The global admiration of blockchain technology is on top of the mountain. Businesses have started understanding its capability to make business efforts more efficient, so the worldwide blockchain infusion rate in business processes is increasing. Outsourcing blockchain technology with advanced technology can alter the traditional loopholes in business procedures, making our future more effective.
Blockchain development requires big-budget resources, so it’s hard for companies to have an in-house in-house development team. So, numerous development agencies provide blockchain development services to businesses to fill up this scarcity. However, the complex process is to choose a blockchain development outsourcer, as many factors are involved.
Outsourcing blockchain development has become a popular choice for businesses looking to leverage the benefits of this transformative technology while reducing costs and accessing specialized expertise. If you’re a beginner considering outsourcing blockchain development, this guide will provide you with a 101 overview of the process and essential factors to consider.
Read Our Blog: Beginner’s Guide to Understand Blockchain Technology
- Understand Your Requirements: Before outsourcing blockchain development, clearly define your project requirements and objectives. Determine the specific features, functionalities, and outcomes you expect from your blockchain solution. This clarity will help you communicate effectively with potential outsourcing partners.
- Research and Select a Reliable Outsourcing Partner: Conduct thorough research to identify reputable outsourcing partners with expertise in blockchain development. Look for companies with a proven track record, positive client testimonials, and a portfolio showcasing successful blockchain projects. Consider factors such as technical expertise, industry knowledge, and cultural compatibility.
- Define the Scope of Work: Work closely with your outsourcing partner to define the scope of work for your blockchain development project. Communicate your expectations, timelines, and deliverables. This will ensure both parties have a shared understanding of the project and minimize potential misunderstandings or scope creep.
- Ensure Transparent Communication: Establish effective communication channels with your outsourcing partner. Regularly scheduled meetings, progress updates, and open lines of communication are vital for mag transparency and addressing any concerns or challenges that may arise during the development process.
- Emphasize Security and Data Protection: Blockchain development often involves working with sensitive data and confidential information. Ensure your outsourcing partner has robust security measures in place to protect your data and maintain strict confidentiality. Consider their data protection policies, adherence to industry standards, and any relevant certifications they may have.
- Quality Assurance and Testing: Verify that your outsourcing partner has a robust quality assurance and testing process in place. Rigorous testing is crucial to identify and resolve any bugs, vulnerabilities, or performance issues in the blockchain solution. Discuss their testing methodologies, protocols, and how they ensure the reliability and security of the developed solution.
- Consider Long-term Support and Maintenance: Blockchain development is not a one-time endeavor. It requires ongoing support, maintenance, and updates to ensure the solution remains secure and functional. Discuss post-development support options with your outsourcing partner and ensure they have a plan for addressing future upgrades, bug fixes, and scalability needs.
- Legal and Contractual Considerations: Before entering into a contract, carefully review the legal and contractual aspects of the outsourcing engagement. Ensure that intellectual property rights, confidentiality agreements, liability clauses, and dispute resolution mechanisms are clearly defined and protect your interests.
- Manage Expectations and Milestones: Set realistic expectations and define milestones throughout the development process. Regularly monitor progress against these milestones to ensure the project stays on track. Clear communication and alignment of expectations will help build a strong working relationship with your outsourcing partner.
- Leverage Blockchain Expertise: Take advantage of the expertise and insights of your outsourcing partner. Blockchain technology is evolving rapidly, and experienced developers can guide you in making informed decisions regarding frameworks, consensus mechanisms, and industry best practices.
Outsourcing blockchain development can be a strategic decision to accelerate your project’s timeline and access specialized skills. By following this beginner’s guide and working closely with your outsourcing partner, you can maximize the benefits of blockchain technology and achieve your business objectives.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the essential steps for businesses to outsource veteran blockchain developers for their projects. After going through this guide, any business will become clear to strategize and implement their outsourcing strategy. Let’s start!
1. Specify Your Business Requirements
Before consulting a blockchain development company, it’s crucial to clarify the core requirements of your business.
Today’s businesses are more consumer-centric than the last decade’s. So, providing customers with advanced back-end procedures with user-friendly front-end features is important. Thus, defining the efficiency of a blockchain development outsourcer to meet customer-centric business is the most important thing.
When considering outsourcing blockchain development, it is essential to specify your business requirements clearly. Today’s companies are increasingly focused on providing exceptional customer experiences, which require advanced back-end procedures and user-friendly front-end features. Defining the efficiency of a blockchain development outsourcer to meet these customer-centric business needs is crucial for a successful collaboration.
