If you have an efficient booking app, it brings your business to the 21st century. Nowadays, a website reservation system or a mobile booking app is a must-have for most industries.
Let’s look at the statistics
E-Travel industry grows by 7.5% every year. Accordingly to this fact, the researchers conclude that the market will reach $1.5B by 2023. In addition, the revenue share of sales channels of the global travel and tourism market will increase up to 72% by 2025. This includes only websites and applications for hotels and transportation. Other online scheduling software like appointment apps and scheduling websites are planned to see a similar boost.
More than 80% of bookings are made via mobile applications if are talking about travel booking. Because of that, mobile apps are the first choice for people to book tickets and organize the trip.
According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, every year people spend an average of $148 million on travel bookings online.
What is clear: this is a promising prospect for everyone that thinks about creation a booking website or app.
What are the benefits that can be delivered?
Gathering information on the clients – with the growing number of clients that like the idea of using online scheduling software, you have collecting data for personalization. It is a great opportunity to come up with special offers and increase sales.
Building the brand – booking is the first point of contact with your company and your chance to make a first good impression on the clients. If the service and online booking system are user-centricity and convenient in use, have high-quality standards and security, users will have positive feedbacks that increase the number of users and, consequently, promote your band.
Multiple revenue streams – with an online booking system, you can multiply profits via additional monetization models, such as income from fees, commissions, subscriptions, affiliate programs, ads, etc.
The article demonstrates a detailed guide on how to make a booking app that walks you through all of the essential points.
8 practices for your online booking system
Go through the following list of features to focus on some important aspects regarding how to make a booking website and app successfully. Choosing features that are essential not just for you but also for your customers is the next stage of the production cycle.
Convenient navigation, searching and reservation
User doesn’t like to waste time and wants to make a reservation, so your app should be as intelligible as possible. For better convenience, your app can also include a geolocation option, various spelling options and enable searches by different categories and filters. Good advice to eliminate zero search results by adding suggestions on locations, dates, services etc. – depends on your business.
User’s personal profile
Account page provides access to reservation history and enables custom settings, like currency, language, etc. Because of that, user page is a great place for marketing – it allows you to collect statistics, send newsletters about upcoming events or special offers and many others. However, the user registration process is a pitfall for many businesses. Here’s why: it gives the first impression and users decide if they will stay or drop the app. Make this process as easy as possible and require users to fill out only the key information. It is a great idea of authorization via social networks, for examples Facebook and Instagram, and allows a user to register with only one click.
Multi-language & global currency support
These days, online payment is a required functionality on the booking app. Before considering how to make a booking app, think over payment methods to include. It must be a safe and convenient way to book rooms, tickets, services, tours directly through an application or website. So, the process must be fast, flexible, and transparent, so be sure to include all possible payment methods, such as PayPal, credit card, cash, and design a user-friendly one-page checkout system. A reservation system that offers a secure payment portal will exactly improve your business performance. Also, auto-detected language can increase the user experience.
Data security
During the booking process, app collects a lot of sensitive information like personal information (email, phone), payment information, etc. This data can become a source of immense possibilities for hackers. One thing is clear: invest in security!
Auto-replies
Currently, automatic emails are seen as additional and mainly useful tool for business owners in various fields. Email reminders, feedback requests or tips are just a few examples of how companies improve communication with clients using modern technologies.
In-app messenger
In-app messenger is an excellent feature for any booking app, whether it is a travel booking website or appointment scheduler. For the best results, you need to have a support team shooting responses or a pre-programmed chatbot to cover customer questions. By utilizing AI and machine learning technologies, it is possible to provide instant and qualified feedback. However, note that this functionality may take a considerable amount of time and cost to implement.
Push notifications
A well-thought-out notification system makes life easier for users. Check-in and check-out alerts, friendly reminders, or recommendations can increase the level of customer satisfaction. As well, you may include weather notifications, price discounts, and other relevant notifications.
Create a booking website
For making your app perfect and increase prospects for success, the experienced business owner might want to also create a booking website. Usually, a properly built website extends the functionality and offers clients possibilities like access to information on success stories, high-resolution images, reviews, etc. When considering whether to create a booking website, think of the benefits you can get:
Presentation of the brand
SEO and digital marketing practices for promotional strategies
Insight information about user behavior and broad data collection for company strategies
Wider audience outreach that provides increasing sales because of cross- and up-selling.
Collect customer base via browser searches
So, the idea to create a booking website makes a lot of sense. It is possible to build a web platform in the first product version along with iOS and Android apps. Alternatively, you can plan to launch the booking website in a subsequent version.
Generally, any app functionality, simple or advanced, should be in line with customer expectations.
Talking a little bit about app development
It’s important to discuss and figure out what tech stack of your app, based on your requirements. Tech Stack is the group of technologies used to build mobile or web applications. It is a combination of programming languages, UX/UI design, development environment, framework, utilities, servers, tools, and services used by the development team.
Before designing an application, it is important to think about scope of your project, time to deliver the market, security perspective and scalability. Depending on these factors, you need to choose the technology solution that has the potential to solve these problems.
Important backend development
Building a stronger back-end helps to enhance your front-end as most of the tasks in the front-end are fully dependent on the back-end. Here are some important back end tasks:
API designing and documentation
API implementation
Building business logic
Database retrieval and storage
Defining permissions
Creating test script
Deployment
Keep your Front-end design simple and intuitive
Your front-end application must be clean and appealing. Here are some tips to build an amazing front-end application.
