UX Outsourcing: A Strategy for Growth?

Definition

The Importance of UX for SaaS

Let's put it simply: you already know that UX is important for a SaaS. Otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this, right? But in an ultra-competitive market, having a good product is just the baseline. The real question is, how do you stand out?

Because, in the end, who uses your SaaS? People. With needs, problems, and goals. If your UX is complicated, frustrating, or downright incomprehensible, these people will go see if the grass is greener elsewhere. And they're right!

So, UX is just pretty design? No, it's much more than that. It's the backbone of your product. It's a smart investment that will save you costly fixes down the road. Every euro invested in a well-crafted UX is a euro earned in customer loyalty, increased conversion rates, and a positive brand image. And that's concrete. Don't you think?

Choices for UX

So, how do you give your SaaS the UX it deserves? Several paths are available to you. Not always easy to untangle, we grant you that. But don't panic, we'll take stock together:

• The front-end developer: A temporary fix? Let's say it's not necessarily their primary specialty. Ask yourself if you're willing to accept compromises on the quality of the UX. (Spoiler: often, it's not the best idea).
• The In-House UX Designer: The idea is tempting, it's true. Having a dedicated expert at your fingertips is appealing. But be careful, it can quickly add up, and finding that perfect fit takes time. Not to mention management, vacation days, etc. In short, a significant investment.
• The Freelancer: A one-time boost? It's an interesting option for specific projects, without committing in the long term. But beware of availability, coordination, and the quality of the work. Not all freelancers are equal, and it's up to you to sort through them.
• merveilleUX: Your SaaS-specialized UX partner. We support companies like yours in their UX design strategy, with services ranging from creating impactful mockups to UX audits, implementing high-performance Design Systems, and innovative Gamification strategies. And icing on the cake, we're often more competitive than a freelancer!
• The Specialized Agency: A strategic partner? It's the option that gives you access to cutting-edge expertise, a complete team, and diversified experience. Agencies have the advantage of having worked on numerous projects, which allows them to bring you innovative and proven solutions. [A friendly tip: before you commit, make sure you ask the right questions!]

In the end, the best choice will depend on your needs, your budget, and your priorities. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The important thing is to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully, and choose the one that best suits your situation.

Why Outsource UX for a SaaS Product?

The Cost of Outsourcing UX

At first glance, it often seems that hiring in-house is more cost-effective in the long run. It's a persistent misconception, we admit. But let's dig a little deeper and take a closer look at the numbers: the reality is often quite different.

On the one hand, you have the monthly salary of a full-time UX Designer (approximately €199 per day in France, according to Indeed in 2025). Except that you have to add payroll taxes, recruitment costs, continuing education, equipment, office space... In short, the bill doubles, or even more!

On the other hand, you have the daily rates of a freelancer (approximately €485 on average for an experienced profile, according to Malt in 2025) or an agency like merveilleUX (we start at attractive rates, we promise!). It may seem more expensive, it's true. But these rates already include all the costs: expertise, tools, experience... No surprises! Apart from that, a traditional agency will charge between €800 and €2000/day.

Not to mention the hidden costs of an in-house team: investments in specific tools, unforeseen expenses, potential dismissals... So many small lines that can quickly add up. So, outsourcing, an expense or a smart investment? You decide!

Don't forget: An in-house team also requires continuous investment in terms of training and skills maintenance, which can increase the bill in the long run.

Availability and Scalability

In Agile mode, your product is constantly evolving. UX must be present, but not necessarily full-time. One week, you need it 100%, the next at 20%. Managing that internally is a real headache!

In general, UX design comes before development. The UX Designer is therefore on deck at the beginning, then their workload gradually decreases. Except that when launching a new module, it starts up again with a vengeance! Difficult to organize in these conditions.

Result: either you underutilize your UX Designer, or you ask them to do tasks that are not their responsibility (which is frustrating for them and not necessarily profitable for you), or you have to part ways with them when the workload decreases and restart the recruitment process later (a waste of time and money).

A freelancer can help you occasionally, that's true. But a UX agency is a complete team at your service, capable of adapting to your needs in real time. It adjusts its "bandwidth" according to the workload, without you having to worry about human resources management. Convenient, right?

Remember: With an agency, you won't find yourself at a standstill if a freelancer isn't available. You benefit from a team ready to step in at any time.

