is to ensure that the company you're choosing is well-prepped for operating in western Timezones and it's a fairly common practice in India.

Security Concerns & Laws: The Indian Government has made tremendous progress in developing the IT Act, it hasn't evolved in a direction to accommodate modern security requirements. For instance; there's no Indian equivalent law to the GDPR of the EU, so it wouldn't be wise to expect all development companies in India to comply with these requirements.

This issue can be remedied by allowing restricted access to the codebase and databases only to the extent required for getting the job done.

Developers today make reviews and make deployments using platforms like GitHub anyway so managing this shouldn't be a problem.

While the laws may not be that stringent, the enforcement of contractual terms in India is quite disciplined so entering into agreements that ensure privacy and security concerns are taken care of is not a bad idea at all.

Get an understanding of how to develop an offshore company in India and why to opt for India for offshore development

Philippines

While the exact number of Python developers in the Philippines is not known, the country is home to 1.3 million IT professionals and given the popularity of Python, we can expect the number that is specialized in Python to be anywhere between 150,000 to 300,000.

There are a few advantages of choosing a Philippines-based Python service agency:

1. English is far more commonly spoken in the Philippines, quite a bit more than that in India.
2. Even Culturally, the Philippines is one such country that is quite similar to the West, companies looking for this feature specifically may find outsourcing their projects here to be a better option
3. Gauging developer expertise is simpler since the education system and the vocational system followed here are quite similar to that of the United States or any other Western country.
4. A Python developer in the Philippines generally draws an annual salary of ~$12,000 so the pricing is also quite competitive.

However, there are a few factors that may also dissuade you offshoring here:

Immature Industry: Unlike the IT boom in the 2000s in India, the Philippines has only recently emerged as a programming hub. Several policies and laws are in their nascent stages and the talent pool may not be as wide and broad as one may expect

Timezones: Being 2.5 hours ahead of India time (GMT +8:00), western companies may find it tricky to work with Philippines-based developers due to timezone constraints.

Labour Laws: In many aspects, especially labour laws, the Philippines has a relatively strict code that the development agency has to follow. Unlike in India where one can expect the workforce to work odd hours, expecting the same from your agency in the Philippines wouldn't be wise.

Eastern Europe and Latin America

In recent times, 'nearshoring' as a concept has been on the rise in these regions where companies prefer to outsource work to companies located in Geographically or Culturally neighbouring countries.

A German SaaS company choosing to outsource work to a company in Ukraine instead of to India or an American Streaming platform looking to outsource their work to developers in Mexico is an example of nearshoring.

Western countries looking to nearshore their work will find a few aspects advantageous, namely:

Proximity: For evaluating the expertise among competing Python development firms, ensuring speed of delivery is maintained for critical projects and exploring other avenues for cost-savings etc, the proximity can be quite beneficial.

Timezone: Countries neighbouring each other more or less work within the same time zones allowing for seamless collaboration.

The drawbacks, however, are worth knowing:

Cultural Alignment: Some may erroneously assume that just because a country is located in the neighbourhood, they align culturally. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Mexico-United States, India-Pakistan, Poland-Germany etc are all great examples.

Access to Talent Pool: While nearshoring does expand a company's options, it pales in comparison to the accessibility that offshoring allows.

Cost Effectiveness: Nearshoring may not even result in a worthwhile reduction in cost. It restricts companies from outsourcing the work to neighbouring regions which are likely to not be technical hubs or cost-effective centres in the first place.

Other locations

Vietnam:

China:

• China has a large and rapidly growing IT industry.
• Skilled Python developers are available.
• Costs can be lower compared to Western countries.

Central Europe:

Russia:

Who to Outsource Python Development to?

A company may choose from any of these arrangements for their outsourcing requirement based on the scope of the project, the budget, and the level of attention a company may seek. When it comes to offshoring critical software development such as Python development, there are many different outsourcing models to choose from so here's an analysis that will help you understand which is the right one or suits your needs the most.

Development Centres

These are full-blown software development centres that are stacked with specialized talent across a range of software platforms, technologies, frameworks, tools and languages and these centres generally also offer allied services such as UI/UX design, digital-first marketing solutions etc

A more popular sub-set among these are offshore development companies, which are entities that are located in countries with an abundance of technical talent and a low cost of living.