Use professional graphics designing tools
Keep the entire application design relevant and should match the concept.
Ensure there are no typography errors
Ensure relevant content should have the same design
Focus on quality rather than quantity
Try to match the original design and make the design pixel perfect
Create an app landing page showcasing the value of your application and encouraging people to download it.
That’s it
The development of a booking system is a complicated process that requires multiple details. Forward-thinking brands have applied these strategies to their campaigns to deliver the best user experiences while achieving high brand promotion. Drop us a line, and we’ll be glad to discuss your idea.
Booking apps collect sensitive information like personal and payment details. Without proper security, this data can be targeted by hackers. Investing in robust security ensures users trust your app and feel safe sharing their details.
Why should a booking app support multiple languages and currencies?
Supporting multiple languages and currencies allows users from different countries to use the app easily. This increases your app's global appeal and enhances user experience, leading to higher conversion rates.
What is the benefit of push notifications in a booking app?
Push notifications help remind users about check-ins, bookings, discounts, and more. This keeps users engaged with your app and can lead to more bookings by providing timely information.
Why is a user-friendly profile important in a booking app?
A simple and intuitive user profile makes it easier for customers to track their booking history and customize settings like language or currency. It also provides businesses with valuable insights for marketing and personalization.
According to analysts, global employers are unable to fill about 40 million IT vacancies due to a shortage of technical specialists in their region. And the situation is expected to worsen further. For example, in the USA, it is projected that by 2030, there will be a shortage of over 85 million programmers.
What to do? The solution is simple: consider an extended development team as an alternative to in-house developers.
What are these teams? What are the benefits of this approach to creating digital solutions? We will discuss this and much more in this article.
What Is an Extended Development Team?
An extended software development team consists of specialists who work together on a single project, but can be located anywhere, even in different time zones. This type of work organization is typically designed to combine the internal team with external specialists.
In other words, by involving an extended team in your project, you can gain all the advantages of outsourcing while saving budget and maintaining full control over the development process.
According to research, 92% of G2000 companies use tended teams and other forms of outsourcing. Now is the time to consider involving freelance specialists and experience all the benefits of this approach for your business.
Key Benefits of an Extended Team Model
Integrating external specialists into an internal team helps achieve even the boldest business goals through the following advantages:
Access to Global Talent Pool
Do you want to create a truly innovative product that no competitor offers? Be prepared for the fact that the local market may not have a programmer with the relevant experience. Alternatively, a lack of personnel may make it very difficult to attract the right specialist.
The number of developers varies from country to country. In fact, the difference can be significant even within the same country. For example, in the USA, the highest number of software engineers resides in California. There are over 628,000 in this state, while in Michigan and North Carolina, the number of specialists barely exceeds 100,000.
In such a situation, extended development teams can be a real lifesaver. With their help, you will be able to attract experts from any corner of the world to your project.
Cost-Effective Scaling
Hiring an employee in-house is always costly. According to numerous studies, it can cost a company anywhere from $28,000 to $35,000. And this is just the cost of provided benefits, insurance, vacation, and additional payments (such as overtime). In addition, you'll need to spend on training and onboarding staff.
Apart from the high costs, all of this takes a lot of time, and the need for scaling sometimes cannot be delayed.
However, if you consider involving external specialists, these problems can be easily avoided. A reliable provider will quickly find the right specialist, and your expenses will be limited to payment per hour or based on the actual volume of work completed.
Additionally, with the extended team model, you have another opportunity to save. This is possible due to the lack of regional constraints—as the cost of labor for developers is evaluated differently in various countries. For example, in North America, the average software development hourly rate is $77. In Eastern Europe, the same service can be obtained for $58 per hour, and in the Asia Pacific region, developers charge even less—around $28 per hour.
Faster Development and Delivery
An extended software development team helps accelerate development cycles. Here’s how this happens:
Involving developers from different time zones allows such a team to work on the project almost around the clock. Is this possible with in-house specialists? Hardly.
You can hire several extended teams to handle different tasks. They will work on the project in parallel, thereby reducing development time.
Flexibility and Adaptability
The hiring model discussed in this article allows you to be as flexible as possible when it comes to changes in project needs. Let’s break it down further.
Have the project goals changed, and you need to scale quickly? As you know, finding an external specialist is much faster than hiring an in-house employee. Additionally, you can adjust the requirements for candidates as the product evolves.
Geographical flexibility also plays a role here. If you're experiencing a shortage of the right talent in your region, you can look for experts in the required technology stack overseas. With extended development teams, anything is possible.
Hassle-Free Management
When working with external specialists, you can fully control the process of developing a digital solution. At the same time, managing such a team is economically efficient and requires less time.
Why?
When turning to trusted providers, they take on all the responsibilities for staff selection. You don’t spend time and money on searching, interviews, and hiring.
The high qualification of extended teams frees you from the need for micromanagement. This allows you to focus on project management and achieving global business goals.
Outsourcing service providers typically have established communication channels. They use specialized tools like Slack, Trello, or Jira to bridge geographical distances. Moreover, such companies often provide a project manager. It’s their responsibility to ensure smooth collaboration.
Operational Process of an Extended Development Team
To ensure the seamless integration of external specialists into your internal team, several stages of organizing updated workflows must be followed. Remember, your team is the foundation on which the creation of the software product will be based. Therefore, no detail should be overlooked.