Creativity and Expertise

We all get caught up in the details from time to time. When you've been working on a product for months, even years, you end up no longer seeing the flaws. It's human! But it's a problem for UX.

In-house teams, despite being competent, sometimes lack perspective. They are so involved in the product that they no longer see the sticking points for users. An outside perspective is a bit like a breath of fresh air: it allows you to question habits, challenge preconceived notions, and find new solutions.

Specialized agencies, for their part, have the advantage of having worked on many different projects. They've seen what works, what doesn't work, and they can bring you innovative ideas. Their objectivity is valuable for stimulating your team's creativity and solving UX problems innovatively. So, ready to step out of your comfort zone?

Keep in mind: A fresh perspective can open unsuspected doors and set you apart from the competition.

Timeliness

In the landscape of SaaS, going fast is often the key to success. UX agencies are obsessed with results and deliverables. Translation: they save you time!

When your company experiences hypergrowth, every minute counts. However, recruiting and training an in-house UX team takes weeks, even months. Precious time that you cannot afford to lose.

By outsourcing your UX, you immediately benefit from the expertise of a freelancer or a specialized agency. You can focus on the development of your product, while the agency or freelancer takes care of guaranteeing a top-notch user experience, within the set deadlines.

For startups, time is a scarce resource. Outsourcing UX Design for the prototypes and the initial versions of your product is a strategic choice. It allows you to validate your concept quickly, minimize risks, and avoid costly errors. In short, it's a growth accelerator!

Don't forget: A quick market entry can give you a crucial competitive advantage.

Outsourcing UX: What to Watch Out For?

When deciding to outsource the UX of your product, several important considerations must be taken into account to ensure successful and harmonious collaboration.

Key Factors to Consider

When choosing an agency or freelancer, don't just be guided by attractive prices. There are much more important factors to consider.

UI Design/Web-design VS Full Stack UI/UX Designer: Remember that user experience is not simply about the visual design of a website. Without in-depth research, it's impossible to create a truly effective user experience. In your initial discussions with a freelancer or agency, make sure they emphasize research, empathy, and user testing. Want an audit? Check if their approach includes an audit based on recognized heuristics such as those of Bastien & Scapin or Norman Nielsen.

What experiences and expertise? It's essential to choose external partners who have the necessary skills to meet your specific needs. Ensure that the agency or freelancer has varied and in-depth experience in UX Design, marketing, development, and UI Design. Beware of overly enticing offers that may hide a lack of real expertise. If you receive designs that your developers cannot effectively implement, your investment will have been in vain.

Remember: An investment in quality expertise can make all the difference between a mediocre product and a successful one.

The Sensitivity of Information

Protect your secrets! UX often involves sharing confidential information about your company, your users, and your strategy. Ensure that the agency or freelancer takes data security very seriously and implements adequate protection measures (data encryption, confidentiality agreements, etc.).

The Need for Company Culture and Closer Collaboration

Find your UX soulmate! Successful UX collaboration is primarily a human question. Choose a partner who understands your company culture, who shares your values, and who is willing to invest in a close and transparent collaboration. Open and regular communication is essential to ensure that everyone is on the same wavelength and that the objectives are achieved.

What About Copyrights?

Who owns the creations? When you outsource UX, the question of intellectual property can quickly become a point of contention. Clarify from the outset who holds the copyrights on the creations carried out during the project. Provide for confidentiality agreements to protect sensitive information, and agreements on the transfer of rights or the creation of collective works to avoid misunderstandings.

Conclusion

You will have understood, at merveilleUX, we don't joke around with UX! We firmly believe in values such as empathy, freedom, tolerance, adaptability, and accessibility. And we commit to embodying them in every project that we lead.

Whether you need a UX audit to uncover the weak points of your product, the design of a new module that is ultra-intuitive, the creation of mockups and prototypes that pop, the implementation of a solid Design System, or Gamification strategies to engage your users, we are here to accompany you. We adapt our services to your needs, and we offer you tailor-made solutions.

We may be the newcomers to the market, but we have already understood the challenges that SaaS companies face in terms of UX. We are determined to help you thrive and stand out. Our rates are attractive and we are super flexible to adapt to your constraints. So, ready to entrust your UX to a passionate and competent team? With our Full Stack UX Design experts by your side, your SaaS or mobile application is in good hands, ready to conquer the (digital) world!

Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve your user experience goals.