Read Also: Things To Consider And Evaluate When You Hire Blockchain Development Company
- Identify Your Objectives: Before consulting a blockchain development company. Determine what you aim to achieve through blockchain technology implementation. Whether it’s enhancing security, streamlining processes, improving transparency, or creating new business models, having a clear vision will help you communicate your requirements effectively to the outsourcing partner.
- Understand Your Industry: Each industry has its unique characteristics and challenges. Selecting a blockchain development company with experience in your specific industry is essential. They should know the regulations, standards, and practices relevant to your business sector. This industry knowledge will enable them to understand your requirements better and develop tailored solutions.
- Evaluate Technical Expertise: When outsourcing blockchain development, assess the technical expertise of potential partners. Look for companies with a proven track record of successfully delivering blockchain projects. Review their portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials to gain insights into their capabilities. Consider their experience in developing blockchain solutions using different platforms, programming languages, and frameworks.
- Consider UX/UI Design Skills: User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design play a crucial role in the success of any blockchain solution. A well-designed and intuitive interface enhances usability and ensures a positive user experience. Evaluate the outsourcing partner’s expertise in UX/UI design to ensure they can create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces that align with your brand and target audience.
- Scalability and Performance: Scalability and performance are key considerations for blockchain solutions, especially if you anticipate significant growth or a high volume of transactions. Discuss their approach to scalability with the outsourcing partner, including network capacity, transaction throughput, and consensus mechanisms. Ensure they can design and develop a solution to handle your anticipated workload and accommodate future growth.
- Security and Data Privacy: Security is paramount in blockchain development. Evaluate the outsourcing partner’s approach to security and data privacy. Look for companies that follow best practices in encryption, data protection, access control, and vulnerability management. Inquire about their experience in implementing secure smart contracts and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data.
- Collaboration and Communication: Effective collaboration and communication are crucial for successful outsourcing engagements. Evaluate the outsourcing partner’s communication channels, project management methodologies, and reporting mechanisms. Ensure they have a structured approach to inform you about project progress, address concerns, and provide regular updates. Clear and transparent communication will foster a strong working relationship and ensure alignment with your business goals.
- Regulatory Compliance: Depending on your industry, regulatory compliance may be a critical requirement for your blockchain solution. Discuss with the outsourcing partner their understanding of relevant regulations with the outsourcing partner and experience developing compliant solutions. They should be able to address any specific compliance requirements and guide you through the necessary steps to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
- Support and Maintenance: Blockchain solutions require ongoing support and maintenance to ensure their smooth operation and security. Inquire about the outsourcing partner’s post-development support and maintenance services. Understand their response time for resolving issues, handling updates and upgrades, and providing technical support. A reliable support system is essential to address any unforeseen challenges and keep your blockchain solution current.
- Budget and Cost Considerations: While outsourcing blockchain development can be cost-effective, defining your budget and considering the cost implications is important. Discuss pricing models, payment terms, and any additional costs associated with maintenance, upgrades, or ongoing support costs. Evaluate the value proposition of the outsourcing partner and ensure that the costs align with the quality and expertise they offer.
By specifying your business requirements, you can effectively communicate your needs to the blockchain development company and ensure a successful outsourcing engagement. Consider factors like industry expertise, technical capabilities, user experience design, security measures, and ongoing support. A thorough evaluation will help you find the right outsourcing partner who can deliver a tailored blockchain solution that meets your business objectives.
Everything in software and application development requires user orientation, from UI/UX to payment gateway and back-end optimization. Blockchain mostly covers the back-end part; the front-end remains similar to any software development. So, defining business requirements is important to understand the technicalities or blockchain development strategies that will be required.
2. Understanding The Blockchain Essentials
Though it’s not for the outsourcing company to understand complex blockchain development processes, still that’s what can make an outsourcing company more profitable with their resources.
To distinguish between a qualified developer and a Roorkee, blockchain essentials can be greatly helpful. Let’s understand a few blockchain development facts –
Whether blockchain development looks advanced and out of the world, the majority uses everyday programming languages. Some of the blockchain development programming languages are C++, Python, Java, JS, etc. Solidity programming language is an exception that is made of basic programming languages to implement Smart Contracts.