Initial Planning Stage
This stage is crucial for the success of the project. Clear planning is the key to knowing the direction you need to move in.
It includes the following steps:
Formulating business goals. Start by defining the product you want to create and how it will benefit your business. It is also recommended to immediately outline the required features to be developed. This will help clearly define expectations for the final product and avoid misunderstandings between stakeholders and the team.
Assessing internal resources. Identify what knowledge and skills are needed to achieve the set goals. After that, assess your internal team. Are there enough specialists? Do they have the necessary expertise?
Project timeline and budget planning. Set realistic deadlines and determine the expenses you can afford. Consider development costs, project management, and potential unforeseen issues.
Choosing the collaboration model. If the project requires external developers, you have several options. Among them are outsourcing, dedicated teams, and the extended team model discussed in this article. We will discuss the differences between these three approaches later.
Risk assessment. Suppose you have chosen the extended team model. Think in advance about the risks you may face, such as communication gaps and potential time zone differences. In addition to the risks associated with engaging external specialists, consider other possible problems, including technical ones.
Finding the Right Tech Partner
Opt for a proven company with a good reputation. This guarantees that highly qualified professionals will be selected for you, whose expertise fully matches the project requirements.
Here are a few tips to help you choose a reliable provider:
Study the company’s website, focusing on its portfolio.
Read reviews about the provider online.
Compare the specialization of the potential partner with the plan for your project.
Assess the cost-to-quality ratio of the services offered.
Ensure that the company’s values align with yours.
Building the Development Team
The main task at this stage is to ensure smooth integration of the new specialists into the existing team. To do this, it is important to clearly define the roles they will perform on the project.
And a few more recommendations:
Work on staff selection together with your technical partner. This does not mean total control or direct participation in the interviews. Just stay in the loop to ensure the candidate matches your requirements as closely as possible.
Balance the size of the extended team. Make sure the number of employees corresponds to the goals of the project and its budget. A team that is too large may lead to unnecessary costs, while one that is too small can increase time-to-market.
Onboarding and Integration
This step involves introducing external specialists to the nuances of your internal processes:
Familiarization with the project specifics. Before starting work, make sure the hired developers fully understand the project’s goals and its specific requirements.
Setting up communication channels. Inform the extended development team about the communication channels used in your team. Set up tools like Slack, Trello, or Jira for project management and daily communication.
Providing access to technical infrastructure. Ensure that all team members have access to the tools necessary for efficient work. These may include version control systems, code repositories, etc.
Discussing internal procedures and rules. Communicate to the team how you plan to measure project progress, which metrics you will use to evaluate performance developers, and how often you expect feedback from them. This will help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
Establishing Clear Objectives
What do you think is the most important thing at this stage? The answer is simple. You need to ensure that both in-house and external specialists are working towards the same goal. To do this, you should:
Clearly define the project goals. This may involve creating a product from scratch, implementing new functionality, or maintaining an existing system.
Set milestones. Break the project into smaller segments. Each segment should have specific deadlines and deliverables. This will help track progress.
Define KPIs. Predefine metrics to measure the team’s performance. These should relate to both the technical characteristics of the product (e.g., code quality or delivery speed) and the achievement of business goals (e.g., return on investment).
Discuss communication issues: Frequency of meetings, reporting formats, communication channels—all of these should be discussed with the extended software development team at the very beginning of the collaboration. This will ensure you always know what stage of goal achievement you are at.
Project Kickoff and Execution
When all the details are discussed, it's time to start working on the project.
Project kickoff is the official start of collaboration. Now, the team needs to gather together (in whatever format possible), discuss the final details, and set the tone for the subsequent work.
The further work on the project includes:
Prioritizing tasks. If the team uses an agile development methodology (which is most commonly used these days), this step involves planning the upcoming sprint. Specifically, it means defining the scope of work and aligning the team’s focus.
Moving toward set goals. The team starts coding, testing, and building according to the project’s defined requirements.
Monitoring progress and making adjustments. As the team completes tasks, it is important to track the status of the project. This allows for timely identification and resolution of problems.
The success of this stage depends on how accurately the previous steps for organizing the work with the extended team were followed.
Dedicated vs Outsourcing vs. Extended Teams: A Comparative Analysis
All three terms—dedicated team, outsourcing, and extended development team—refer to outsourcing work on a project to external developers. However, there are significant differences between them. Let's explore them further.
When to Consider an Extended Development Team?
There are several situations where it makes sense to consider the extended team model.
Need for rapid scaling. Is your business growing quickly? Do you need additional staff but don’t have time for long-term hiring? An extended team can help.
Need for specific expertise. If your internal team lacks certain skills, it’s not always necessary to hire a full-time employee. You can find an external specialist who will integrate into your team and contribute to the project.
Risk of missing deadlines. Is it time to release the product, but your internal resources are exhausted? This is another reason to turn to external developers. Extra hands and minds can easily save the situation.
Limited budget. Hiring external specialists is cheaper than increasing your full-time team. This is why extended teams are optimal for startups.
A responsible project requiring personal control. Not every project can be fully outsourced. Often, the client wants to retain the right to control the development process themselves. This opportunity is exactly what extended teams provide.
Want to get the best global talent at your disposal? Need to relieve your internal team? Want to speed up time-to-market and beat your competitors? Create an extended software development team on your project, and all of this will become a reality.
Challenges of Managing an Extended Development Team
If you’ve decided to integrate external developers into your internal team, you should consider not only the benefits of this approach, but also the certain challenges that come with it. It’s better to know about these challenges in advance.
