White label software development could be that thing that takes your digital agency to the next level. In this piece we dive into when it’s appropriate and how it can benefit your business.
What is white label development? What’s the difference between that and software outsourcing?
Software outsourcing and software nearshoring are ways to leverage good software design, development and testing skills without the need to hire someone in-house. It allows you to grow an aspect of the business in service to a specific project, without the risks of long-term employment for what may be a temporary need. White label development services does the same thing but acting under the label of another digital agency. Kind of an outsourced outsource.
So while Code4Nord is a digital agency unto itself, we also offer white label development services to other digital agencies. These partners may be digital agencies that specialise in marketing and website design but need to offer an Android or iOS app development service to a particular client. It may also be another software development agency like us who specialises in some languages or infrastructures, but needs to leverage our expertise in perhaps .NET, Xamarin or the Microsoft Suite. Or it just may be an extra-large project that they bring in extra help for.
No matter what the circumstances, the difference between normal software outsourcing services and our white label services is clear. In the first, one or more of our Code4Nord teammates acts as a member of a technical team for a project. We represent the team and — often temporarily relocating to our mostly Nordic clients — join in on all the traditional team rituals, but as a Code4Nord consultant. When we offer white label services, this is all true, except that our team members present as completely integrated members of your digital agency team for the duration of the project.
How do you know if hiring a white label development team is right for your agency?
First and foremost we should all focus on what we do best. Being a full stack developer is a total myth. And there’s no such thing as a Jane or Jack of All Trades. And it shouldn’t be. Specialisation is a strength. It allows you to have a clear message and a clear offering to your prospects about what makes you unique. It’s what defines your UVP — unique value proposition.
But things come up that make sense to offer services outside your niche in certain situations, like:
- Trying to please a loyal client
- Testing a new area’s demand before hiring
- It’s a logical offering companion
- You want to integrate with another tool
- Something is particularly tricky
- Budget restrictions
- Time constraints
White label outsourcing allows you to fulfill a need without letting your customers experience a difference in quality or service. You keep control — not only of the project, but of budget and timetable.
It allows you the flexibility to respond to market demand but within your brand. And that work can immediately become a part of your portfolio, all the work — and bragging rights — owned by you.
This is why white label outsourcing gives you a competitive advantage.
And let’s face it, if there’s anything about the cable Internet-Phone-TV industry has taught us, people like package deals. Companies would like to invoice less rather than more. And it’s just much more convenient to talk to one point person or project manager.
White Labeling is part of Project-Based Development
As an app development company or as a digital agency, there’s a good chance you will either need to maintain or integrate with software for certain projects. But it’s unlikely you will need to maintain a product. As we move away from legacy architecture and toward more flexible, component-based architecture — like microservices, miniservices and containers — we move toward a project-based mindset. And, as developers continue to have greater choice, that means you use whatever tech fits best for the project at hand. You should focus on what you do best, but be open to learning new things.
On the other hand, you may be an expert in that certain language or architecture, but you simply have a large project. Or someone is on parental leave, sick leave, or at the holiday of a lifetime. Circumstances change and you need someone as good as your own team to join your team, but just for a predefined period of time.
Or you may want something that enhances your digital agency’s status. If 90 percent of people are accessing the Internet online via mobile, it may make sense that you either create a mobile app or at least make sure you have a very responsible mobile-friendly website. Maybe you already have an app based on Android or iOS and you need a specialist to create the other.
Similarly you may have some sort of security, infrastructure or integration need that becomes suddenly urgent, like an upgrade or a regulation to comply with. This is a great moment to bring in an expert to solve a problem. And you can continue to hire them part-time to maintain and provide support.
Plus, don’t negate the idea that an influx of new people can directly lead to an influx of innovation. The digital space we live and work in is constantly evolving. You will never be able to keep up with these trends and technological advances without increasing diversity of thought. Software outsourcing is an opportunity to have someone on your team who works in a different atmosphere and a different way. It can infuse your team with a burst of creativity. By leveraging a tech partner like us, it can be like a breath of fresh air with new tech skills blowing through your agency.
Taking advantage of white label outsourcing could be a small choice that makes a big impact for your business.