Understanding the essentials of blockchain development is crucial, even if you are outsourcing the task to a specialized company. While it may seem like a complex and advanced field, knowing the basics can help you distinguish between a qualified blockchain developer and someone who lacks the necessary skills. Let’s delve deeper into some key facts about blockchain development.
- Programming Languages: Contrary to popular belief, blockchain development primarily utilizes everyday programming languages. Some commonly used languages include C++, Python, Java, and JavaScript. These languages provide the foundation for developing various blockchain components. However, one notable exception is Solidity, a programming language specifically designed for implementing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. Understanding the programming languages used in blockchain development can help you assess the proficiency and expertise of potential outsourcing partners.
- Smart Contracts: Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with predefined rules and conditions encoded within them. They automatically execute transactions and agreements without the need for intermediaries. Solidity, a high-level programming language, is used to write smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum. Smart contracts enable automation, transparency, and trust in various industries, such as supply chain management, finance, and healthcare. Understanding the concept of smart contracts and their role in blockchain development can help you evaluate the capabilities of blockchain developers.
- Blockchain Platforms: Blockchain development involves working with top blockchain platforms that offer varying functionalities and features. The most well-known platform is Ethereum, which supports the development of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Other popular platforms include Hyperledger Fabric, Corda, and EOS. Each platform has its strengths and limitations, and understanding the characteristics of different blockchain platforms can help you determine which one best suits your business requirements.
- Consensus Mechanisms: Consensus mechanisms are algorithms used in blockchain networks to achieve agreement on the validity of transactions and maintain the integrity of the ledger. Some commonly used consensus mechanisms include Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), and Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS). Each mechanism has its advantages and considerations, such as energy efficiency, scalability, and decentralization. Familiarizing yourself with these consensus mechanisms can help you make informed decisions when discussing blockchain development with outsourcing companies.
- Security Considerations: Security is a critical aspect of blockchain development. Blockchain networks are designed to be secure and immutable, but vulnerabilities can still exist. Understanding the security considerations in blockchain development, such as encryption, cryptographic hash functions, and private key management, will help you assess the expertise of potential outsourcing partners in ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of your blockchain-based solutions.
- Scalability and Performance: Scalability is a significant challenge in blockchain development. As the number of transactions increases, the network must be able to handle the load efficiently. Evaluating the scalability and performance capabilities of outsourcing companies is crucial to ensure that the blockchain solutions they develop can scale effectively and meet your business requirements. Consider factors such as transaction throughput, network capacity, and the ability to handle concurrent users.
- Integration with Existing Systems: If you have existing systems or databases in your organization, integrating them with blockchain-based solutions may be necessary. Understanding the process of integrating blockchain technology with your existing systems will help you assess the outsourcing company’s ability to seamlessly integrate blockchain solutions into your current infrastructure. This includes considerations such as data migration, interoperability, and API integrations.
Read Our Blog Post: A Beginner’s Guide To Hyperledger Blockchain
By familiarizing yourself with these blockchain essentials, you can effectively communicate your requirements to outsourcing companies and evaluate their expertise. This knowledge will enable you to make informed decisions and choose a reliable partner who can deliver high-quality blockchain solutions that align with your business goals. So, it’s important to understand the blockchain essentials before outsourcing blockchain developers.
3. Visit Outsourcer’s Portfolio
Every blockchain development outsourcer available on the planet definitely has a portfolio; that’s how they get clients.
Getting a suitable developer heavily depends on various factors, and a portfolio contains all clear-cut factors about the developer.
Website portfolio comes under the most practiced form of portfolio making, where developers jot down their expertise, hall of fame, awards and appraisals, and different case study projects on a website.
Every element of a portfolio has its value; researching and verifying them is important. Editing and overbrushing achievements in portfolios is a common practice, and you must be careful with your portfolio investigation to get one truly qualified blockchain developer.
One of the essential steps in outsourcing blockchain development is to carefully review the portfolio of potential service providers. Every reputable blockchain development company maintains a portfolio showcasing its expertise, achievements, and past projects. Examining their portfolio is crucial for evaluating their capabilities and finding a developer that aligns with your specific requirements. Let’s explore why the portfolio is important and what elements to consider during your evaluation.