Communication Barriers. If you’re bringing in foreign specialists, be prepared for language, cultural, and time zone barriers. However, some of these can easily be turned into advantages. For example, thanks to different time zones, work on the project can continue around the clock.
Integration difficulties. External developers may use work methods different from yours. Therefore, it’s important to discuss all expectations for collaboration in advance.
Limited visibility. It can be challenging to monitor the work of remote employees as closely as you would like. To avoid this, it’s important to use reliable communication channels, reporting tools, analytics, and project management systems.
Risks related to data security. This is especially relevant for projects involving sensitive user data. To minimize risks, work only with a trusted provider who ensures the reliability of the provided staff.
Team engagement. It’s logical that full-time employees are more invested in the company’s development and the project’s success. Therefore, when bringing in external specialists, make sure to focus on their adaptation and motivation.
As you can see, with a thoughtful approach to forming extended development teams, all potential challenges can be easily overcome, leaving you in a winning position.
Future Trends in Extended Development Teams
The popularity of the extended team model in the field of software product development is gaining momentum. What transformations can we expect for this approach to organizing workflows in the near future?
Focus on the use of AI and automation. Innovative technologies will allow companies to optimize project management and minimize the risks associated with working with remote employees.
Preference for hybrid work formats. Companies will become increasingly interested in combining internal teams with external specialists. This will allow them to tap into the global talent pool while still maintaining control over processes.
Emphasis on Agile and DevOps. Recent practices show that more and more teams are abandoning classical development methodologies in favor of flexible approaches. This allows extended teams to integrate more smoothly into internal processes and stay on the same wavelength as the in-house team.
Expanded integration of specialized tools. Collaboration platforms are an essential attribute of extended development teams. As this model of cooperation spreads, new tools will emerge, and existing services will be improved.
Maximum focus on data security. This issue is critical for all companies that engage external specialists. As a result, improved security protocols will emerge, and decentralized development and blockchain will become more relevant.
In summary, the future of extended teams is closely tied to the implementation of progressive technologies, process automation, and the increasing spread of this work format.
Create Your Extended Development Team with Darly Solutions
Darly Solutions is your reliable partner in creating unique digital solutions that will become a competitive advantage and the hallmark of your business.
We are ready to strengthen your internal team with specialists in Web and mobile development, UI/UX design, and testing. A qualified project manager will seamlessly integrate our experts into your processes and ensure smooth operations.
Contact Darly Solutions for a personalized consultation and experience the full potential of an extended development team from a trusted provider.
Forbes claims the global nearshore software development services market could exceed $425 billion by 2026. Meanwhile, Forrester reveals that 39% of technology leaders are set to boost their nearshore spending, tapping into cost savings, expert skills, and geographic advantages.
The message is clear: nearshoring is here to stay. To break it down, we've outlined what nearshore software development means, its key benefits, and the signs that indicate it's time to make the switch. Let's dive in.
What is Nearshore Development Services?
Nearshore software development is an outsourcing model where companies contract app developers in a nearby country for their software projects to a third-party team in nearby countries, i.e., a country within 1-4 time zones.
How Does Nearshore Outsourcing Work?
Nearshore software outsourcing kicks off with evaluating your business processes. This allows you to spot tasks that could benefit from external expertise. After these functions are precise, set specific and measurable goals for your outsourcing project. It will guide you in finding a nearshore partner in a neighboring country.
Pick a nearby country that meets your project needs. Focus on cultural fit, language abilities, and needed technical skills. Consider the reputation, client reviews, and ability to deliver high-quality nearshore software development services. Try Clutch or Goodfirms, get referrals from your industry peers, or attend IT events to find potential vendors of nearshore development.
After you've picked the right partner, work out a detailed contract. It must outline the scope of work, timelines, deliverables, and performance metrics.
Then comes a careful transition. It features knowledge transfer and system integration, which helps ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities. Collaboration stays strong with practical communication tools and regular performance reviews. This approach fine-tunes the process and boosts strategic efficiency.
Finally, check on the completed project being delivered on schedule. It should meet the specifications and quality standards you discussed from the start, reflecting the collaboration you've built.
Advantages of Nearshore Software Development Outsourcing
Nearshore outsourcing delivers world-class software development without offshore complications. Shared time zones, cultural alignment, and easy access make it a no-brainer for businesses that want speed and agility. Read on below for more benefits of this outsourcing model:
Cost-Effectiveness
While nearshore software outsourcing may come with a higher price tag than offshore options, it offers superior quality at a reasonable cost. This model reduces travel expenses for meetings and minimizes time zone coordination costs.
For example, in healthcare, nearshore teams develop compliance-driven software without incurring the high costs typical of local development, while in manufacturing, cost-efficient nearshore solutions enhance automation and streamline supply chain management.
Cultural and Time Zone Alignment
Nearshore development teams often share similar work ethics and legal frameworks with their clients, which is particularly beneficial in industries like banking. This alignment ensures smoother regulatory compliance when handling sensitive financial transactions.
In retail, understanding regional consumer behavior is crucial for developing user-friendly e-commerce platforms. Overall, this model naturally boosts better communication and more efficient collaboration.
Access to Skilled Talent
Nearshore hubs offer a rich talent pool with expertise in niche technologies. In fintech, developers ensure secure payment processing, while gaming benefits from advanced AI and graphics specialists. Strong STEM education and digital infrastructure in Latin America and Eastern Europe produce skilled developers who bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge solutions.
