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When it comes to website quality assurance (QA), you may wonder whether to handle it internally or outsource it to an external team. Each approach also has its own advantages and challenges.
Internal QA teams are usually familiar with the company’s specific processes and can provide quicker feedback. On the other hand, outsourcing QA brings in specialised expertise and can be more cost-effective, especially for smaller businesses or one-time projects.
In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches, helping you decide if internal or outsourced website QA is the right fit for your business. Your choice will have to depend on various factors like your team’s expertise, budget, and the complexity of the project.
One of the main advantages of having an internal website QA team is that they’ll be closely aligned with your company's processes, goals, and brand. They can provide quick feedback and collaborate easily with other departments, and they’ll have a deeper understanding of your website's objectives.
However, there are downsides to handling QA internally. An internal team may lack specialised skills in certain areas, especially if QA isn't their primary role. You’ll also have to train and maintain a dedicated team, which can be costly, particularly if you have a smaller company. Additionally, an internal team may become too familiar with the project, which may result in overlooked errors.
That’s why balancing resources and expertise is key when you’re managing an internal QA team. Your team could also benefit from using an effective QA tool like QualityHive, which helps capture screenshots or recordings of bugs. It’ll allow them to collect detailed information about issues and quickly submit their feedback to web developers.
An external website QA team brings specialised knowledge and unique skills to the table. These professionals are experienced in identifying a wide range of issues, from bugs to usability problems, ensuring your website functions smoothly.
Outsourcing your website QA will help you save time and reduce the need for in-house training, which is especially valuable for complex projects. An external team will also have access to the latest QA tools and technologies, enabling them to efficiently detect and address errors.
That said, outsourcing can sometimes lead to communication challenges and slower response times, especially if the external team is in a different time zone. This is where having a task management tool could be helpful, allowing you to track and monitor the progress of each project.
When you’re comparing costs, you’ll typically find that in-house QA teams are more expensive in the long run due to salaries, training, and ongoing operational expenses. You’ll need to invest in the best QA tools, technologies, and continuous skill development to maintain your internal team’s effectiveness.
Outsourced QA services can be more budget-friendly, especially for businesses with short-term projects. You only pay for the services you need, avoiding the overhead of a permanent team. However, outsourced QA can often come with hidden costs, such as communication delays or additional revisions.
To make the right choice between internal or outsourced website QA, you’ll need to think about your project’s scope, the frequency of your QA needs, and your available resources.
When it comes to adaptability, both in-house and outsourced QA have their strengths and weaknesses.
Internal QA teams can quickly adjust to changes since they’re deeply familiar with your company’s processes and goals. This allows them to immediately respond to new priorities or project shifts. However, the key setback here is that they may not have the correct resources and expertise.
Outsourced QA teams are highly adaptable when it comes to scaling up or down as needed. They have specialised knowledge and can handle various projects, but they may require additional time to fully understand your specific needs.
When you’re choosing between internal or outsourced website QA, make sure to pick the most adaptable approach depending on your business’s flexibility and demands.
To decide between internal or outsourced website QA, you’ll need to consider your business's specific needs. First, assess your budget and find out whether you can afford the ongoing costs of an internal team such as salaries and training.
Next, think about your team’s expertise and the complexity of your website. If your internal team doesn’t have the necessary skills, outsourcing may be a better option. You should also consider your timeline, as internal teams offer quick feedback, while outsourcing may involve longer communication cycles.
Finally, ask yourself how much control you’d like to have over your projects. An internal team can give you more direct oversight, while an external team will bring fresh, unbiased perspectives.
Hopefully, you now know how to choose between internal or outsourced website QA. If you decide to build your own internal team, you’re probably keen to improve the operational efficiency of your QA department.
QualityHive is a solution that helps simplify feedback, quality assurance (QA), and web development processes for designers, developers, and agencies.
With our tool, you can track bugs, submit and receive feedback, and collaborate easily through features like instant screenshots, video recordings, and a Kanban board for task management.
Our platform captures detailed browser and device information, allowing your team to quickly address issues, reduce errors, and be more productive without using spreadsheets. It’s a simplified way to manage website feedback and action various tasks to keep your project on track.
To save hours of development time for each project, contact us or book a free trial today.