- Website Portfolio: A website portfolio is one of the most common forms of showcasing a blockchain developer’s capabilities. It provides a comprehensive overview of their expertise, achievements, and notable projects. When reviewing a website portfolio, pay attention to the following key elements:
- Expertise and Specialization: Look for information on the blockchain platforms they are proficient in, such as Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, or Corda. Assess their experience in developing specific blockchain solutions like smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), or permission networks. Consider whether their expertise aligns with your project requirements.
- Hall of Fame and Awards: Check if the developers have received any industry recognition, awards, or certifications. This indicates their level of competence and commitment to delivering high-quality blockchain solutions.
- Case Studies and Project Showcase: Analyze the case studies and projects featured in the portfolio. Look for projects that are similar in scope or complexity to your own. Assess the types of solutions they have developed, the industries they have worked with, and the challenges they have overcome. This will give you an idea of their problem-solving abilities and their ability to deliver successful blockchain implementations.
- Client Testimonials and References: Consider the feedback and testimonials from their previous clients. Positive testimonials and references indicate client satisfaction and can provide insights into their professionalism, communication skills, and ability to meet project deadlines.
- Verification and Due Diligence: While reviewing a developer’s portfolio, it’s important to conduct thorough verification and due diligence. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Cross-Check Projects: If possible, verify the information provided in the portfolio by cross-checking the details of the showcased projects. You can reach out to the clients mentioned in the portfolio and inquire about their experience working with the developer. This will help you gain a more accurate understanding of the developer’s capabilities and the quality of their work.
- Online Presence and Reputation: Research the developer’s online presence, including their website, social media profiles, and online reviews. Look for any red flags or negative feedback that might indicate potential issues. Pay attention to their engagement with the blockchain community and their participation in relevant forums, conferences, or open-source projects.
- Team Composition and Expertise: Evaluate the expertise and qualifications of the developer’s team members. Check if they have a dedicated team of blockchain developers, architects, and consultants who can handle the complexity of your project. Consider the team’s experience, certifications, and educational background to ensure they have the necessary skills to deliver a successful blockchain solution.
By thoroughly reviewing a developer’s portfolio and conducting proper verification, you can mitigate the risks associated with outsourcing blockchain development. This process enables you to identify qualified developers who have a track record of delivering successful projects in your desired technology stack. It also helps you assess their compatibility with your project requirements, ensuring a higher chance of project success and client satisfaction
4. Researching Developer’s Portfolio
In the previous step, we discussed the importance of a portfolio and its elements. Now, there is the necessary thing to research from a portfolio –
Awards and certifications prove the viability of the developers that they serve with expertise and experience worth praising.
Outsourcers can also add their previous work experience and mention businesses where they’ve provided blockchain solutions. If those mentions justify their prowess, they should be consulted for your blockchain projects.
Case studies explain how a company has provided various development services to other companies. The general format of the case study includes a precise customer overview, development challenges, providing solutions, and post-development benefits. Developers also provide client testimonials with case studies for generating social proof and value.
Check Out Our Press Release: SoluLab Honored By GoodFirms as Winner of the Trusted Choice Award 2023
When researching a developer’s portfolio for outsourcing blockchain development, it’s important to delve deeper into certain elements to make an informed decision. While the overall portfolio provides an overview, focusing on specific aspects can give you valuable insights into their expertise and capabilities. Let’s explore some key areas to research within a developer’s portfolio.
- Awards and Certifications: Awards and certifications are a testament to the developer’s expertise and industry recognition. Look for any accolades they have received, such as industry awards, hackathon wins, or certifications from reputable organizations. These achievements demonstrate their commitment to excellence and their ability to deliver high-quality blockchain solutions.
- Previous Work Experience: Check if the developer has mentioned their previous work experience and the businesses they have provided blockchain solutions to. This information can help you gauge their industry experience and the types of projects they have worked on. If they have served reputable companies and successfully delivered blockchain solutions, it reflects their prowess and makes them a worthy candidate for your project.
- Case Studies: Case studies provide detailed insights into how the developer has successfully served other companies with their blockchain development services. These studies typically follow a structured format, including:
- Customer Overview: Understand the customer’s background, industry, and specific requirements. This helps you assess if the developer has experience in your industry or similar use cases.
- Development Challenges: Identify the challenges faced during the project, such as scalability, security, or interoperability. Assess how the developer addressed these challenges and provided effective solutions.
- Provided Solutions: Evaluate the solutions implemented by the developer to overcome the identified challenges. Look for innovative approaches, the use of appropriate blockchain platforms, and the integration of relevant technologies.