Faster Time to Market
Nearshore software outsourcing shortens development cycles and accelerates time to market. Startups launch MVPs faster while telecom firms roll out software updates seamlessly. Shared time zones enable real-time feedback and problem-solving, keeping development agile and release cycles efficient.
Increased Security & IP Protection
Nearshore outsourcing provides greater legal protection compared to offshore options. In biotech and pharmaceuticals, it ensures data security when handling sensitive research information. In cybersecurity, nearshore teams enhance compliance with local data protection laws.
Nearshore vs. Other Software Development Models
Nearshore software development involves collaborating with teams in neighboring countries, usually within the same or similar time zones.
On the other hand, offshore software development is when companies hire development teams from other countries. These teams are usually located in different time zones. This model often results in lower labor costs, so it's a great choice for businesses aiming to save money.
And lastly, onshore means outsourcing software development to teams in the same country. This approach makes communication easier and ensures a better cultural fit, but it often comes with higher costs than nearshore or offshore options.
This closeness leads to better communication and collaboration, resulting in quicker feedback and more efficient project management while being more cost-effective than local hiring. Here is a breakdown of the main differences:
Nearshore vs Offshore vs Onshore: Key Differences
Key Services Offered in Nearshore Development
Looking for efficient and cost-effective software development? Nearshore teams provide top-tier services that capitalize on proximity, clear communication, and affordability, including:
Nearshore Application Development
This service focuses on developing mobile, web, or desktop applications. Nearshore developers can handle all stages of nearshore application development, from design to deployment, ensuring that applications are user-friendly and meet market demands.
Nearshore Product Development
Nearshore teams can manage the entire software product development lifecycle, including conceptualization, design, coding, testing, and launch. This service is ideal for companies creating complex software products without extensive in-house resources.
Nearshore QA and Testing
Quality assurance and testing services delivered through nearshore teams provide comprehensive coverage across manual and automated testing needs. Nearshore development services include functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and test automation implementation. Nearshore QA teams work in parallel with development cycles, ensuring rapid feedback and issue resolution. The shared time zones facilitate real-time bug reporting and verification, leading to faster quality improvements.
Nearshore Custom Software Development
This involves creating tailored software solutions to meet specific business requirements. Nearshore teams can develop software from scratch or enhance existing systems to improve functionality and efficiency.
Nearshore App Development
Mobile development services through nearshore teams cover both iOS and Android platforms, delivering native and cross-platform solutions. Services include nearshore app development, app modernization, and mobile-first transformations. Teams specialize in creating responsive, user-friendly applications while ensuring optimal performance and security. The collaborative timezone allows for swift iterations based on user feedback and market demands.
Nearshore UI/UX Design
Nearshore design teams provide comprehensive UI/UX services aligned with current nearshore development market trends and user expectations. Services include user research, wireframing, prototyping, and interactive design implementation. The proximity enables regular design reviews and quick iterations based on stakeholder feedback. Teams work closely with developers to ensure design integrity throughout implementation.
Nearshore Maintenance and Support
Maintenance and support services through nearshore teams ensure continuous system reliability and performance. Services cover bug fixes, speed improvements, security patches, and new features. The shared time zone allows for responsive support during business hours and efficient handling critical issues. Teams provide both scheduled maintenance and emergency support to maintain system stability.
When Do You Need a Nearshore Development Company?
While nearshore outsourcing offers numerous benefits, the real question is: When is the right time to switch to nearshore outsourcing? Typically, organizations turn to nearshore in times of operational hurdles. But the reasons don't end here.
Let's examine the situations that suggest your company might be ready for this transition.
Operational focus shifts away from core business needs.
As projects grow, your team may become overwhelmed, losing focus on core priorities. When that happens, it's time to reassess your strategy. This is where a nearshore software development partner can step in. For companies where software isn't a primary function, nearshore teams provide the support needed to maintain balance, ensuring that business goals and development demands align seamlessly.
Challenging resource allocation.
Finding the right software developers can be challenging if you don't have an in-house tech team. It's become even trickier when there isn't much local talent available. Some companies use freelancers or various outsourcing vendors to fill gaps. This is where nearshore development offers a better overall solution.
You have budget constraints.
If building an in-house tech team is too costly, nearshore development offers a practical alternative. Companies can scale efficiently with access to skilled developers in cost-effective regions like Central & Eastern Europe or Latin America. A nearshore partner also ensures proper resource allocation, allowing you to integrate developers into your team while controlling costs seamlessly.
Your business is scaling fast.
Expanding into new markets, businesses often need additional resources at short notice. This is particularly true for startups experiencing rapid growth. A nearshore development partner provides an efficient way to scale, offering access to top-tier developers who can tackle rising workloads and pressing projects. With vast talent networks, nearshore teams ensure seamless expansion.
How to Choose the Best Nearshore Development Partner
Basically, when you choose a nearshore software development company, start with your project needs. Then, check the developer's skills and credentials. Also, consider their way of working, how well they fit your culture, and how they communicate. The steps to finding the best fit for the project don't end here. Below, we share a detailed overview of practical ways to find the right one:
1. Clarify Your Project Scope.
The truth is, there are no two businesses alike, even in the same niche. Yet, their challenges differ, too. Before reaching out to nearshore software development teams, define your project needs.