They aim to reduce and seriously minimize level 2 or level 3 technical development and support

Working with a development centre is ideal if

1. You're a relatively larger company with at least more than 100 employees
2. Your Python development requirement is mult-faced and related to a slew of tech stacks, on which, you might also need the support of the agency
3. Your company or your employer has strict requirements on vendor empanelment, including size-based, certifications and after conducting an extensive risk assessment.

Boutique Agencies

Outsourcing development work to boutique offshore agencies, especially ones specialized in Python development is our most recommended course of action for most of our inbound enquiries.

For one, the development teams within these agencies don't operate in Silos and generally are led by a founding team of technical professionals with a plethora of deep-tech expertise.

This means that companies enjoy the dual benefit of specialised high-quality technical support as well as a high degree of attention that is simply not feasible with development centres.

Another advantage is that working with these boutique agencies is where the bulk of the cost-savings are realized since their costing will be far lower, even when compared to an offshore development centre.

The downside, however, is that many of these companies tend to not have the best certifications and team-size requirements set forth by various clients, making it a tad bit difficult to identify the worthwhile ones but this can easily be mitigated through an extensive review of the founding team's track record.

At Code-B, we pride ourselves in being a boutique agency that specializes in a range of Python applications, armed with the relevant certifications and a skilled founding team whose background can be easily verified through both references and social media.

We also understand the importance of a thorough competency, security, execution and risk review that companies require and we're always happy to assist inbound companies with these projects

Freelancers

We recommend working with freelancers for relatively smaller Python projects only. This would include straightforward web scraping projects, data cleaning and visualization tasks.

Even simpler bot-building and web-development tasks are something that a freelancer can manage well but finding the right talent for this can be tricky.

Upwork and Fiverr are some of the better-known platforms for hiring fixed-contract freelance Python developers but we also recommend looking up talent on People Per Hour and even LinkedIn.

Know the cost for building a application with the help of python

How to Vet Your Python Service Provider?

Regardless of whether you choose to work with a freelancer or company domestically or by way of nearshoring or offshoring, here are a few questions you should ask and clarifications you must seek before choosing to work with them.

Past Clientele & References

Given the popularity of the language, it's highly likely that most agencies would carry a base level of expertise in Python, the key is to seek more information about the similarity of past projects the team has undertaken.

A track record of past development work with clientele from similar industries and solid references to back them add a lot of weightage to a competing agency's credibility

The best ones among them usually are the ones who're keen to share references and, at least a certain level of global experience is a clear mark of a capable and collaborative agency.

This holds true not just for Python, but also for other outsourced development efforts.

Certifications

While we don't strongly believe that certifications are a surefire way to gauge whether you should be working with this agency for your Python requirements, they're always good to have.

Generally, agencies that work extensively on Python should also carry some of the popular certifications like AWS certified solutions architect, Microsoft Azure developer associate, Google Cloud professional developer

Technicalities on Python

Vetting on grounds related to specific Python development knowledge can be tricky, especially for someone with a non-technical background.

Most agencies worth their salt should be comfortable with smaller projects that are simply meant to "test the waters" and a few web scraping tasks and database cleaning assignments should be enough to gauge the competency of the competing agency.

However, we strongly recommend non-technical folks to gauge the technical depth since that's pretty much all it boils down to!

Given the popularity of the language, it is generally easy to work with in-house developers and have them help out reviewing the agency's competency.

If not, we recommend hiring an external consultant, or at least doing a fair bit of research to ensure a smoother selection.

Future of Python development outsourcing

The future of Python development outsourcing is poised for continued growth and evolution, driven by the language's enduring popularity in diverse domains such as web development, data science, AI, and machine learning.

With an increasing global demand for Python expertise, outsourcing is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting this surge, leveraging remote collaboration tools and advanced project management platforms. As businesses embrace Python for specialized applications like blockchain development, data analytics, and DevOps practices, outsourcing firms may carve out niche services to cater to these specific needs.

The global talent pool will remain a key resource, and the industry is likely to witness a rise in security-focused Python outsourcing, aligned with agile methodologies for efficient and adaptive project deliveries. The interplay of automation, quality assurance, and the ever-expanding Python ecosystem will shape the landscape, making outsourcing a strategic choice for businesses seeking scalable and specialized Python development solutions.