- Post-Development Benefits: Learn about the positive outcomes achieved after implementing the blockchain solution. This can include increased efficiency, cost savings, improved transparency, or enhanced security. Assess if these benefits align with your project goals.
Case studies provide real-world examples of the developer’s capabilities, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver successful blockchain implementations. They also demonstrate their understanding of specific industries and use cases, making it easier for you to assess their suitability for your project.
- Client Testimonials: Client testimonials add social proof and provide insights into the developer’s professionalism, communication skills, and ability to meet project deadlines. Pay attention to any testimonials or feedback from their previous clients included in the portfolio. Positive testimonials indicate client satisfaction and can further validate the developer’s capabilities.
Check Out Our Client Testimonial Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etpMR6XJwtc
By thoroughly researching these portfolio elements, you can gain a deeper understanding of the developer’s track record and their ability to meet your project requirements. However, it’s important to exercise caution during your research. Sometimes, portfolios may be embellished or overemphasize certain achievements. To mitigate this risk, consider the following steps:
- Cross-Check Information: If possible, cross-check the details mentioned in the portfolio. Contact the businesses or clients mentioned and inquire about their experience working with the developer. This firsthand feedback can provide a more accurate picture of the developer’s capabilities and the quality of their work.
- Online Presence and Reputation: Research the developer’s online presence, including their website, social media profiles, and online reviews. Look for any red flags, negative feedback, or inconsistencies that may warrant further investigation. Engage with the blockchain community to gather insights and recommendations about the developer’s reputation and expertise.
Other portfolio elements are helpful, but the case study ultimately helps you decide whether to enlist a blockchain development outsourcer.
5. Visit Their Online Review
Client testimonials are great, but looking for client reviews can be more beneficial to understanding the actual expertise and worth of any blockchain developer.
Websites like Clutch provide a great platform for businesses and service providers to create rapport between them. Companies make their account in Clutch, and clients are requested to post their genuine reviews on the Clutch platform. That’s how the system works.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn are tremendously helpful, as LinkedIn provides all the benefits of a business-related environment. From there, your business can understand the credibility of any blockchain developer.
In addition to client testimonials, another valuable source of information for evaluating a blockchain development outsourcer is online reviews. These reviews can provide insights into the actual expertise and worth of the developer. Let’s explore two platforms where you can find online reviews and assess the credibility of blockchain developers.
- Clutch: Clutch is a renowned online platform that facilitates the creation of rapport between businesses and service providers. Companies create their accounts on Clutch, and clients are encouraged to post genuine reviews about their experience with the service provider. The platform maintains transparency and helps potential clients make informed decisions based on real feedback.
When researching a blockchain development company on Clutch, pay attention to the following:
- Overall Rating: Check the company’s overall rating based on client reviews. A higher rating indicates a higher level of client satisfaction and can be a positive indicator of the developer’s expertise and professionalism.
- Client Reviews: Read through the client reviews to understand their specific experiences. Look for details about the developer’s communication, technical skills, adherence to deadlines, and overall project management. Positive reviews that align with your project requirements can provide reassurance about the developer’s capabilities.
- Case Studies and Projects: Explore the developer’s case studies and projects listed on their Clutch profile. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding of their expertise, the types of projects they have undertaken, and their success stories.
Clutch serves as a trusted platform for authentic reviews, providing valuable insights into the credibility and performance of blockchain development companies.
- Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, can be tremendously helpful in assessing the credibility of a blockchain developer. LinkedIn provides a business-oriented environment where professionals can showcase their skills, expertise, and accomplishments. Here’s how you can leverage social media platforms for your research:
- Company Profiles: Visit the company’s LinkedIn profile to gain insights into its size, team composition, and industry connections. Assess their level of engagement, the content they share, and their participation in relevant discussions. A strong and active LinkedIn presence can indicate a reputable and committed developer.
- Recommendations and Endorsements: Pay attention to the recommendations and endorsements on the developer’s LinkedIn profile. These endorsements provide validation from other professionals and can give you a sense of the developer’s skills and capabilities. Recommendations from clients or colleagues add further credibility.
- Engage with the Community: Participate in relevant LinkedIn groups or forums focused on blockchain development. Engage with the community by asking questions or seeking recommendations. This allows you to gather insights, opinions, and experiences from others who may have worked with the developer or have knowledge about their reputation.
By exploring online rev