To help vendors provide accurate proposals, include some deal-breaking questions in your Request for Proposal (RFP):
What is the scope of your project? (e.g., building from scratch or post-release support)
What specific tech stack does your project require?
Are you looking to hire an individual developer or an entire team?
2. Research Nearshore Developer Candidates.
Nearshore software developers are easy to find. Yet, without proper vetting, you risk delays, miscommunication, and subpar work. Do your homework. Find candidates with the right skills, experience, and work style to fit seamlessly into your team.
You can find potential nearshore software developers by:
Google Search. Search for "software developers" + [specific country] to find potential candidates. Then, review their websites to assess their IT services, expertise, and past projects.
Specialized Directories. Clutch features company profiles, service offerings, and client reviews, while GoodFirms highlights vendor portfolios with visuals.
LinkedIn. Search for nearshore development services, then narrow down by region and sector.
Professional Networks. Seek referrals from trusted peers and leverage proven partnerships.
IT Events. Join international or regional tech events to network with nearshore developers.
3. Verify the Developer's Credentials.
Never skip due diligence when hiring a developer. First, check their portfolio—real expertise is backed by real work—if it's missing, move on. Next, scan reviews on Clutch. Delays, misaligned projects, or budget overruns are red flags. A history of satisfied clients points to a dependable vendor.
4. Evaluate Collaboration Methods.
Nearshore outsourcing relies on structured workflows, not just shared time zones. Ask vendors how they communicate and track progress. Many use Trello, Slack, or Jira to update clients and gather feedback, but tools alone aren't enough. A solid workflow ensures efficiency and adaptability. Plus, discuss how they measure progress and refine products. A clear process minimizes miscommunication and keeps your project on track.
5. Check On Cultural Fit and Communication.
Nearshoring often offers cultural and language similarities, but there are some exceptions. Even neighboring countries can have unique work styles and languages.
For instance, Australia is 3 hours ahead of China. So, China could be a good nearshoring choice. Yet, there's a catch: many Chinese developers lack fluency in English, and their working methods can differ significantly. Therefore, for Australian clients, turning to European software companies proves to be a smarter choice, promoting smoother communication and a collaborative spirit.
6. Interview the Software Developer.
Communication can derail your project even with shared language, time zones, and culture. Therefore, an in-person interview is critical. It allows you to assess the project manager's or business lead's responses, revealing potential red flags.
Treat this interview as a deep dive into the nearshore developer's expertise. Extract insights before committing. Hiring is a long-term investment; mitigating risks upfront is essential.
These questions will help you determine if the candidate is the right fit:
What development methods do you use?
How do you keep communication clear with clients?
What tech stack and tools does your team specialize in?
How do you find and fix issues during development?
What roles and skills are needed when assembling a team for my project?
Best Nearshore Locations
Below is an overview of the best nearshore software outsourcing locations across Latin America (LATAM), Eastern Europe, and Asia, including descriptions, hourly rates, and relevant statistics.
Best Nearshore Locations in LATAM
LATAM offers skilled, cost-effective outsourcing with convenient time zones. Here is a list of top nearshore LATAM destinations:
1. Mexico
Known as North America's nearshore powerhouse, Mexico offers proximity to the U.S., cultural alignment, and a large talent pool of 220,000 tech professionals. Its bilingual workforce and growing IT sector make it a top choice for nearshore software development and IT outsourcing.
2. Brazil
Brazil is LATAM's largest economy and a leader in AI, fintech, and cloud computing. With over 500,000 developers, it is ideal for companies seeking expertise in advanced technologies.
3. Argentina
Argentina excels in English proficiency (ranked #1 in LATAM) and has a strong remote work culture. It is a cost-effective option for high-quality software development.
4. Colombia
Colombia is a rapidly growing IT outsourcing hub with government investments in STEM education. It specializes in nearshore app development, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
Best Nearshore Locations in Eastern Europe
Skilled talent, low costs, and tech expertise make this region a prime outsourcing hub. Here is the list of nearshore destinations in Eastern Europe:
1. Ukraine
Ukraine remains a strong outsourcing hub, and offers expertise in web nearshore development, mobile apps, AI, and blockchain.
2. Poland
Poland is recognized for its high-quality tech talent and strong English proficiency (ranked #16 globally). It offers robust expertise in software engineering and financial technology.
3. Moldova
Moldova is an emerging outsourcing destination with affordable rates and a growing reputation in web nearshore development and cross-platform mobile apps. Its Digital Moldova 2030 strategy supports IT growth.
4. Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Estonia:
Known as the "Digital Society Architect," Estonia excels in secure digital systems and e-governance solutions.
Latvia:
Specializes in data engineering services with a startup-friendly ecosystem.
Lithuania:
A FinTech hub with expertise in blockchain and semiconductor manufacturing.
Best Nearshore Locations in Asia
With strong English proficiency, diverse talent pools, and growing innovation hubs, Asia remains a top choice for businesses seeking efficiency and scalability. Read on for the top nearshore locations in Asia.
India
Offers the most vast talent pool and expertise in advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and cloud computing. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune are renowned IT hubs with strong infrastructure and government support for foreign investors.
Philippines
The Philippines is home to over 1,000 IT-BPO companies and ranks highly for cultural alignment with Western businesses. It excels in customer service outsourcing and mobile app development. Its high English proficiency (ranked #2 in Asia) ensures seamless communication with Western clients. Manila is a top global outsourcing hub.
Vietnam
Vietnam's IT sector grows by over 25% annually, supported by government incentives for digital transformation. It specializes in nearshore software development, mobile apps, and e-commerce solutions. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are tech hubs with growing infrastructure.
China
First, China leads globally in R&D investments and is home to major tech hubs like Shenzhen and Beijing. Moreover, it has a highly skilled workforce with expertise in AI research and hardware development but faces language barriers for Western clients. While language barriers may exist, China remains a top choice for advanced technical projects.
How to Establish a Nearshore Development Center For Long-Term Success
First, set clear, measurable goals and a detailed roadmap outlining growth and scalability for robust, long-term success. Choose a location that provides a rich pool of skilled professionals and aligns with your cultural and operational needs. Invest in state-of-the-art technology and agile project management tools to facilitate continuous feedback and iterative improvement.
By building a flexible framework that can adjust to evolving project demands and industry trends, your nearshore development center will become your organization's sustainable, high-performance extension.
Choosing the Right Nearshore Software Development Outsourcing Partner
Selecting the right outsourcing partner can make or break your project's success. Look for a partner with a strong track record in delivering custom software solutions and proven expertise in your industry.
Key factors include cultural and communication alignment, transparent processes, and a commitment to quality and security standards.
A reliable partner should offer scalable solutions, regular performance reporting, and robust security certifications to protect sensitive data.
You can secure a partner whose technical capabilities and business values align with your long-term objectives by conducting thorough due diligence and engaging in meaningful discussions.
Managing a Nearshore Software Engineering Team Effectively
Establish clear communication channels using collaboration tools like Trello, Jira, or Slack, and schedule regular check-ins to maintain alignment across all teams. Encourage an open environment where feedback is welcomed, and team members feel comfortable sharing insights and challenges.
Regular performance reviews and agile adjustment strategies help maintain high productivity and quality standards. By setting clear expectations and monitoring key performance indicators, you can integrate your nearshore team seamlessly with your in-house staff, driving consistent, exceptional results.
Nearshore Agile Development: The Key to Success
When it comes to "what is agile software development," it refers to a flexible, iterative approach to software development that focuses on collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
Unlike traditional development methodologies, which follow a linear and rigid process, agile methodologies prioritize frequent customer collaboration, iterative development cycles, and the ability to respond quickly to changes and new requirements.
Key components of nearshore agile development are:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
Working software over comprehensive documentation.
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
Responding to change by following a plan.
These principles emphasize the importance of communication, flexibility, and customer satisfaction throughout development.
Key Benefits of Nearshore Agile Software Development
Outsourcing software development brings clear benefits to businesses—faster time to market, cost optimization, and streamlined process management. But why should you choose nearshore Agile software development specifically? Let's look at four main advantages of this approach:
Adaptability
Agile development turns change into opportunity, refining products through constant iteration. Nearshore teams shift priorities instantly, adapting to market and regulatory needs while keeping development on track.
Cost-effectiveness
Nearshore Agile development helps businesses save money while delivering quality software. Short iterations ensure efficient spending, early feedback prevents costly fixes, and outsourcing cuts infrastructure and HR costs. Companies gain flexibility without unnecessary overhead.
Risks Mitigation
Traditional development risks costly missteps due to changing markets and regulations. Agile nearshoring prevents this with adaptive cycles, continuous testing, and early issue detection, ensuring smoother project execution.
Incremental Delivery
Instead of waiting months for a launch, nearshore Agile teams ship updates continuously. Microreleases and feature toggles ensure that businesses stay responsive, test features live, and quickly improve software.
Darly Solutions' Expertise in Nearshore Development
Using nearshore software development teams has its upsides and downsides. By evaluating them carefully and, most importantly, picking the right partner and nearshore development center, companies can maximize the benefits while tackling the challenges, guaranteeing successful nearshore software development.
That is where Darly Solutions comes into play. We offer a comprehensive suite of custom software nearshore development services, from medical device software to mobile healthcare apps. Enhance operational efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and gain a competitive edge—we are a trusted leader in nearshore software development.
Moreover, we leverage an agile approach combined with robust project management and transparent communication.
This ensures the seamless integration of our team with your in-house strategies. Client testimonials frequently cite our ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective digital solutions that align with long-term business goals.
Conclusion
No doubt, nearshore software development is ideal for businesses seeking cost efficiency without compromising quality or collaboration. By understanding the key differences between outsourcing models and following best practices for setting up and managing a nearshore team, you can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Partnering with an experienced provider like Darly Solutions ensures that you have the right expertise and support every step of the way. Embrace the nearshoring model today to stay competitive in the software development landscape tomorrow!
If you have an efficient booking app, it brings your business to the 21st century. Nowadays, a website reservation system or a mobile booking app is a must-have for most industries.
Let’s look at the statistics
E-Travel industry grows by 7.5% every year. Accordingly to this fact, the researchers conclude that the market will reach $1.5B by 2023. In addition, the revenue share of sales channels of the global travel and tourism market will increase up to 72% by 2025. This includes only websites and applications for hotels and transportation. Other online scheduling software like appointment apps and scheduling websites are planned to see a similar boost.
More than 80% of bookings are made via mobile applications if are talking about travel booking. Because of that, mobile apps are the first choice for people to book tickets and organize the trip.
According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, every year people spend an average of $148 million on travel bookings online.
What is clear: this is a promising prospect for everyone that thinks about creation a booking website or app.
What are the benefits that can be delivered?
Gathering information on the clients – with the growing number of clients that like the idea of using online scheduling software, you have collecting data for personalization. It is a great opportunity to come up with special offers and increase sales.
Building the brand – booking is the first point of contact with your company and your chance to make a first good impression on the clients. If the service and online booking system are user-centricity and convenient in use, have high-quality standards and security, users will have positive feedbacks that increase the number of users and, consequently, promote your band.
Multiple revenue streams – with an online booking system, you can multiply profits via additional monetization models, such as income from fees, commissions, subscriptions, affiliate programs, ads, etc.
The article demonstrates a detailed guide on how to make a booking app that walks you through all of the essential points.
8 practices for your online booking system
Go through the following list of features to focus on some important aspects regarding how to make a booking website and app successfully. Choosing features that are essential not just for you but also for your customers is the next stage of the production cycle.
Convenient navigation, searching and reservation
User doesn’t like to waste time and wants to make a reservation, so your app should be as intelligible as possible. For better convenience, your app can also include a geolocation option, various spelling options and enable searches by different categories and filters. Good advice to eliminate zero search results by adding suggestions on locations, dates, services etc. – depends on your business.
User’s personal profile
Account page provides access to reservation history and enables custom settings, like currency, language, etc. Because of that, user page is a great place for marketing – it allows you to collect statistics, send newsletters about upcoming events or special offers and many others. However, the user registration process is a pitfall for many businesses. Here’s why: it gives the first impression and users decide if they will stay or drop the app. Make this process as easy as possible and require users to fill out only the key information. It is a great idea of authorization via social networks, for examples Facebook and Instagram, and allows a user to register with only one click.
Multi-language & global currency support
These days, online payment is a required functionality on the booking app. Before considering how to make a booking app, think over payment methods to include. It must be a safe and convenient way to book rooms, tickets, services, tours directly through an application or website. So, the process must be fast, flexible, and transparent, so be sure to include all possible payment methods, such as PayPal, credit card, cash, and design a user-friendly one-page checkout system. A reservation system that offers a secure payment portal will exactly improve your business performance. Also, auto-detected language can increase the user experience.
Data security
During the booking process, app collects a lot of sensitive information like personal information (email, phone), payment information, etc. This data can become a source of immense possibilities for hackers. One thing is clear: invest in security!
Auto-replies
Currently, automatic emails are seen as additional and mainly useful tool for business owners in various fields. Email reminders, feedback requests or tips are just a few examples of how companies improve communication with clients using modern technologies.
In-app messenger
In-app messenger is an excellent feature for any booking app, whether it is a travel booking website or appointment scheduler. For the best results, you need to have a support team shooting responses or a pre-programmed chatbot to cover customer questions. By utilizing AI and machine learning technologies, it is possible to provide instant and qualified feedback. However, note that this functionality may take a considerable amount of time and cost to implement.
Push notifications
A well-thought-out notification system makes life easier for users. Check-in and check-out alerts, friendly reminders, or recommendations can increase the level of customer satisfaction. As well, you may include weather notifications, price discounts, and other relevant notifications.
Create a booking website
For making your app perfect and increase prospects for success, the experienced business owner might want to also create a booking website. Usually, a properly built website extends the functionality and offers clients possibilities like access to information on success stories, high-resolution images, reviews, etc. When considering whether to create a booking website, think of the benefits you can get:
Presentation of the brand
SEO and digital marketing practices for promotional strategies
Insight information about user behavior and broad data collection for company strategies
Wider audience outreach that provides increasing sales because of cross- and up-selling.
Collect customer base via browser searches
So, the idea to create a booking website makes a lot of sense. It is possible to build a web platform in the first product version along with iOS and Android apps. Alternatively, you can plan to launch the booking website in a subsequent version.
Generally, any app functionality, simple or advanced, should be in line with customer expectations.
Talking a little bit about app development
It’s important to discuss and figure out what tech stack of your app, based on your requirements. Tech Stack is the group of technologies used to build mobile or web applications. It is a combination of programming languages, UX/UI design, development environment, framework, utilities, servers, tools, and services used by the development team.
Before designing an application, it is important to think about scope of your project, time to deliver the market, security perspective and scalability. Depending on these factors, you need to choose the technology solution that has the potential to solve these problems.
Important backend development
Building a stronger back-end helps to enhance your front-end as most of the tasks in the front-end are fully dependent on the back-end. Here are some important back end tasks:
API designing and documentation
API implementation
Building business logic
Database retrieval and storage
Defining permissions
Creating test script
Deployment
Keep your Front-end design simple and intuitive
Your front-end application must be clean and appealing. Here are some tips to build an amazing front-end application.
Use professional graphics designing tools
Keep the entire application design relevant and should match the concept.
Ensure there are no typography errors
Ensure relevant content should have the same design
Focus on quality rather than quantity
Try to match the original design and make the design pixel perfect
Create an app landing page showcasing the value of your application and encouraging people to download it.
That’s it
The development of a booking system is a complicated process that requires multiple details. Forward-thinking brands have applied these strategies to their campaigns to deliver the best user experiences while achieving high brand promotion. Drop us a line, and we’ll be glad to discuss your idea.
Connect with us
At this stage, we get acquainted with your needs, outline the goals and desired results. We are always happy to take your project to the next level, and then beyond
We are a tech partner that delivers ingenious digital solutions, engineering and vertical services for industry leaders powered by vetted talents.
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